INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY

https://doi.org/10.1080/15435075.2024.2423264

Advancing floating photovoltaic systems: trends, challenges, and future directions in

sustainable energy development
Ran Haoa, Xin Suna, Yuchen Zhaob, Ru Zhangc, Hongwei Lia, and Jiahang Shanga
a
School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an, China; bCollege of Performing and Fine
Arts, China Three Gorges University, Yi’chang, China; cSchool of Finance and Economics, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiao’zuo, China

ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY

Floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems represent a promising innovation in renewable energy, utilizing Received 8 September 2024
water surfaces such as reservoirs and lakes to deploy solar panels, thereby conserving land resources and Accepted 24 October 2024
enhancing energy efficiency. This paper presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of FPV research KEYWORDS
from 2012 to 2023, highlighting key trends, technological advancements, and environmental challenges. Floating photovoltaics (FPV)
Our findings reveal a significant rise in global FPV studies post-2019, focusing primarily on system systems; hybrid energy
performance, environmental impacts, and policy development. Despite this progress, gaps remain in systems; aquatic ecosystems
long-term ecological risk assessments and international collaboration. Future research should prioritize integration; FPV efficiency
the integration of FPV with aquaculture, water resource management, and hybrid energy systems to optimization; energy-water
foster sustainable, large-scale deployment. This study provides critical insights into the evolving FPV nexus; renewable energy
landscape, offering strategic recommendations for advancing FPV technology and policy frameworks to integration
support global renewable energy goals.

1. Introduction
Amid the urgent global need for sustainable energy solutions installations and China following closely with 139. In Europe, the
and the increasing environmental challenges posed by climate FPV industry is primarily centered in the Netherlands, boasting 20
change, renewable energy technologies have become crucial projects, with Spain trailing behind with 11, and France, the UK,
components of global energy strategies (Boudghene Stambouli and Italy each hosting 9 installations. North America accounts for
and Koinuma 2012; Nijnens et al. 2023). Among these tech­ a total of 18 FPV stations, with 17 located in the United States.
nologies, Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) systems have emerged Additionally, FPV stations can be found in Israel (56), Africa (1),
as a promising innovation within the solar energy sector,
and Oceania (2).Moreover, Table 2 outlines three scenarios
leveraging water bodies such as lakes and reservoirs to deploy
depicting the potential distribution of FPV systems in artificial
solar panels on floating structures (Bamisile et al. 2023), This
reservoirs, utilizing 1%~10% of the total surface area. According to
approach not only optimizes the use of limited land resources
the table data, North America possesses 34% of the water bodies
but also offers potential benefits in terms of reduced water
and 32% of the total surface area. Assuming an area efficiency of
evaporation, improved energy efficiency through cooling
100 Wp/m2 and a solar performance ratio of 80%, its market
effects, and integration with aquaculture. With these advan­
capacity is estimated at 1260 GWp, surpassing that of the
tages, FPV systems have the potential to significantly contri­
bute to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and achieve Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America, Europe, and Oceania.
energy transition goals. FPVs optimize valuable land resources Recent years have witnessed a rapid increase in scholarly interest
by installing solar panels on floating structures across bodies of in FPV technologies, driven by the need for sustainable and
water such as lakes and reservoirs (Kopecek and Libal 2021). efficient renewable energy systems. A bibliometric analysis using
This emerging technology is categorized into two main types: CiteSpace reveals a sharp rise in the number of international
pile-fixed and purely floating systems, each presenting distinct publications on FPV, particularly post-2019, reflecting both the
advantages and limitations (Li et al. 2023; Liu et al. 2019, 2020). growing academic interest and the expansion of research topics
For instance, while pile-fixed systems may interfere with water within this field. However, despite this surge in research output,
circulation, floating systems face dynamic challenges from several critical gaps remain. Current studies often focus on specific
wind and waves (Kenkel and Bay 2018; Ren et al. 2018; aspects such as the technical performance of FPV systems, envir­
Stanek, Simla, and Gazda 2019). onmental impact assessments, or policy evaluations, but there is
Over 590 floating photovoltaic (FPV) installations have been a lack of comprehensive and systematic reviews that integrate
deployed in inland water bodies, including ponds, gravel pit lakes, these diverse perspectives. Moreover, while technological innova­
and reservoirs across 28 countries (Table 1). The majority of these tions and environmental assessments are evolving, research on
FPV projects are concentrated in Asia, with Japan hosting 249 predicting long-term ecological impacts, economic feasibility

CONTACT Xin Sun xinsunn@163.com School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, 13 Yanta Road,
Xi’an 710055, China
© 2024 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2 R. HAO ET AL.

Table 1. Numbers of floating photovoltaics completed in various countries (Nobre management is crucial for the sustainable growth of FPV
et al. 2024).
systems. By systematically investigating these questions, this
Continent Country Number
study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the
Asia Japan 249
Asia China 139
current state and future directions of FPV research. It aims to
Asia Israel 57 fill existing gaps by offering insights into technological
Asia South Korea 53 advancements, environmental impacts, and strategic policy
Asia India 25
Europe Netherlands 21
frameworks necessary for promoting sustainable and eco-
North America USA 17 friendly FPV development.In addition, no papers using
Asia Thailand 14 “CiteSpace” to analyze FPV have been found so far. In addi­
Europe Spain 11
Europe England 9
tion, no previous research has analyzed this problem based on
Europe Italy 9 keyword co-occurrence, co-citation clustering, and timeline of
Europe France 9 development. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically ana­
lyze the existing literature on FPV, which can effectively pro­
vide a comprehensive understanding of the field and support
under varying climatic conditions, and policy development for and promote the future development of FPV and sustainable
FPV systems is still in its infancy (Ziar et al. 2021). technological updates.
Reciprocally, recent trends suggest increasing attention This paper aims to address these gaps by providing
toward environmental impact assessments and the develop­ a holistic review of the FPV research landscape from 2012 to
ment of predictive models aimed at forecasting technological 2023, utilizing advanced bibliometric techniques and knowl­
and ecological outcomes (Hong and Goodchild 2014). edge mapping to analyze trends, collaborations, and future
Alternatively, fields like technology forecasting and environ­ research directions. Our study not only highlights the evolu­
mental risk assessments are still in their nascent stages. The tion of research topics and methodologies but also provides
future of FPV research will rely on a deeper understanding of a strategic framework for integrating technological advance­
technological innovations, improved integration with other ments, ecological impact assessments, and policy development
applications, and refined policy management to support the in the FPV sector. By doing so, this paper contributes to
sustainable and eco-friendly advancement of this promising a deeper understanding of the potential pathways for sustain­
sector (Allouhi et al. 2023; Pringle, Handler, and Pearce 2017). able and eco-friendly growth in the deployment of FPV sys­
Moreover, achieving sustainable development goals for FPVs tems globally.In order to make up for the gap discussed before,
will require a thorough evaluation of their potential environ­ the purpose of this paper is to : 1) solve the problem of lack of
mental impacts, as well as the development of strategies and systematic review literature in the field of FPV by combining
methods to ensure that the technology operates optimally most of the published references, analysis and visualization
without harming natural ecosystems (Ahmed et al. 2023; software; 2) FPV literature retrieval, intuitive display and ana­
Sianipar, Chao, and Hoshino 2023). lysis of the field of 12 years of history and the main hot direc­
Although FPV has gradually become a research hotspot and tion; 3) On this basis, the progress and frontier development
the number of studies is increasing, there are several note­ trends (especially the research solutions of sustainable pro­
worthy characteristics and research gaps in this field from the blems) in this field are systematically and deeply studied,
existing literature : 1)Research Question : What are the pri­ providing key review papers for researchers in this field.
mary impact mechanisms and risk factors associated with FPV
systems? Hypothesis : FPV systems significantly alter water
circulation and quality, impacting local ecosystems.; 2)
2. Literature review
Research Question : How has the research on FPV systems
evolved in terms of publication trends and collaborative net­ The research on Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) systems has
works? Hypothesis : There has been a notable increase in FPV grown substantially over the past decade, encompassing
research publications post-2019, but international collabora­ diverse topics ranging from technological innovations and
tive efforts remain limited; 3) Research Question : What are environmental impact assessments to economic and policy
the key technological and policy challenges in the sustainable analyses. Early studies in this domain predominantly focused
development of FPV systems? Hypothesis : Addressing tech­ on the engineering aspects of FPV systems, such as optimizing
nological innovation, application integration, and policy the design and deployment of floating structures to withstand

Table 2. Potential distributions of FPV on artificial reservoirs (Tina et al. 2021).

Annual potential energy generation (GWh/y)
Percentage of total surface area
Ntinent Total surface area (km2) Number of water bodies 1% 5% 10% 1% 5% 10%
Africa 101130 724 101 506 1011 167165 835824 1671648
Asia 115621 2041 116 578 1156 128691 643456 1286911
Europe 20424 1082 20 102 204 19574 97868 195736
North America 126017 2248 126 630 1260 140815 704076 1408153
Oceania 4991 254 5 25 50 6713 33565 67131
South America 36271 299 36 181 363 58151 290753 581507
Total 404454 6648 404 2022 4044 241109 2605542 5211086
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 3

