Chapter five - Hydroelectric coupling with floating photovoltaics

This chapter discusses the integration of floating photovoltaic (FPV) plants with hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) that use large dams. Several advantages arise from this hybridization, such as the possibility to install an FPV system with a capacity equal to that of the hydro turbines. This considerably increases energy production while covering only a small percentage of the reservoir’s surface area at the hydroelectric plants. Key points discussed in this chapter:•The concept of energy density per area is introduced and discussed for HPP and FPV systems.•The power potential of FPV systems is analyzed for the 20 largest HPPs in the world. It is shown that covering 10% of the HPP reservoir’s surface area with HPP systems can increase by up to 55%.•The Longyangxia Dam (China) and its connected PV power plant are examined.•The advantages of coupling HPP and FPV systems renewable are discussed, with particular emphasis on the reduction of evaporation.

QUARANTA Emanuele;  ROSA-CLOT Marco; 

2025-07-31

Elsevier

JRC139522

978-0-443-21972-6 (online),   

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780443219726000062?via%3Dihub,    https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-21972-6.00006-2,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC139522,   

10.1016/B978-0-443-21972-6.00006-2 (online),