Innovations and development trends in offshore floating photovoltaic systems: A comprehensive review
Shaotao Fan, Zhaorong Ma, Tianhui Liu, Can Zheng, Hongqing Wang
Abstract
In the context of the global transition to renewable energy and the pursuit of carbon neutrality, coastal regions around the world are accelerating their efforts to harness clean energy from marine resources. Offshore wind farms have rapidly developed, achieving grid parity (the point where the cost of low-carbon technologies becomes competitive with traditional energy sources). Offshore Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) pilot projects are emerging. Exploring the integrated development of various marine resources and promoting the efficient use of ocean space for energy production are critical steps toward building comprehensive marine energy systems. These systems play a vital role in achieving high-quality carbon neutrality on a global scale. The advent of offshore FPV systems marks a significant advancement in the utilization of solar energy, offering innovative solutions to land scarcity issues and contributing to the worldwide shift towards sustainable energy sources. This article provides an overview of the current state of FPV technology and engineering pilots, analyzing both the benefits and challenges associated with different FPV technologies. Furthermore, it forecasts the market potential for FPV development in China’s coastal regions and explores the integration of FPV with other offshore infrastructure. Case studies are included, presenting examples of integrated construction and economic analysis. Existing FPV pilot projects are progressively adapting to harsher marine environments, with the potential for future integration with other offshore infrastructure, thereby further enhancing the efficient utilization of ocean space.