wave and wind effects while maximizing solar energy capture a widely recognized software tool for visualizing and analyzing
(Cazzaniga et al. 2018). Subsequent research expanded to patterns and trends in scientific literature. Bibliometric analy­
explore the environmental implications of FPV installations, sis is a powerful method for quantitatively assessing research
including their effects on water quality, aquatic ecosystems, output, collaboration networks, and the evolution of scientific
and local climates (Pimentel Da Silva and Alves Castelo Branco fields. This section outlines the data collection process, the
2018). configuration of bibliometric tools, and the rationale for the
Despite these advancements, the current body of literature chosen methodological approach, emphasizing its rigor and
reveals several critical gaps. First, there is a lack of compre­ reliability.
hensive frameworks that systematically integrate technical, This study employed CiteSpace, a widely recognized biblio­
environmental, economic, and policy dimensions of FPV metric analysis tool, to conduct keyword co-occurrence and
development. Most studies tend to isolate these aspects, limit­ co-citation analyses of the floating photovoltaic (FPV) litera­
ing their ability to provide holistic insights into the potential ture. CiteSpace was selected for its ability to visually represent
synergies and trade-offs in FPV deployment. Second, research trends in academic research, identify emerging research fronts,
on the long-term ecological impacts of FPV systems remains and analyze the collaboration networks of influential authors
limited, with few studies addressing how changes in water and institutions. Specifically, the software enables the visuali­
temperature, light penetration, and nutrient cycles could affect zation of relationships between keywords, indicating how
aquatic ecosystems over extended periods (Wang et al. 2022). often they appear together in the literature, and maps the co-
Additionally, while the economic feasibility of FPV projects is citation patterns, highlighting which papers are frequently
a growing area of interest, existing models often fail to account cited together.
for regional differences in climatic conditions, market
dynamics, and policy environments, which can significantly
3.1. Data sources
affect the cost-effectiveness and scalability of FPV solutions
(Liu et al. 2023). The data for this study were sourced from the Web of Science
Moreover, international collaboration in FPV research (WoS) Core Collection database, which is known for its exten­
remains surprisingly underdeveloped, with most studies sive and high-quality coverage of peer-reviewed scientific pub­
being conducted within isolated national or institutional con­ lications across disciplines (Zhao, Wang, and Zhang 2021)
texts. This lack of cross-border cooperation limits the using relevant keywords, including “water surface photovol­
exchange of knowledge and best practices and reduces the taic” and “floating photovoltaic,” to ensure a comprehensive
overall impact of research outcomes. Therefore, there is retrieval of FPV-related studies (Clarivate Analytics 2019). The
a pressing need for more collaborative and comparative studies search spanned a period from January 2012 to December 2023,
that examine FPV deployment across different geographical, yielding a total of 369 papers for analysis. The choice of this
environmental, and policy contexts to provide more general­ time frame was based on the limited number of publications
ized and applicable findings. While previous research has before 2012 and the subsequent rapid growth of FPV research
largely focused on the environmental and technical perfor­ after this point. The papers were downloaded in plain text
mance of floating photovoltaic systems (FPVs), this paper format, with a focus on the “Full Record and Cited
uniquely combines CiteSpace-based bibliometric analysis References” for subsequent processing.
with an in-depth review of policy integration and cross-
sectoral applications. The novel contribution of this work lies 3.1.1. Keyword co-occurrence analysis
in its comprehensive approach to linking FPV technological For the keyword co-occurrence analysis, we extracted key­
trends with environmental risk assessments and policy man­ words from the titles and abstracts of 369 research papers on
agement frameworks, which has not been systematically FPV systems, spanning the years 2012 to 2023. These keywords
explored in the literature. Unlike previous studies that primar­ were processed using CiteSpace, which calculated the fre­
ily focus on FPV system efficiency optimization or environ­ quency of keyword co-occurrences across the dataset.
mental impact assessments in isolation, this paper integrates A threshold was set to include only keywords that appeared
policy recommendations and explores long-term ecological together in at least 10% of the papers, ensuring that only
risks in conjunction with FPV deployment strategies. This significant relationships were mapped. The resulting network
integrated approach is a novel contribution, particularly in map allowed us to identify clusters of research topics, such as
highlighting the global relevance of FPV systems within the “environmental impact,” “energy efficiency,” and “policy inte­
energy-water nexus framework. This review not only synthe­ gration,” indicating the primary focus areas in FPV research.
sizes existing knowledge but also proposes a strategic agenda
for future research that integrates technological innovation, 3.1.2. Co-citation analysis
environmental sustainability, and policy management to sup­ Co-citation analysis was also conducted to identify the
port the global development of FPV systems. seminal works that have significantly influenced FPV
research. In this analysis, papers that are cited together by
subsequent studies are identified as having a strong con­
3. Data sources and research methods
ceptual relationship. By mapping co-cited articles, we were
To provide a comprehensive overview of the trends and devel­ able to uncover key foundational works and track how the
opments in Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) research, this study research focus has shifted over time. For instance, early
employs a bibliometric analysis approach using CiteSpace, studies on FPV technology concentrated on feasibility
4 R. HAO ET AL.

assessments, whereas more recent publications have increas­ 4. Visualization analysis from knowledge mapping
ingly focused on long-term sustainability and environmen­
4.1. Annual distribution of publications in floating
tal impacts. The co-citation network revealed clusters of
photovoltaics
highly cited works.
To map the development of this research area, CiteSpace Figure 1 illustrates the annual growth in the number of pub­
software was used to create visual representations of the cita­ lications related to FPV from 2012 to 2023, highlighting
tion network (Qiu et al. 2023). The analysis period was defined a marked increase in research output, especially after 2019.
from January 2012 to December 2023, with the data segmented This sharp rise corresponds with global efforts to accelerate
into yearly intervals and examined through various lenses, renewable energy adoption and a growing recognition of
including country, author, institution, and keyword nodes. FPV’s potential to provide sustainable energy solutions while
Furthermore, the pathfinder pruning technique was employed conserving land resources. The early phase (2012–2018) shows
to refine the network slices, with all other parameters set to a steady but slow growth rate, with approximately 9–10 articles
their default values. The software facilitated co-occurrence and published annually. In contrast, the period from 2019 onwards
clustering analyses to gain a deeper understanding of the reflects an exponential increase, peaking at 101 articles in 2023.
research dynamics in this domain. Notably, the investigation This surge indicates a dynamic shift in academic interest and
commenced in 2012, given the limited amount of research on funding allocation toward FPV technology.
floating photovoltaics published prior to that year. The surge in publications on floating photovoltaics not only
reflects the field’s rapid expansion but also underscores the grow­
ing scientific influence of its research outputs. A highlight was the
emergence of several influential studies between 2013 and 2018,
3.2. Research methods
which largely concentrated on the technological potential and
Scientific knowledge mapping offers a quantitative and intui­ performance enhancements of floating photovoltaic systems.
tive way to explore intricate relationships, intersections, and For instance, R. Cazzaniga’s (Cazzaniga et al. 2018) 2018 study
developmental trajectories across different groups and ele­ offered an in-depth analysis of photovoltaic installations on float­
ments (Chakravartty 2023). In this study, we leverage the ing platforms, with the objective of enhancing the efficiency and
capabilities of CiteSpace software (Chen 2005) to generate cost-effectiveness of floating PV stations. This study introduced
visual maps through functions such as author institution solutions that incorporate additional features such as tracking,
visualization, keyword co-occurrence, emerging keywords, cooling, and concentrating mechanisms, resulting in a significant
and the evolution of temporal zones. These visualizations act improvement in efficiency due to the effects of frontal tracking
as crucial tools for pinpointing research hotspots, tracking and cooling, as well as the enhanced benefits of flat plate reflec­
evolutionary patterns, and delineating key areas within float­ tors. Furthermore, 157 citations were identified which explored
ing photovoltaic research. Furthermore, this research employs the potential of utilizing floating structures to develop integrated
conventional literature review techniques to analyze seminal air storage systems.The rapid increase in publications post-2019
papers in depth, thereby providing a comprehensive overview suggests that FPV has become a pivotal area of research within the
of the domain’s scholarly landscape. For visual analysis, broader renewable energy landscape. This trend aligns with the
CiteSpace (6.1. R6) was the primary software used, with introduction of supportive policies in key regions, technological
Excel employed for monetary analysis. advancements in solar energy, and increased awareness of climate

Figure 1. The number of published papers on water surface photovoltaic from 2012 to 2023.
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 5

change mitigation strategies. The exponential growth also indi­ but also a detailed exploration and understanding of how lead­
cates a maturing field with diverse research topics emerging, from ing researchers and their affiliations have transformed over time.
technical optimization to environmental impact assessments. The CiteSpace software was employed to configure the analysis
Future studies should focus on consolidating this growing body period, which was set from “January 2012 to December 2023.‘
of knowledge, particularly in exploring interdisciplinary Each time slice was designated to correspond to ’1 year.” The
approaches that combine engineering, environmental science, analysis focused on “author” and “institution” as the primary
and policy studies. node types. The “Pathfinder” and “Pruning sliced networks”
Another noteworthy experimental study by Antoine options were selected for network trimming, with all other set­
Descoeudres (Descoeudres et al. 2013) examined the charac­ tings left as default. This approach yielded a collaborative network
teristics and potential of silicon heterojunction solar cells. The map of authors and institutions, which is illustrated in Figure 2
findings revealed that heterojunction models on high-quality The map provides a visual representation of the publication out­
p-type wafers could achieve performance levels comparable to put and influence of each entity, with the size of the nodes
those of n-type wafers. This study encompasses a diverse range indicating the volume of output and the thickness of the connec­
of scientific disciplines, including analytical techniques, design tions between nodes representing the intensity of collaboration
considerations, and numerical simulations. It offers novel the­ among authors. The variation in node and line colors signifies the
oretical insights that can inform the advancement of floating timeline of publications (Cheng, Zhou, and Wu 2023).
photovoltaics. It is also noteworthy that these papers were According to Price’s law, the number of papers by the core
cited between 100 and 200 times. authors should be 0.749 times the square root of the number of
Furthermore, the impact of research published between 2020 papers by the author with the highest number of papers, i.e.
and 2023 is becoming increasingly evident, indicating a sustained N core = 0.749 *√Nmax.
and expanding academic interest in floating photovoltaics. This According to the statistics, the author with the most pub­
trend suggests that floating photovoltaics are increasingly lications is Tina, Giuseppe Marco of Università degli Studi di
regarded as a pivotal research focus within the renewable energy Catania, with a total of 10 publications, then we get N core =
sector. 0.749 * √10 ≈ 2.37, so the authors who have published 3 or
more articles are positioned as core authors, and there are 21
core authors in total, which accounts for 8.5% of all authors.
4.2. Analysis of researchers and their institutions
8.5% of all authors
The progression and status of principal investigators and their To gain further insight into the publication patterns of
institutions have significant implications for the field’s ecologi­ authors and institutions, we have organized the top 10
cal context. These institutions mirror the dynamic ecosystem, contributors in terms of their publication counts, listing
evolutionary pathways, and key research themes prevalent in the them in order of highest to lowest. This detailed examina­
area (Li et al. 2022). At times, such shifts can even steer the tion is designed to reveal how key research entities have
progression and orientation of associated domains. evolved over time, providing significant ecological insights
Consequently, gaining comprehensive insights into the research that could inform the anticipated growth directions of this
domain’s evolution entails not only a review of scholarly outputs field of study.

