The global demand for renewable energy sources is growing rapidly. Climate change, rising energy costs, and sustainable development goals are pushing countries to seek alternative solutions. One of the most innovative and increasingly popular approaches in recent years is the floating solar energy system (Floating PV), which provides major advantages in efficient land use and water resource optimization.
What is Floating Solar?
Floating solar systems are photovoltaic panels installed on floating platforms over water surfaces. These systems can be implemented on lakes, reservoirs, dam lakes, and other calm bodies of water. Compared to traditional ground-mounted systems, floating solar offers improved energy efficiency by making use of unused water surfaces.
Key Advantages of Floating Solar Projects
Land Conservation and Sustainability
Floating solar helps preserve valuable land, especially in densely populated or agriculturally important areas. By utilizing water bodies instead of land, these systems support sustainable development without displacing other vital land uses.
Increased Energy Efficiency
Thanks to the cooling effect of the water beneath them, floating solar panels operate at lower temperatures and achieve higher efficiency. Studies show they can generate 5–15% more electricity compared to ground-mounted systems.
Water Evaporation Reduction
By covering the water surface, these systems significantly reduce evaporation. In arid regions, this can result in up to 70% less water loss, offering dual benefits in energy production and water conservation.
Application Areas of Floating Solar Projects
Floating solar systems are ideal for large reservoirs, dam lakes, and artificial water bodies. Common deployment areas include irrigation reservoirs for agriculture, artificial lakes near industrial zones, and drinking water dams. Particularly in high-demand and land-scarce regions, they offer sustainable and efficient energy solutions.
Floating Solar Potential in Turkey
Turkey is rich in water resources and has favorable climate conditions, making it highly suitable for floating solar. Major dam lakes such as Atatürk, Keban, Karakaya, and Ilısu, as well as numerous irrigation reservoirs, are ideal for such projects. With the country’s increasing energy needs and strong renewable energy policies, floating solar adoption is poised for rapid growth.
Floating Solar Projects Around the World
Many countries, especially in Asia and Europe, are investing in floating solar systems. South Korea leads with its Saemangeum project (2.1 GW), the largest floating solar farm globally. Japan has deployed multiple small and mid-scale floating systems due to land scarcity. China is rapidly expanding large-scale floating solar as part of its renewable energy strategy. In Europe, the Netherlands is actively implementing floating PV to overcome land use constraints.
Conclusion
Floating solar systems offer a powerful opportunity to increase renewable energy generation while preserving water and land resources. As global demand for clean energy rises, these systems are becoming essential to sustainable energy strategies. Their innovative nature allows for efficient, eco-friendly energy production with minimal environmental impact.
References
- World Bank Group. (2018). Where Sun Meets Water: Floating Solar Market Report. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org
- Solar Energy Industries Association. (2022). Floating Solar. Retrieved from https://www.seia.org
- Ministry of Energy, Republic of Korea. (2023). Saemangeum Floating Solar Project. Retrieved from https://energy.go.kr
