Global Atlas of Marine Floating Solar PV Potential
In this paper, we analyse 40 years of maximum wind speed and wave height data to identify potential sites for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems floating on seas and oceans. Maximum hourly wave height and wind speed data were segregated into 5 distinct categories. These categorisations were then combin...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Solar |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9941/3/3/23 |
| _version_ | 1797576851967705088 |
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| author | David Firnando Silalahi Andrew Blakers |
| author_facet | David Firnando Silalahi Andrew Blakers |
| author_sort | David Firnando Silalahi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this paper, we analyse 40 years of maximum wind speed and wave height data to identify potential sites for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems floating on seas and oceans. Maximum hourly wave height and wind speed data were segregated into 5 distinct categories. These categorisations were then combined at the nearest wind speed and wave height grid point for each sea location, generating a comprehensive wind–wave map via a geographic information system (GIS) visualisation. We find that regions around the equator are generally calm, i.e., free from strong winds and large waves. The most favourable locations are around the Indonesian archipelago, and the Gulf of Guinea on the west coast of tropical Africa. Our analysis indicates the huge potential of floating solar PV systems in calm tropical maritime regions, capable of generating about one million terawatt-hours per year in regions that rarely experience waves larger than 6 m or winds stronger than 15 m/s. This study furthers our understanding of alternative renewable energy options, emphasising the promising potential of offshore floating solar PV systems in the global energy transition. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:59:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-aa513c11cfaf4e1ba17b6a8bf106a1be |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-9941 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:59:36Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Solar |
| spelling | doaj.art-aa513c11cfaf4e1ba17b6a8bf106a1be2023-11-19T12:59:59ZengMDPI AGSolar2673-99412023-07-013341643310.3390/solar3030023Global Atlas of Marine Floating Solar PV PotentialDavid Firnando Silalahi0Andrew Blakers1School of Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, AustraliaSchool of Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, AustraliaIn this paper, we analyse 40 years of maximum wind speed and wave height data to identify potential sites for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems floating on seas and oceans. Maximum hourly wave height and wind speed data were segregated into 5 distinct categories. These categorisations were then combined at the nearest wind speed and wave height grid point for each sea location, generating a comprehensive wind–wave map via a geographic information system (GIS) visualisation. We find that regions around the equator are generally calm, i.e., free from strong winds and large waves. The most favourable locations are around the Indonesian archipelago, and the Gulf of Guinea on the west coast of tropical Africa. Our analysis indicates the huge potential of floating solar PV systems in calm tropical maritime regions, capable of generating about one million terawatt-hours per year in regions that rarely experience waves larger than 6 m or winds stronger than 15 m/s. This study furthers our understanding of alternative renewable energy options, emphasising the promising potential of offshore floating solar PV systems in the global energy transition.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9941/3/3/23solar PV potentialfloating solar PVmarine solar PVwave and wind analysissolar energy resource assessment |
| spellingShingle | David Firnando Silalahi Andrew Blakers Global Atlas of Marine Floating Solar PV Potential Solar solar PV potential floating solar PV marine solar PV wave and wind analysis solar energy resource assessment |
| title | Global Atlas of Marine Floating Solar PV Potential |
| title_full | Global Atlas of Marine Floating Solar PV Potential |
| title_fullStr | Global Atlas of Marine Floating Solar PV Potential |
| title_full_unstemmed | Global Atlas of Marine Floating Solar PV Potential |
| title_short | Global Atlas of Marine Floating Solar PV Potential |
| title_sort | global atlas of marine floating solar pv potential |
| topic | solar PV potential floating solar PV marine solar PV wave and wind analysis solar energy resource assessment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9941/3/3/23 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT davidfirnandosilalahi globalatlasofmarinefloatingsolarpvpotential AT andrewblakers globalatlasofmarinefloatingsolarpvpotential |