Figure 2. Visualization map of cooperation network between authors and institutions.

6 R. HAO ET AL.

This analysis, based on data from CiteSpace software, iden­ technology. The node size indicates that these institutions
tifies the key global research teams in the floating photovoltaic collaborate significantly more often or produce significantly
sector, their main areas of focus, and their notable scientific more research output than other nodes. The node colors in the
contributions. Figure 2 depicts these findings. The University network indicate that research collaborations in this area have
of Catania emerged as the leading institution by publication increased rapidly in recent years, particularly in 2023, as more
count, contributing 14 papers to the field. It is noteworthy that and more yellow nodes appear, showing the continued inter­
the research group led by Giuseppe Marco Tina stands out, national research buzz for waterborne PV (Table 3). The
with two of their studies on floating photovoltaics receiving collaboration network analysis highlights the dominance of
over 140 citations each (Cazzaniga et al. 2018; Gorjian et al. a few leading institutions in driving FPV research. However,
2020). This group has significantly advanced our understand­ the lack of extensive international collaboration points to
ing of the efficiency, environmental, and economic impacts of a missed opportunity for knowledge exchange and capacity
floating photovoltaic systems. They have explored and advo­ building, particularly in regions with similar climatic and
cated for diverse design strategies aimed at boosting the per­ environmental conditions that could benefit from shared
formance and cost efficiency of floating PV (FPV) plants. In research findings. To foster more robust and impactful
particular, they have developed FPV solutions that leverage research, future studies should aim to build stronger interna­
added functionalities, including tracking, cooling, and concen­ tional research consortia and collaborative frameworks that
tration, to enhance efficiency. This claim is supported by facilitate data sharing, joint experiments, and comparative
experimental findings that show marked improvements due studies across diverse geographic contexts.
to the cooling and tracking effects. Furthermore, they demon­
strated that FPV plants can be effectively installed over water
4.3. Publishing countries and their international partners
bodies or dam reservoirs to concurrently produce food and
power. Their research also introduced the innovative use of To analyze the global distribution of floating photovoltaic
bifacial PV modules to mitigate issues related to the transmis­ research publications, this study employed CiteSpace software
sion of solar radiation (Cazzaniga et al. 2018; Gorjian et al. to identify the contributing countries and regions (Figure 3).
2020) The analysis revealed that between 2012 and 2023, China was
Figure 2 presents the collaborative network of authors and the leading publisher in the floating photovoltaics research
institutions engaged in FPV research. The network visualiza­ domain, with a cumulative total of 47 papers. This leadership
tion reveals several prominent clusters centered around key stems from China’s dedicated focus on floating photovoltaic
research hubs, From the collaboration mapping of published project construction and photovoltaic technology advance­
authors in the research literature in the field of floating PV, the ment. It is noteworthy that in recent years, China has intro­
number of network nodes N is 268, the number of connecting duced several pivotal regulations and standards aimed at
lines E is 490, and the centrality Density is 0.0137, which promoting the development and regulation of floating photo­
indicates that there is an extensive international collaboration voltaics. These include the Ministry of Water Resources’
network in the field of surface photovoltaics. The Density of “Guidelines on Strengthening the Control of River and Lake
the cooperation network is 0.0137, which reflects that although Shoreline Spaces,” and joint guidelines by the Ministry of
there are more cooperative relationships among different insti­ Housing and Urban – Rural Development and the General
tutions, there is still some room for expansion of the overall Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and
cooperation network, in addition, large nodes, such as the Quarantine on “Design Specifications for Photovoltaic Power
University of Catania and the Indian Institute of Technology Stations,” which address site selection and environmental con­
System, occupy an important position, which shows their role siderations. Furthermore, the China Photovoltaic Industry
in the key role in advancing research in waterborne PV Association has issued three specific standards related to

Table 3. The top 10 authors and institutions in the number of published papers.
WOS

Number of Time of first Number of Time of first

publications/article publication author publications/article publication institutional
10 2021 Tina,Giuseppe Marco 14 2017 University of Catania
5 2023 Sadhu, Pradip Kumar 10 2019 Indian Institute of Technology System (IIT
System)
5 2017 Bhang, Byeong Gwan 7 2016 Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)
5 2016 Choi, Young Kwan 7 2019 Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of
Mines) Dhanbad
5 2019 Goswami, Anik 6 2017 Konkuk University
4 2017 Ahn, Hyung Keun 6 2022 Port Said University
4 2022 Elminshawy, Nabil A S 6 2016 Gachon University
5 2022 Micheli, Leonardo 5 2016 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
(CNRS)
4 2021 Scavo, Fausto 6 2022 Sapienza University Rome
Bontempo
10 2021 Tina, Giuseppe Marco 6 2016 Korea Water Resources Corporation
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 7

Figure 3. Number of articles published in the field of water surface photovoltaic in various countries around the world.

floating photovoltaics: standards for the use of high-density Government [China]., 2022), actively encouraging universities
polyethylene floats, system design (Choi et al. 2023), and and research institutions to focus on research in areas con­
system acceptance. The design specifications clearly outline ducive to carbon-neutral projects, such as floating photovol­
criteria for site selection, layout planning, and the protection taics (with participation from over 18 Chinese universities and
of water resources and the environment (Ministry of Water research institutions in this WOS dataset). For example, China
Resources of the People’s Republic of China 2022; Ministry of is a significant contributor to the construction of floating
Housing and Urban‒Rural Development of the People’s photovoltaic projects and is the global leader in terms of FPV-
Republic of China 2012; China Photovoltaic Industry generated electricity. Consequently (Nobre et al. 2024), if
Association, 2019; China Photovoltaic Industry Association a country has a high demand for FPV electricity generation,
2019; China Photovoltaic Industry Association 2019). the research focus in this area is likely to increase in line with
In light of the rapid advancements in technology and the the greater volume of research outputs.
economy, China is increasingly assuming a leading role in South Korea ranks second with 40 articles. It holds a leading
addressing various global environmental challenges. position in global photovoltaic technology (Park et al. 2013).
Furthermore, the Chinese government has committed to As part of its “Renewable Energy 3020 Implementation Plan,”
achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 (Central People’s floating photovoltaic power stations are integral to South
8 R. HAO ET AL.

Korea’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan performance and increase renewable energy utilization. The
aims for renewable energy to account for 20% of the total keyword analysis reveals a shift in research focus from purely
power generation from 2018 to 2030 (Kim, Cho, and Yim technical and economic considerations toward a more holistic
2022). It is evident that national policies can influence the approach that includes environmental and ecological risk
proportion of research institutions and companies engaged assessments. This trend underscores the need for interdisci­
in this field, thereby naturally increasing the number of pub­ plinary studies that address not only the engineering chal­
lished articles. Other countries, such as Italy (26 articles), India lenges of FPV systems but also their broader socio-
(23 articles), Spain (15 articles), and the USA (15 articles), have environmental implications. Future research should explore
also published more than 15 articles in the field of floating the development of integrated assessment models that can
photovoltaics, indicating that they are among the nations provide comprehensive evaluations of FPV systems, consider­
receiving more scientific attention and producing a greater ing factors such as life-cycle environmental impacts, economic
volume of publications in this area. feasibility, and policy compatibility.

4.4.1.1. Floating photovoltaics technology and design. The

4.4. Evolutionary trends and research hotspots
diagram illustrates that larger node sizes denote higher frequencies
4.4.1. KSM of keyword occurrences (Figure 4). From this, it can be inferred
Keywords serve as concise summaries of an article’s content, that research on floating photovoltaics has predominantly focused
offering insights into the prevailing interests and priorities on keywords such as performance (Tina and Bontempo Scavo
within a specific area (Guo et al. 2022). By analyzing the 2022; Ramteke, Singh, and Chatterjee 2020, Luo et al. 2021; Nisar
appearance and frequency of keywords, it is possible to gain et al. 2022), systems (Lee et al. 2021; Sutanto et al. 2024), renewable
insight into the evolving trends of a discipline (Li et al. 2016). (El Hammoumi et al. 2021; Liu et al. 2021), design (Jiang et al.
In order to gain further understanding, the CiteSpace software 2023), and efficiency (Rizvi et al. 2023). This highlights the sector’s
was employed to analyze keywords from 369 papers in inter­ focus on the energy performance of floating photovoltaics, along
national journals. This resulted in the generation of a keyword with the push for technological progress and equipment moder­
co-occurrence map, which showed the frequency and central­ nization. The impact of various floating PV devices on energy
ity of terms related to floating photovoltaics. This is depicted in efficiency differs, and their extensive deployment significantly
Figure 5. Among these, the term “performance” emerged pro­ influences socioeconomic energy outcomes. Furthermore, the
minently in 59 instances, indicating its status as a central structural integrity of floating modules and their connectors is
theme and suggesting that the efficiency and effectiveness of scrutinized through comprehensive finite element analyses and
floating photovoltaic systems are areas of continued interest. laboratory tests. Studies on the overall behavior of floating PV
The term “water” stands out as a pivotal node within the systems under wave conditions utilize hydroelastic analyses.
keyword network, serving as a linkage point among various Additionally, substantial efficiency improvements due to innova­
terms. Similarly, the term “renewable energy” appears 53 tive tracking and cooling strategies are underscored. The benefits
times, underscoring the sector’s emphasis on sustainability of incorporating planar reflectors into the system’s design are also
and the energetic potential of floating photovoltaic technology. examined.
The distribution of other keywords can be divided into
approximately four distinct categories, each of which reflects 4.4.1.2. Floating photovoltaics and the ecological industry
a different facet of the field of floating photovoltaics.The emer­ (haas et al. 2020). The keyword co-occurrence map for floating
gence of terms like “environmental impact,” “model,” and photovoltaics reveals a focus on terms such as benefits (Sianipar,
“simulation” reflects a growing interest in the predictive mod­ Chao, and Hoshino 2023), economic analysis (Choi et al. 2022;
eling of FPV systems’ effects on aquatic environments and Pradityo Sukarso and Kim 2020), and ponds (Wang et al. 2022),
climate change mitigation.Ranking the importance of the key­ indicating that the field of floating photovoltaics not only concerns
words, the results show keywords with significant influence on itself with the design and performance of photovoltaic systems but
the field of floating photovoltaics are: design, hydropower also with the interaction between floating photovoltaics and aqua­
reservoirs, solar energy, system, renewable energy, with the culture production. This approach extends the economic benefits
intensity of their publication being 3.05, 2.68, 2.46, 2.41, and of photovoltaics to include aquatic fisheries production, thereby
2.3, respectively. In addition, by analyzing 281 keywords, the highlighting a research interest in the synergy between photovol­
research hotspots in the field of floating research hotspots in taic energy generation and fisheries.
the field of photovoltaics. A total of 1900 pairs of co-occurring
relationships were found, indicating the diversity and com­ 4.4.1.3. Floating photovoltaics and aquatic environments.
plexity of research in this field. The keyword co-occurrence The prevalence of keywords such as plants (Cazzaniga et al.
analysis shows that performance, water and renewable energy 2017), environmental impacts (Pimentel Da Silva and Alves
are the core research themes in this field, and they co-occur Castelo Branco 2018), water quality (Wang et al. 2022), and
frequently with many other keywords, reflecting the high climate change (Kulat et al. 2023; Liu et al. 2023) indicates
interest in floating PV performance, renewable energy and a need to consider the potential impact of floating photovol­
water management. In terms of temporal distribution, research taics on environmental and ecological systems. In the context
in recent years (especially 2023) has been more focused on of aquatic environments, the widespread installation of float­
performance and renewable energy, reflecting the continued ing PV arrays alters the conditions of water surfaces, which in
exploration of floating PV technologies to optimize turn affects the energy balance and the redistribution of
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 9

Figure 4. Top 35 keywords with the strongest citation bursts.

precipitation and evaporation processes. This subsequently sustainable engineering solutions, thereby reducing the nega­
affects the nutrient cycles within the water and the productiv­ tive impact on ecosystems.
ity of aquatic flora. These changes collectively contribute to
significant ecological and environmental outcomes. 4.4.2. Research evolutionary trends
An understanding of the evolutionary path of a research
4.4.1.4. System simulation of floating photovoltaics domain provides insights into its overall research trajectory
(Nallapaneni et al. 2022; Kaplanis, Kaplani, and Kaldellis and development trends, which greatly benefit researchers in
2023; Prinsloo, Schmitz, and Lombard 2021). The imple­ selecting topics and determining research directions (Wu et al.
mentation of computer simulations prior to the construction 2017). An analysis of the research pathways in the floating
of floating photovoltaic systems offers a multitude of advan­ photovoltaic literature was conducted by employing the “time
tages that can play a pivotal role in various project phases, zone” feature of CiteSpace, resulting in a time zone map of the
including the validation and optimization of designs. By con­ research evolutionary path, as shown in Figure 5, it’s presents
ducting tests and optimizations within a virtual environment, a timeline of research evolutionary trends in the FPV field,
the likelihood of errors and modifications during the actual indicating key research shifts and emerging hotspots. The
construction process can be minimized, thereby enhancing timeline analysis identifies two distinct phases: an initial
overall efficiency. The simulation of potential issues and the focus on technical and economic optimization (2012–2018)
subsequent determination of appropriate responses in a virtual and a subsequent shift toward environmental impact assess­
setting allows for more effective project risk management. For ments and policy analysis (2019–2023). This transition reflects
large-scale projects that have an environmental impact, simu­ a broader recognition of the complex interplay between FPV
lations can assess the project’s impact on the surrounding systems and natural ecosystems, as well as the regulatory
environment. This process facilitates the development of frameworks needed to manage their deployment sustainably.
10 R. HAO ET AL.

Figure 5. Study the evolution path time zone diagram.

Between 2012 and 2018, research was primarily focused on photovoltaics and their collective impacts on surrounding
the socioeconomic benefits of floating photovoltaics and tech­ environments has deepened and widened. Increasingly, atten­
nical studies on photovoltaic technology. Representative key­ tion is being directed from solely aquatic life to encompass the
words during this period include renewable energy (Kim et al. broader ecological context, including interactions with avian
2016), energy (Perez et al. 2018), performance (Cazzaniga et al. species (Vlaswinkel, Roos, and Nelissen 2023; Ziar et al. 2021).
2018), solar energy (Bella et al. 2016), and systems (Kim, Yoon, As regulatory frameworks for floating photovoltaics become
and Choi 2017). The research focus of this phase was primarily more stringent in various countries worldwide, the focus on
on various aspects that directly or indirectly affect energy the ecological and environmental ramifications of floating
effects. The objective of the research was to enhance the energy photovoltaics is poised to emerge as a central area of interest
efficiency of photovoltaic technology. and a hotbed for future studies.The identification of these
The period between 2019 and 2023 saw a shift in research focus evolutionary trends suggests that FPV research is moving
toward the environmental and ecological impacts of floating toward a more comprehensive understanding of how these
photovoltaics, along with improvements in photovoltaic technol­ systems can be effectively integrated into existing energy and
ogy and design. Concurrently, there has been a gradual increase in environmental policies. This insight is crucial for guiding
studies on complex processes and simulations that are challenging future research, which should focus on developing adaptive
to test in the field. The keywords “model” and “design” represent management strategies, optimizing system designs for varied
the various models used in the assessment of floating photovol­ climatic conditions, and creating policy frameworks that sup­
taics, including water evaporation models (Bontempo Scavo et al. port sustainable FPV deployment.
2021), models on the impact on aquatic life (Haas et al. 2020), and By combining detailed visualizations with in-depth inter­
potential models for large-scale coverage of water bodies (Agrawal pretations, this study not only maps the current landscape of
et al. 2022). The water evaporation model can simulate changes FPV research but also provides strategic guidance for future
and trends in evaporation due to the coverage area and solar studies. Integrating technological, ecological, and policy per­
radiation absorption under the implementation of floating photo­ spectives will be essential for advancing FPV research and
voltaics, thereby estimating the relationship between photovoltaic achieving sustainable energy transition goals.
coverage and water-saving benefits. Models assessing the impact
on aquatic life are based on ecological and environmental science
research and are capable of effectively predicting the impact of
5. Research implications
floating photovoltaics on aquatic ecosystems. Currently, the
MIKE model series is widely applied and highly regarded in this The analysis of WOS literature content and development
domain (Papadimos, Demertzi, and Papamichail 2022; Peng et al. trends enables the conduct of future research on FPVs from
2023; Ramteke, Singh, and Chatterjee 2020). a systems engineering perspective. This involves more in-
As the scope of research expands and interdisciplinary depth studies on system design and integration, environmental
collaboration intensifies, the examination of floating and ecological impact assessments, economic and
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 11

sustainability analysis, and project management and compli­ During the construction and operation phases of floating
ance with policies and regulations photovoltaic power stations, a range of potential impacts on
the local ecosystem, including microclimate, water quality, and
flora and fauna, may occur. Currently, research in this area is
5.1. System design and integration
still in the exploratory stage, with a particular shortage of
The design of floating photovoltaic systems should focus on studies on the dynamics of aquatic animal populations, the
the design of the support structure adapted to the water envir­ ecological functions of aquatic microorganisms, and plant
onment, the durability of the materials and the safety of the diversity. Therefore, there is a need to systematically analyze
electrical system for operation over water in order to optimize the mechanisms of ecological system stability disturbance
the long-term stability and performance of the system (Kenkel caused by floating photovoltaic stations. It is similarly essential
and Bay 2018; Stanek, Simla, and Gazda 2019; Ziar et al. 2021). to develop and implement corresponding environmental pro­
Floating support structures for specific aquatic environments, tection and restoration technologies, as well as to establish
such as lakes (Liu et al. 2019), reservoirs, and oceans, require scientific contingency plans and measures to minimize envir­
fine designs that consider buoyancy, stability (Ren et al. 2018), onmental disturbances and maintain the stability of
and durability while minimizing environmental impact (Liu ecosystems.
et al. 2019).
It is of the utmost importance to implement continuous
5.3. Economics and sustainability
performance monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting
of standards borrowed from terrestrial PV stations in order It is important to consider the economic viability and sustain­
to ensure the long-term stability of these systems (Allouhi et al. ability of floating photovoltaics. On the one hand, a cost-
2023; Hong and Goodchild 2014; Kenkel and Bay 2018; benefit analysis should be used to assess the economic feasi­
Pringle, Handler, and Pearce 2017; Zhao, Wang, and Zhang bility of projects, including initial investment, operational and
2021). Furthermore, performance evaluation (Clarivate maintenance costs, and revenue from electricity sales (Cheng,
Analytics 2019; Qiu et al. 2023) and optimization Zhou, and Wu 2023). On the other hand, the long-term sus­
(Chakravartty 2023) will be carried out in order to predict tainability of the system must be considered (Zhao, Wang, and
energy output under various conditions, which will then be Zhang 2021), including the selection of materials (Cazzaniga
used to inform the panel layouts and tilt angles for optimal et al. 2018), energy efficiency (Gorjian et al. 2020), and recycl­
energy capture. ability(Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of
It is clear that material science and photovoltaic technology China 2022; Ministry of Housing and Urban‒Rural
advancements are imperative for enhancing the efficiency of Development of the People’s Republic of China 2012).
floating PV systems. The development of advanced materials, In the future, as the technology of floating photovoltaic
such as perovskite solar cells and multijunction solar cells, in systems matures, it is expected that their integration with
conjunction with innovative design and manufacturing tech­ other water-based uses, such as aquaculture and water purifi­
niques for floatation devices utilizing lightweight, eco-friendly cation, will be gradually realized. The economic benefits of
materials and modular designs, will enhance system stability such integrated applications have been studied initially in
and durability, while reducing costs. regions such as Japan and Southeast Asia, showing significant
potential for value enhancement. As photovoltaic technology
matures and production scales up, the cost of floating photo­
5.2. Environmental and ecological risk assessment and
voltaic systems will further decrease, significantly enhancing
control
the economic feasibility of this technology worldwide.
The design of floating photovoltaic power stations should Furthermore, the variety of financing models for floating
initially consider the natural conditions (solar resources, cli­ photovoltaic projects, including public‒private partnerships
mate conditions) and economic benefits (transport coverage, (PPPs) and green bonds, will expand to attract a greater
grid connection conditions) in order to determine suitable volume of investment.
construction sites. During the site selection process, priority
should be given to locations with appropriate levels of solar
5.4. Project management and policy regulations
radiation, wind speed, and wind-driven wave height, while also
considering the impact of water quality changes and dust The increasing prevalence of floating photovoltaic technology
accumulation on the normal operation and maintenance of and the concomitant rise in the number of projects has led to
the station. Secondly, consideration should be given to the a pressing necessity to reinforce the policy and regulatory
overall ecological benefits, with a particular focus on carbon framework pertaining to energy production and environmen­
gains. For instance, the differing impacts that the construction tal protection. This is to ensure the safety, efficacy, and envir­
of floating photovoltaic stations has on aquatic life and the onmental compatibility of these projects (Kim, Cho, and Yim
carbon sequestration capacity of water bodies in various 2022; Nobre et al. 2024; Park et al. 2013). Standardization is
regions should be taken into account. Regions that are a crucial factor in fostering the healthy development of the
expected to significantly enhance carbon sinks should there­ industry. It is therefore imperative that international and
fore be chosen. Geographic remote sensing data can be utilized domestic standards for the design, installation, operation,
to develop applications that assist governments and businesses and maintenance of, and environmental protection for, float­
in making scientific optimization decisions. ing photovoltaic systems are established without delay (China
12 R. HAO ET AL.

Photovoltaic Industry Association 2019; China Photovoltaic While this study provides valuable insights into the devel­
Industry Association 2019; China Photovoltaic Industry opment of FPV research, it is not without limitations. First, the
Association 2019). reliance on the Web of Science database, while providing
The construction of floating photovoltaic projects encom­ a high-quality dataset, may have excluded relevant studies
passes three phases: design, construction, and operation and indexed in other databases such as Scopus or Google Scholar.
maintenance. From a whole-life cycle perspective, it is essen­ Future studies could enhance robustness by incorporating
tial to consider both the green energy generation benefits multiple databases and using complementary bibliometric
and the potential negative impacts on the ecological envir­ tools. Second, the study’s focus on bibliometric analysis,
onment brought about by the construction of the station. In although effective for identifying trends and gaps, does not
order to achieve a “win-win” of economic and ecological delve deeply into qualitative aspects such as stakeholder per­
benefits, it is necessary to coordinate economic development spectives or policy implementation challenges. Future research
with environmental protection. In the future, emphasis could integrate qualitative methods, such as expert interviews
should be placed on advancing the innovation of the afore­ or case studies, to provide a more holistic understanding of the
mentioned technological research and development, inte­ field.
grated application, and management policies to achieve This study provides a comprehensive review of the trends,
healthy, green, and sustainable development of the floating themes, and future directions in FPV research using
photovoltaic industry. a bibliometric approach. The findings highlight the rapid
growth of interest in FPV systems, driven by technological
innovation and policy support, and reveal a shift toward
5.5. Global construction of floating photovoltaic
more integrated and interdisciplinary research approaches.
This study offers a novel contribution to the field of floating Key contributions of this study include identifying emerging
photovoltaic systems (FPVs), particularly by addressing the hotspots such as environmental impact assessments and policy
integration of technological innovation, environmental impact integration, as well as recognizing the need for more colla­
assessment, and policy frameworks. The findings hold signifi­ borative, cross-border research efforts.
cant value not only for regions with specific water-based Our findings suggest that FPV research is transitioning
energy needs but also in a broader global context. As the from purely technological optimizations to more holistic fra­
world transitions toward a low-carbon economy, FPV systems meworks that integrate sustainability, policy, and ecological
represent a viable solution for countries with limited land impacts. This shift opens up new research avenues, particularly
resources but abundant water surfaces, such as Japan, South in the areas of long-term environmental monitoring, region-
Korea, and various Southeast Asian nations. These regions specific policy frameworks, and the integration of FPVs with
stand to benefit from the dual advantages of renewable energy other water-based industries such as aquaculture. Future stu­
generation and water conservation. dies should build on this foundation by exploring cross-
Furthermore, the modular and scalable nature of FPV sys­ sectoral synergies, advancing technological innovations, and
tems allows for adaptation across diverse climates and geogra­ developing region-specific ecological models to enhance the
phical conditions, from tropical to temperate regions. This global applicability of FPV systems.
makes the technology highly versatile and applicable on
a global scale, regardless of a country’s specific environmental
constraints. By integrating FPVs with other water-based
6. FPV research blank at present
industries such as aquaculture, countries can achieve not 6.1. Research on the long-term ecological impact of FPV
only energy generation but also enhanced economic and eco­ systems is lacking
logical benefits, fostering greater sustainability.
While floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems offer significant
From a policy perspective, the results of this study offer
advantages in terms of renewable energy production and
crucial insights for governments and international organiza­
land conservation, they also present potential long-term eco­
tions looking to promote the adoption of renewable energy
logical risks. Such risks include the disruption of aquatic eco­
technologies. The research identifies key areas where policy
systems, alterations in water temperature and light
intervention can accelerate FPV deployment, such as through
penetration, and impacts on water quality. In view of the fact
financial incentives, regulatory frameworks, and international
that FPV technology is still in its infancy, there is an increasing
collaborations. In this way, FPVs have the potential to become
requirement for comprehensive studies that evaluate these
a critical component of the global renewable energy strategy,
risks over an extended period of time in order to guarantee
contributing to both energy security and environmental sus­
the sustainable deployment of FPV systems in a variety of
tainability on a worldwide scale.
aquatic environments.
Ultimately, this study underscores the global applicability of
The long-term ecological risks associated with FPV systems
FPV technologies, providing a foundation for future research
on regional customization and the integration of FPVs with remain poorly understood, particularly with regard to their
broader energy and environmental management systems. impact on aquatic biodiversity. The reduction in light penetra­
Future studies should focus on cross-sectoral synergies, regio­ tion caused by the floating panels could have an adverse effect
nal policy adaptation, and long-term ecological impact assess­ on the growth of photosynthetic aquatic plants, which could in
ments to fully realize the global potential of floating turn have a cascading effect on the food chain. Over time, this
photovoltaic systems. could result in a reduction in the population of fish and other
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 13

organisms that depend on these plants for food and habitat. Recent innovations in platform design have concentrated
Furthermore, the shading effects of FPV systems may alter on improving the structural stability and environmental resi­
thermal stratification in water bodies, potentially leading to lience of FPV systems. For instance, advanced materials such
decreased oxygen levels in deeper waters, which could have as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are now commonly
a negative impact on aerobic aquatic species. “These long-term employed in the construction of floating platforms due to
changes in ecosystem dynamics require further investigation.” their resistance to corrosion, UV degradation, and biofouling.
To address the current deficiencies in knowledge regarding Furthermore, modular floating designs that employ intercon­
the long-term ecological risks associated with FPV systems, it nected pontoon structures have been developed to distribute
is imperative to pursue a number of pivotal research avenues. the mechanical stress caused by wind and waves more evenly
It is imperative that long-term monitoring of FPV installations across the system, thereby reducing the risk of damage and
in a range of aquatic environments be conducted in order to improving the longevity of the installation. Such design inno­
assess the cumulative ecological effects over time. Such mon­ vations are of particular value in the context of FPV deploy­
itoring should encompass the continuous measurement of ments in coastal or open water environments, where wave
water quality parameters, including temperature, dissolved activity is more pronounced.
oxygen levels and nutrient concentrations. Furthermore, The advent of new technologies in the fields of active
experimental studies that simulate different FPV configura­ tracking and automation is also transforming the landscape
tions and their impact on various aquatic species would pro­ of FPV systems. The incorporation of Internet of Things (IoT)
vide valuable insights into the effects of these systems on devices and sensors into FPV platforms enables the real-time
biodiversity. Furthermore, comparative studies across differ­ adjustment of solar panel tilt and orientation, allowing for the
ent climatic regions, such as tropical, temperate, and arid maximization of energy capture based on weather conditions
zones, could assist in identifying region-specific risks and and solar intensity (Elminshawy et al. 2022; Elminshawy et al.
informing the development of localized mitigation strategies. 2023). Furthermore, these automated systems facilitate remote
One particular study that could be undertaken to address the monitoring and predictive maintenance, thereby reducing
current gaps in knowledge would be the installation of FPV operational costs and minimizing downtime. To illustrate,
systems in both freshwater and coastal environments, followed a smart FPV system with integrated wind and wave sensors
by a long-term ecological monitoring program. A study of this is capable of autonomously adjusting its mooring tension to
nature would be best served by an examination of changes in maintain stability during adverse weather conditions, thereby
water temperature, light penetration, and oxygen levels, in addi­ ensuring a consistent power output
tion to tracking the populations of key aquatic species, including (Elminshawy et al., 2024).
phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish. Such comprehensive mon­ The accumulation of algae and other organic materials
itoring would yield crucial data on the interactions between FPV represents a considerable challenge for FPV systems, as it can
systems and diverse aquatic ecosystems, thereby facilitating the result in a reduction in the efficiency of solar panels due to the
formulation of guidelines for the minimization of ecological risks. obstruction of sunlight. To address this issue, novel antifouling
In order to mitigate the potential long-term ecological risks technologies are being incorporated into FPV designs. As an
associated with FPV systems, a number of strategies could be illustration, advanced nanocoatings with hydrophobic proper­
implemented. For example, the design of FPV arrays could incor­ ties are being applied to solar panel surfaces with the objective
porate open spaces between panels to permit greater sunlight of preventing the accumulation of organic matter and reducing
penetration and thus reduce the impact on photosynthetic aquatic the necessity for maintenance. The potential of self-cleaning
organisms. Furthermore, floating systems could be integrated materials that utilize photocatalytic properties to decompose
with artificial wetlands or other habitat restoration techniques to contaminants under sunlight is also being investigated as
enhance biodiversity and provide refuge for species affected by the a promising solution to maintain the long-term efficiency of
shading effects of FPV installations. The implementation of these FPV systems (Reaz Sunny et al. 2024).
design and management strategies will enable the minimization of One of the most promising technological innovations in FPV
the ecological footprint of FPV systems while maintaining the systems is the integration of energy storage solutions, such as
optimal energy generation potential. lithium-ion batteries, to mitigate the intermittency of solar
power. To illustrate, the Yamakura Dam Floating Solar Power
Plant in Japan, which is one of the largest FPV installations in the
world, has been equipped with a 13.7 MW battery energy storage
6.2. Key challenges and research needs for optimizing
system (BESS) with the objective of storing surplus energy gener­
FPV technology
ated during peak sunlight hours. The stored energy is subse­
While floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems offer significant advan­ quently employed during periods of low solar irradiance, such as
tages, including efficient land use and reduced evaporation from during cloudy conditions or at night, thus ensuring a consistent
water bodies, they also present a number of technical challenges. and reliable power supply. The incorporation of BESS into FPV
These include the stability of floating platforms in response to systems serves to mitigate fluctuations in power output, while
wind and wave action, reduced energy efficiency due to fouling or simultaneously providing grid services such as frequency regula­
shading effects, and the high costs associated with mooring and tion. This integration enhances the overall efficiency and resilience
anchoring systems. Furthermore, the integration of FPV with of the energy system.
existing electrical grids and its long-term durability in diverse Furthermore, FPV systems are being deployed in conjunc­
environmental conditions remain crucial areas for improvement. tion with hydroelectric power plants to form hybrid energy
14 R. HAO ET AL.

systems, which incorporate battery storage. This configuration corrosion in water, and must be easily recyclable at the end of
is particularly advantageous in reservoirs where hydroelectric their life cycle. Another key point is electrical safety. It is
dams are present, as it allows the FPV system to utilize existing necessary to ensure that the FPV system operates safely on
electrical infrastructure. The hybrid approach allows FPV sys­ water and can be seamlessly integrated with the existing power
tems to complement hydropower generation, particularly dur­ grid. In terms of energy management, the key to the commer­
ing periods of low precipitation when water levels are low and cialization and sustainable development of FPV systems is the
hydroelectric power output is reduced. Conversely, during development of efficient energy storage and regulation strate­
periods of high water availability, the hydropower system can gies to adapt to fluctuations in power demand and integrate
provide energy when solar output is limited, thereby ensuring FPV systems with other energy systems into complementary
a steady supply of electricity. The Sobradinho Reservoir FPV energy networks. Finally, to ensure the long-term stable opera­
project in Brazil provides an illustrative example of this hybrid tion of the FPV system, perfect maintenance and fault diag­
approach, whereby 1 MW of FPV capacity has been integrated nosis strategies are particularly important for the water
with the existing 175 MW hydropower plant. This integration environment, which helps to reduce the impact on water
optimizes the utilization of the available land, enhances the ecology and activities.
generation of energy, and provides a reliable and sustainable
power supply on an ongoing basis.
The integration of FPV systems with smart grid technology 6.4. Technical challenges of stabilized floating system
represents a further significant advance in the field of energy systems
management. The utilization of digital communication tech­
nology within smart grids enables the detection and reaction to The deployment of floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems on
local fluctuations in electricity usage, thereby optimizing the water bodies renders them susceptible to a multitude of envir­
distribution of solar energy from FPV installations. To illus­ onmental forces, most notably wind and wave action. Such
trate, the Dezhou FPV project in China, which is one of the forces have the potential to significantly impact the stability
largest in the world, is linked to an intelligent grid system that and performance of FPV systems. Wind forces can cause the
modulates energy flow in real time in accordance with demand solar panels to tilt, thereby reducing their energy capture
and meteorological conditions. The integration of FPV with efficiency. Furthermore, waves can induce both vertical and
smart grids enables the redirection of surplus energy to storage horizontal movements that affect the structural integrity of the
systems or other grid-connected energy users, thereby ensur­ floating platforms. Furthermore, extended exposure to high
ing the efficient and effective utilization of solar energy. winds and waves may result in fatigue of mooring lines and
Moreover, this configuration enables grid operators to antici­ anchoring systems, thereby increasing the risk of system dis­
pate energy production patterns and make real-time adjust­ placement or damage (Mut, Kaymak, and Şahin 2024).
ments to the supply, thereby enhancing the overall stability One of the primary challenges confronting FPV systems is
and reliability of the power grid. the dynamic response of floating platforms to wave-induced
The integration of FPV systems with energy storage solu­ motion. In open water or large reservoirs, high waves can
tions markedly enhances the cost-effectiveness of renewable cause significant vertical displacement, which may result in
energy projects by reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based pea­ mechanical stress on solar panels and supporting structures.
ker plants. In California, the Agua Hedionda Lagoon FPV Similarly, wind-induced forces have the potential to tilt the
project represents a component of a broader strategy to inte­ solar arrays, which may result in a misalignment with the sun
grate floating solar with grid-scale battery storage. The system and, consequently, a reduction in energy generation efficiency.
enables the plant to provide peak power during periods of high Furthermore, in situations of extreme meteorological stress,
demand, thereby reducing the necessity for expensive, carbon- the occurrence of strong winds can result in damage to elec­
intensive peaker plants. Furthermore, the storage system trical connections and the disruption of mooring systems,
enhances the return on investment (ROI) by enabling FPV thereby leading to a state of platform instability.
operators to sell stored electricity during periods of elevated In order to mitigate the impact of wave action, floating
demand, when energy prices are typically higher. platforms can be designed with multi-pontoon structures
that distribute wave loads more evenly across the structure.
This mitigates the risk of localized stress concentrations, which
6.3. Key technical challenges and research directions for could otherwise lead to mechanical failure. Furthermore, the
the design and integration of FPVs utilization of materials such as high-density polyethylene
The design and integration of FPV systems present numerous (HDPE), which are resistant to corrosion and fatigue, can
technical challenges. These include the optimization of sup­ extend the operational lifespan of the platforms in harsh envir­
port and floating structures, the durability of materials, the onmental conditions.
safety of electrical components, the storage and management It is imperative that advanced mooring systems are
of energy, and the collaborative operation of the system. employed in order to maintain the stability of FPV platforms
Firstly, it is necessary to develop a stable and cost-effective in wind and wave conditions. The implementation of dynamic
floating structure that can adapt to different water quality and mooring systems that permit a certain degree of movement
environmental conditions (such as waves and wind loads). In can serve to diminish the stress placed on the mooring lines
addition, the materials used in FPV systems must be resistant during periods of elevated wave activity. Furthermore, the
to ultraviolet light, temperature differences and biochemical utilization of floating anchors can facilitate a greater degree
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 15

of reliability in the stabilization of reservoirs that experience intense solar radiation. Moreover, the European Union’s
notable seasonal fluctuations in water levels. Horizon 2020 program has provided financial support for
Additionally, real-time monitoring and adaptive control numerous FPV projects that involve cross-border collabora­
systems can assist in the mitigation of the effects of environ­ tions among member states, thereby facilitating the transfer of
mental forces on FPV systems. By integrating sensors that knowledge and the sharing of resources.
track wind speeds and wave heights, the system is able to adjust It seems reasonable to posit that there is significant
the tilt of the solar panels or temporarily shut down the system potential for further international collaborations that
during extreme conditions in order to prevent damage. could advance FPV technology on a global scale.
Furthermore, the sensors can also be utilized to initiate auto­ Collaborations between prominent research institutions
mated adjustments to the mooring system, thereby maintain­ and multinational corporations with expertise in water
ing stability (Lim et al. 2024). engineering, such as Siemens and GE Renewable Energy,
In conclusion, the stability of FPV systems in the presence have the potential to facilitate the development of more
of wind and wave forces represents a substantial technical sophisticated FPV systems. Furthermore, international
challenge. Nevertheless, the aforementioned challenges can organizations such as the International Energy Agency
be effectively mitigated through the implementation of (IEA) and the United Nations could play a pivotal role in
enhanced platform design, advanced mooring solutions and facilitating global standardization efforts, ensuring that
real-time monitoring technologies. As floating photovoltaic FPV systems deployed in diverse climates – from the arid
(FPV) installations are deployed in an increasing number of regions of the Middle East to the monsoon-affected areas
diverse aquatic environments, it is imperative that continued of Southeast Asia – adhere to unified performance and
innovation in stabilization techniques is pursued in order to safety standards. Such collaborative endeavors have the
guarantee the long-term success and reliability of these potential to enhance the scalability and global adoption
systems. of FPV technology.
In order to surmount the current constraints on interna­
tional FPV collaboration, it is imperative to establish global
6.5. Shortcomings in international cooperation and
research networks with a primary focus on standardization
policy development
and knowledge sharing. The establishment of an international
Despite the accelerated development of floating photovoltaic FPV consortium, analogous to those that have been formed in
(FPV) systems in recent years, the field continues to face the wind and solar energy sectors, could facilitate the exchange
constraints in the formation of international collaborative net­ of best practices, promote joint research initiatives and stream­
works. The majority of FPV research is conducted within the line the adoption of unified technical standards. Furthermore,
confines of individual countries or regions, with a paucity of enhancing accessibility to international funding mechanisms,
cross-border collaborations. This has resulted in a disparate such as those provided by the World Bank or the Green
research landscape, wherein the dissemination of knowledge Climate Fund, would facilitate greater involvement of
and technological advancements is not occurring in an optimal researchers in developing countries in global FPV research.
manner across national borders. Consequently, the advance­
ment in pivotal domains, including standardization, regulatory
6.6. Comprehensive risk assessment and management of
frameworks and large-scale deployment strategies, has been
FPV projects
more gradual than anticipated.
One of the principal constraints on international collabora­ There are several key research and practice gaps in the risk
tion in FPV research is the absence of standardized technical assessment and management of surface photovoltaic (FPV)
frameworks and regulatory guidelines. In contrast to the projects. First, there is a lack of a comprehensive risk assess­
European Union and the United States, countries such as ment framework at this stage, which should fully cover all
Japan and South Korea have established their own standards potential risks of FPV projects from planning and construction
for the deployment of floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems. to operation and maintenance. Furthermore, the effects of
This lack of harmonization impedes the capacity of researchers extreme weather events such as storms, floods and high tem­
and industry stakeholders to collaborate on large-scale inter­
peratures on the stability and durability of FPV systems
national projects. Furthermore, discrepancies in funding and
require further investigation. Additionally, system design and
resource allocation between developed and developing coun­
material selection that are more adaptable to these extreme
tries impede the formation of robust global research networks.
conditions must be explored. With the intensification of global
Nevertheless, there have been instances of fruitful interna­
tional collaboration within the field of FPV. To illustrate, the climate change, the potential impact of long-term climate
joint research initiative between Singapore’s Solar Energy change on FPV projects also necessitates systematic evaluation
Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) and Japan’s National and prediction to develop effective coping strategies.
Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Furthermore, the project’s interactions with underwater eco­
(AIST) has markedly advanced FPV technology by integrating systems, such as potential impacts on water quality and aquatic
Singapore’s expertise in tropical climate conditions with habitat, must be included in the risk assessment. Social and
Japan’s engineering proficiency in floating structures. This economic factors, especially the social acceptance and eco­
partnership has resulted in the development of more resilient nomic benefits of projects in different cultural and economic
FPV platforms capable of withstanding high humidity and contexts, also require greater attention. Formulating a detailed
16 R. HAO ET AL.

emergency response plan for FPV projects and establishing an prolonging their lifespan and improving overall system
efficient monitoring and early warning system are key mea­ efficiency.
sures for reducing project risks and improving response cap­ Floating PV systems confer a substantial benefit in terms
abilities. Finally, it is important to consider the potential of land conservation, particularly in regions where land is
impact of changes in policies and regulations, in particular scarce or costly. The utilization of the surface of water
those pertaining to subsidies, environmental protection and bodies, including reservoirs, lakes and ponds, allows for the
land use. Enhancing research in these areas is crucial to avoidance of competition with agricultural or urban land
ensuring the sustainability and success of FPV projects. uses. Furthermore, floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems can
contribute to the conservation of water resources by redu­
cing evaporation. An FPV installation on a reservoir in
6.7. Comprehensive utilization mode of FPVs and other Brazil has been demonstrated to reduce water evaporation
water applications by up to 60.2%, thereby offering a valuable solution for arid
regions facing water scarcity challenges. In contrast, land-
The current body of research on the comprehensive utilization based PV systems require extensive land use, which can
of FPV technology and other water applications, such as aqua­ result in adverse effects on the environment, including land
culture and water purification, is deficient in several respects. degradation, habitat loss, and conflicts over land allocation
In particular, there is a lack of a complete set of design and (Santos et al. 2022).
optimization models to guide the simultaneous deployment of While FPV systems offer a number of advantages, they also
FPV systems and other facilities in the same water body and to present a unique set of installation and maintenance challenges
ensure complementarity and synergy between them. that are not typically encountered with land-based PV systems.
Furthermore, the environmental impacts of the combined The installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels in aquatic envir­
use of FPV systems and other water sources, including long- onments necessitates the utilization of specialized floating plat­
term effects on water temperature, hydrochemical properties forms, mooring systems and anchoring solutions to guarantee
and benthic organisms, still require further study and clarifica­ stability in the presence of wind and wave forces. Furthermore,
tion. It is equally important to address competition issues in FPV systems are more vulnerable to biofouling, whereby algae
the use of resources, develop effective management strategies and other organic matter accumulate on the panels, which may
and reconcile conflicts of interest. Consequently, the objective result in a reduction in efficiency. It is therefore essential that
of research is to develop new technologies and dynamic sys­ regular cleaning and maintenance are carried out, which may
tems that can support the coexistence of FPV and aquaculture result in increased operational costs in comparison to land-
facilities in order to adapt to different environmental condi­ based PV systems. Furthermore, the aquatic environment
tions. It is also essential to conduct an economic and market increases the risk of corrosion for FPV installations, necessi­
feasibility analysis, which should include an evaluation of the tating the use of durable, corrosion-resistant materials.
initial investment, operating costs and potential benefits of From an economic standpoint, floating photovoltaic (FPV)
combining different water surface utilization methods. systems typically entail higher initial capital expenditures than
Furthermore, research on policy frameworks and incentives their land-based counterparts. This is largely attributed to the
should be enhanced to facilitate the comprehensive develop­ necessity for specialized floating structures and mooring sys­
ment of FPV technology and other water use methods, thereby tems. Nevertheless, in areas where land is costly or scarce, the
ensuring the efficient utilization of resources and the sustain­ land savings associated with FPV installations can render them
able development of the ecological environment. more cost-effective over time. In Japan, where land-based PV
systems encounter elevated land acquisition costs, FPV pro­
jects have exhibited a superior return on investment (ROI) due
6.8. Comparison with traditional land-based
to the effective utilization of water surfaces and the augmented
photovoltaic system
energy output. Moreover, the water conservation benefits pro­
As solar photovoltaic (PV) technology continues to evolve, vided by FPV systems in arid regions contribute to an addi­
floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems have emerged as tional layer of economic value, as these systems help mitigate
a promising alternative to traditional land-based PV systems. water loss through evaporation, which is a critical concern in
While both technologies harness solar energy to produce elec­ agriculture and drinking water supply (Elminshawy et al.
tricity, FPV systems are installed on water bodies, which pre­ 2024).
sents unique opportunities and challenges. Comparing FPV While floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems reduce land use
systems with traditional land-based PV systems provides valu­ conflicts and evaporation, they can also have negative envir­
able insights into their relative advantages, limitations, and onmental impacts on aquatic ecosystems. The shading effect of
potential applications in different contexts. FPV panels has the potential to reduce the amount of sunlight
One of the key performance advantages of FPV systems penetrating the water surface, which could in turn affect
over traditional land-based PV systems is the increased energy photosynthesis in aquatic plants and algae. Such effects may,
generation efficiency due to the natural cooling effect of water. in turn, disrupt the local food chain and alter the ecological
Studies have shown that under similar climatic conditions, balance in some water bodies. Furthermore, the establishment
FPV provides higher yield and efficiency than LPV due to of extensive FPV installations has the potential to influence
natural cooling effects (Dörenkämper et al. 2021). The cooling water temperature stratification, which could subsequently
effect serves to reduce the thermal stress on PV panels, thereby impact oxygen levels and consequently harm aquatic species.
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 17

These potential ecological impacts highlight the necessity of research on how FPV systems perform under extreme heat
conducting comprehensive environmental impact assessments and fluctuating water levels is still in its infancy. Moreover,
prior to the deployment of FPV systems, as well as the imple­ coastal areas and brackish water environments, where salinity
mentation of mitigation strategies, such as the establishment of and wave action could impact system durability, remain
buffer zones and the adjustment of panel installation density to underexplored.
minimize disruption. The diverse climatic conditions across the globe require
In summary, while floating PV systems present unique tailored approaches to FPV design, deployment, and mainte­
advantages over traditional land-based PV systems – such as nance. In tropical regions, for example, high temperatures and
improved energy efficiency, land conservation, and water humidity levels may accelerate material degradation and foul­
resource benefits – they also face greater challenges in terms ing on solar panels, necessitating the development of more
of installation complexity, maintenance, and potential envir­ durable and easy-to-clean surfaces. In arid regions, the ability
onmental impacts. Each system has its place in the broader of FPV systems to reduce water evaporation could be a critical
context of solar energy deployment: FPV systems are particu­ advantage, but the extreme heat could also challenge the cool­
larly well-suited for regions with abundant water resources and ing effect that water bodies provide to the panels. Coastal and
limited land availability, while land-based PV systems remain brackish water environments pose additional challenges,
the preferred option in areas where land is readily available including corrosion due to saltwater and the need for robust
and maintenance simplicity is a priority. By strategically com­ mooring systems to withstand tidal forces and waves. These
bining both technologies, energy planners can maximize the conditions highlight the need for geographically diverse stu­
potential of solar energy to meet growing electricity demands dies to optimize FPV technologies for a wide range of environ­
while addressing local environmental and land use mental contexts.
considerations. To address these gaps, future research should focus on
expanding FPV deployment across a wider range of climatic
and geographic conditions. Pilot projects in tropical regions
6.9. Discussion on geographical diversity of floating
such as Southeast Asia, arid zones like the Middle East, and
photovoltaics
coastal environments should be prioritized to understand how
Current research on floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems tends FPV systems can be adapted to withstand extreme weather,
to be geographically concentrated in a few regions, particularly fluctuating water levels, and other environmental challenges.
in East Asia and parts of Europe. Countries such as Japan, International collaboration will be essential to gather compre­
South Korea, China, and the Netherlands have led the way in hensive data on the performance of FPV systems in different
deploying FPV systems, primarily on inland water bodies like environments, enabling the development of more resilient and
reservoirs and lakes. These regions have benefited from well- adaptable technologies.
developed renewable energy infrastructure and government In conclusion, the geographic diversity of FPV research is
policies that encourage the adoption of innovative solar tech­ critical to unlocking the full potential of this emerging tech­
nologies. However, this geographic concentration means that nology. While current studies have provided valuable insights
FPV research has been limited to certain climates and envir­ into the performance of FPV systems in temperate and devel­
onmental conditions, leaving significant gaps in our under­ oped regions, much remains to be learned about how these
standing of how these systems perform in other parts of the systems can be adapted to function in a wider variety of
world. climates and water conditions. Expanding the geographic
Japan and South Korea have been pioneers in FPV devel­ scope of FPV research will not only enhance the resilience
opment, with several large-scale installations such as the and efficiency of the technology but also ensure that it can be
Yamakura Dam project in Japan, which has a capacity of deployed globally to address the world’s growing energy and
13.7 MW. These countries have taken advantage of their water resource challenges.
numerous reservoirs and inland water bodies to install FPV
systems. Similarly, the Netherlands has implemented FPV
6.10. Key themes and future directions
projects in freshwater lakes, leveraging its extensive experience
in water management and renewable energy. However, while The field of Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) research is rapidly
these regions have demonstrated the technical feasibility and evolving, driven by the need to develop sustainable energy
economic viability of FPV systems, the findings from these solutions that maximize resource efficiency while minimizing
projects are primarily applicable to temperate climates with environmental impacts. This section summarizes the key
relatively stable water levels and moderate weather conditions. research themes that have emerged in the FPV domain and
Despite the successes in East Asia and Europe, there is outlines potential future directions to advance this promising
a noticeable lack of FPV research and installations in other field.
critical geographical regions. For instance, few studies have
examined the potential for FPV systems in tropical regions, 6.10.1. Key themes in current FPV research
where high humidity, intense solar radiation, and the risk of Current FPV research is primarily centered around several
extreme weather events such as hurricanes may present unique interconnected themes: 1. Technological Optimization and
challenges. Similarly, arid and semi-arid regions with large- Innovation: A significant portion of FPV studies focuses on
scale reservoirs, such as those in the Middle East and North optimizing the design and performance of floating solar
Africa, offer significant potential for FPV deployment, yet systems. This includes the development of more durable
18 R. HAO ET AL.

and efficient floating structures, enhanced solar panel best practices, and data necessary for advancing the field.
materials (e.g., bifacial and heterojunction solar cells), Strengthening global research networks and fostering inter­
and innovative cooling and tracking mechanisms that max­ national partnerships are essential for leveraging collective
imize energy capture. Research in this area aims to address expertise and addressing common challenges.
the unique challenges posed by water-based installations,
such as wave impact, wind loads, and biofouling. 2. 6.10.3. Future research directions
Environmental Impact Assessments: Another major theme To address these challenges and capitalize on the potential of
in FPV research involves evaluating the ecological and FPV systems, several future research directions are recom­
environmental implications of deploying FPV systems on mended: 1. Conduct Long-Term Environmental Monitoring
various water bodies. Studies have explored the effects of and Impact Studies: Future research should prioritize long­
FPVs on water quality, aquatic life, and local climates, itudinal studies that monitor the environmental impacts of
highlighting both potential benefits (e.g., reduced evapora­ FPV systems over time. This could involve developing stan­
tion and algal blooms) and risks (e.g., habitat disruption dardized methodologies for assessing impacts across differ­
and changes in thermal stratification). However, there is ent types of water bodies and ecological settings. Such
still a lack of long-term studies that comprehensively assess studies will be crucial for informing regulatory frameworks
the cumulative ecological impacts of FPV installations and ensuring that FPV systems are deployed sustainably. 2.
across different ecosystems. 3. Economic Feasibility and Develop Integrated Assessment Models: There is a need for
Policy Frameworks: The economic viability of FPV projects more sophisticated models that integrate technical, environ­
is a critical area of inquiry, particularly regarding cost- mental, economic, and social dimensions of FPV deploy­
benefit analyses that consider capital investment, mainte­ ment. These models should be capable of providing
nance costs, electricity prices, and government incentives. comprehensive assessments of FPV systems’ life-cycle
Moreover, policy studies have explored regulatory frame­ impacts, including carbon footprints, economic returns,
works that support FPV deployment, such as feed-in tar­ social acceptance, and policy alignment. Integrating machine
iffs, tax credits, and environmental standards. These learning and simulation techniques could enhance these
studies underscore the importance of aligning economic models’ predictive power and applicability. 3. Strengthen
incentives with sustainable energy goals. 4. International Cooperation and Multidisciplinary Research:
Interdisciplinary Integration and Collaboration: FPV Enhancing international collaboration is vital for fostering
research is increasingly recognizing the need for interdis­ innovation and accelerating FPV adoption. Future research
ciplinary approaches that integrate engineering, environ­ should encourage the formation of global consortia that
mental science, economics, and policy studies. bring together researchers, policymakers, and industry sta­
Collaborative efforts across disciplines are essential to keholders to conduct comparative studies, share data, and
develop holistic solutions that address the multifaceted develop standardized guidelines for FPV deployment. 4.
challenges associated with FPV systems. Explore Hybrid and Multifunctional FPV Systems:
Research should explore the potential of hybrid FPV systems
6.10.2. Challenges and unresolved issues that combine solar energy generation with other uses of
Despite these advancements, several critical challenges and water bodies, such as aquaculture, water purification, or
gaps persist in the FPV research landscape: 1. Lack of Long- recreational activities. Such multifunctional approaches
Term Ecological Impact Studies: Most existing studies on could enhance the economic viability and public acceptance
the environmental impacts of FPV systems are short-term of FPV projects, particularly in densely populated or
and localized, limiting their ability to predict long-term resource-constrained areas.
ecological outcomes. There is a pressing need for longitudi­
nal studies that examine the effects of FPV installations on 6.10.4. Policy implications and strategic recommendations
aquatic ecosystems over extended periods, considering fac­ While the global adoption of floating photovoltaic (FPV) tech­
tors such as water temperature changes, light penetration, nology is gaining momentum, the regulatory frameworks gov­
nutrient cycling, and biodiversity shifts. 2. Regional erning its deployment remain inconsistent and often
Adaptation of Economic and Technical Models: Current insufficient. Current policies tend to focus on land-based
economic feasibility models often do not account for the renewable energy systems, neglecting the unique challenges
regional variability in climatic conditions, market dynamics, and opportunities presented by FPV. These regulatory gaps
and regulatory environments. As a result, there is a gap in include a lack of standardized environmental assessment pro­
understanding how FPV systems can be optimized and cedures, insufficient incentives for FPV investment, and lim­
scaled up in diverse contexts. Future research should focus ited guidance on integrating FPV with existing water resource
on developing adaptable models that are sensitive to regional management strategies. To fully realize the potential of FPV
differences and can provide more accurate assessments of systems, governments must develop tailored regulatory frame­
FPV projects’ economic viability and sustainability. 3. works that address these challenges.
Limited International Collaboration and Knowledge One of the key policy recommendations is the establish­
Exchange: The analysis of collaboration networks indicates ment of international technical standards for FPV systems.
that most FPV research is concentrated within specific These standards should cover areas such as platform design,
countries or regions, with limited international cooperation. mooring and anchoring systems, and the integration of FPV
This isolation can hinder the exchange of innovative ideas, with existing electrical grids. By adopting a standardized
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 19

approach, governments can facilitate the scaling of FPV tech­ 7. Conclusions

nology and reduce the risks associated with non-compliant
This study provides a comprehensive overview of the advance­
installations. International organizations such as the
ments and challenges in Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) systems
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) could play
through a combination of bibliometric analysis and an
a pivotal role in developing these standards, ensuring that FPV
exploration of technological innovations, environmental
systems deployed in diverse geographical conditions adhere to
impacts, and policy frameworks. The analysis highlights sig­
uniform safety and performance criteria.
nificant trends in FPV research, particularly after 2019, reflect­
To support the sustainable deployment of FPV systems,
ing the increasing global focus on sustainable energy solutions
regulatory frameworks should include clear guidelines for
and supportive policy measures.
conducting environmental impact assessments (EIA) specific
Our findings underscore the potential of FPV systems in
to water-based solar projects. These assessments should eval­
addressing land use constraints and reducing carbon emis­
uate the potential effects on water quality, aquatic ecosystems,
sions, while also revealing critical challenges related to long-
and local biodiversity. Additionally, governments could
term ecological impacts and system optimization in diverse
streamline the permitting process for FPV installations by
environmental conditions. Key emerging research areas
creating “fast-track” approval mechanisms for projects that
include cross-sectoral synergies, such as FPV integration with
meet predefined environmental standards. This would reduce
aquaculture, and region-specific ecological assessments.
administrative barriers and encourage private sector invest­
Future research should prioritize these emerging trends by
ment in FPV technology.
focusing on long-term ecological monitoring, technological
Another critical policy recommendation is the introduction
advancements, and international collaboration to ensure FPV
of financial incentives to promote FPV development.
systems contribute meaningfully to global renewable energy
Governments could offer tax credits, direct subsidies, or low-
goals. Additionally, policymakers should focus on adaptive reg­
interest loans to encourage private sector investment in FPV
ulations to balance technological deployment with environmental
projects. For example, countries such as Japan and South
sustainability.
Korea have already implemented tax rebates for renewable
energy projects, and similar incentives could be extended to
FPV systems. Additionally, creating green finance mechan­ Author contributions
isms, such as offering preferential loans for FPV projects
through public-private partnerships, could lower the upfront X.S. conceived the project; R.H., H.W.L., R.Z., wrote the manuscript; J.H.
costs for developers and accelerate adoption. S. and Y.C.Z. generated the images; and X.S. guided and reviewed the
manuscript.
Given the interdisciplinary nature of FPV technology, gov­
ernments should establish cross-departmental coordination
mechanisms to ensure that FPV projects align with broader
Disclosure statement
water resource management and energy policies. This could
include forming interagency working groups that bring No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
together representatives from energy, environment, and water
management ministries to collaborate on FPV policy develop­
ment. Such coordination would help address potential conflicts, Funding
such as competing demands for water resources, and ensure This research was funded by the Key Project of Shaanxi Natural Science
that FPV projects contribute to broader sustainability goals. Foundation, China [2023-JC-ZD-28]; Shaanxi Key Research and
Finally, fostering regional and international cooperation Development Program, China [2023GXLH-056].
is essential for scaling FPV technology globally.
Governments should participate in international partner­
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