Reduce Water Evaporation Research Articles

Collaborative water-electricity operation optimization of a photovoltaic/pumped storage-based aquaculture energy system considering water evaporation effects

The increasing global population, economic development, and urbanization trends have led to a heightened demand for seafood, presenting a significant challenge to the growth trajectory of the food industry. As the most rapidly expanding segment within the food industry, aquaculture presents a sustainable solution to mitigate the overexploitation of marine resources and address the growing demand for food. Aquaculture's sufficient aquatic expanses offer considerable potential for PV deployment, thereby relieving the demand for limited land resources. However, existing research rarely addresses the collaborative operation of water and electricity in aquaculture systems. The effects of water evaporation from PV panel-covered water surfaces on the collaborative water-electricity operation are generally neglected. Hence, this work proposes a collaborative water-electricity operation of a photovoltaic (PV)-pumped storage-based aquaculture energy system considering the water evaporation effects. This optimization method accounts for the reduced water evaporation due to PV panel shading. Water surface PV and pumped storage are integrated into the system to fulfill electricity needs, with pumped storage serving as a dual-purpose device for water and electricity supply. Environmentally sustainable water-electricity generation and aquaculture energy system requirements are established. Water surface PV electricity generation is modeled based on climate and engineering conditions, while aquaculture pond electricity requirement includes oxygenation, feeding, and water replenishment. Finally, a collaborative water-electricity operation model is introduced to optimize operation strategies for various devices. A case study on a fish-light complementation project demonstrates that this optimization method can reduce reliance on the utility grid and overall system operational costs.

Towards Sustainable Energy Solutions: Evaluating the Impact of Floating PV Systems in Reducing Water Evaporation and Enhancing Energy Production in Northern Cyprus

Floating photovoltaic systems (FPVSs) are gaining popularity, especially in countries with high population density and abundant solar energy resources. FPVSs provide a variety of advantages, particularly in situations where land is limited. Therefore, the main objective of the study is to evaluate the solar energy potential and investigate the techno-economic perspective of FPVSs at 15 water reservoirs in Northern Cyprus for the first time. Due to the solar radiation variations, solar power generation is uncertain; therefore, precise characterization is required to manage the grid effectively. In this paper, four distribution functions (Johnson SB, pert, Phased Bi-Weibull, and Kumaraswamy) are newly introduced to analyze the characteristics of solar irradiation, expressed by global horizontal irradiation (GHI), at the selected sites. These distribution functions are compared with common distribution functions to assess their suitability. The results demonstrated that the proposed distribution functions, with the exception of Phased Bi-Weibull, outperform the common distribution regarding fitting GHI distribution. Moreover, this work aims to evaluate the effects of floating photovoltaic systems on water evaporation rates at 15 reservoirs. To this aim, five methods were used to estimate the rate of water evaporation based on weather data. Different scenarios of covering the reservoir’s surface with an FPVS were studied and discussed. The findings showed that annual savings at 100% coverage can reach 6.21 × 105 m3 compared to 0 m3 without PV panels. Finally, technical and economic assessment of FPVSs with various scales, floating assemblies, and PV technologies was conducted to determine the optimal system. The results revealed that a floating structure (North orientation-tilt 6°) and bifacial panels produced the maximum performance for the proposed FPVSs at the selected sites. Consequently, it is observed that the percentage of reduction in electricity production from fossil fuel can be varied from 10.19% to 47.21% at 75% FPV occupancy.

Reliability-aware techno-economic assessment of floating solar power systems

Floating solar photovoltaic systems (FPV) have emerged as a promising technology to harness solar energy on water surfaces. With its numerous benefits, including increased land availability, reduced water evaporation, and improved system cooling, FPV systems hold great potential for sustainable energy generation. However, due to its unique installation and operation in water bodies, the management of aging becomes a critical factor to ensure long-term success. Consequently, reliability analysis plays a pivotal role in predicting and mitigating operational risks and estimating the economic feasibility of FPV projects. In this context, this paper presents a reliability-aware techno-economic assessment approach of FPV systems. The approach is tested with a case study in India, and the results are compared with ground-based photovoltaic (GPV) systems. Here, different failure and repair strategies are taken into account to determine the lifetime performance. Results showed that even though FPV system has higher failure rate, considering standard maintenance, the energy generated by the FPV system is 5.38% higher than similar GPV system. The cost of electricity by the PV system depends on the repair and maintenance. For normal maintenance the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for FPV system is calculated as 0.0551 $/kWh which is comparable to the LCOE by GPV systems, while for reduced repair actions, the LCOE of the FPV is higher than the LCOE of the GPV system.

Spent coffee waste-derived biochar improves physical properties, water retention, and maize (Zea mays L.) growth in sandy soil

Adding organic soil amendments can improve the physical and hydrological properties of soil, subsequently enhancing fertility for better crop production. In this study, spent Arabica and Columbian coffee wastes and their respective biochars were evaluated as soil amendments to improve the physical and hydrological properties of loamy sand soil and enhance maize (Zea mays L.) crop growth. Spent Arabica coffee (AC) and Columbian coffee (CC) wastes were collected and transformed into biochar through pyrolysis process at 550 °C with a residence time of 3 h and pyrolysis rate of 5 °C per minute. The AC and CC derived biochar were termed as ABC and CBC, respectively. The produced soil amendments were applied to soil at 0% (control), 1%, 3%, and 5% in a column setup. The moisture characteristics, including water infiltration, evaporation, and water retention, were investigated. Thereafter, the prepared amendments were applied to loamy sand soils at 0% (control), 1%, 3%, and 5% (w/w) application rates. Maize growth was then observed for a period of 30 days under greenhouse conditions. Results of the column trials showed that ABC and CBC applied at 5% reduced the cumulative water evaporation by 57%–66% and cumulative infiltration by 124%–181% compared to control. Likewise, 5% application of ABC and CBC resulted in 101 to 130% higher water retention in loamy sand soil. Results of the greenhouse experiment showed that 5% application of ABC and CBC amendments resulted in root biomass of 2.12 and 2.38 g, respectively, as compared to 0.51 g in control treatment. Similar treatments resulted in shoot biomass of 9.70 and 9.93 g respectively, as compared to 7.37 g in control. Likewise, 5% application of CBC and ABC increase plant height from 15.71 to 30.94 cm in ABC and 33.23 cm in CBC. Overall, 5% application of coffee waste-derived biochars significantly reduced water evaporation and infiltration, while increasing soil water retention and maize plant height, root biomass, and shoot biomass. Therefore, spent coffee waste-derived biochar could effectively be employed to improve physical and hydrological properties of loamy sand soils for better crop productivity.

Enhanced waste water purification performance of solar-driven interfacial water evaporation through the integration of electrocatalysis

Solar-driven interfacial water evaporation (SDIWE) has been proven to be an effective method for purifying polluted water. However, the challenging issue of removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from wastewater is frequently encountered. In this study, the SDIWE-electrocatalysis coupling system is established by employing defective TiO2 as both photothermal and electrode materials, and significant enhancements are achieved in terms of water evaporation rate and distilled water quality. The application of voltage not only generates joule heat but also reduces water evaporation enthalpy, contributing to the improved water evaporation rate. Under solar irradiation of 1.0 kW·m−2, the water evaporation rate increases from 1.43 kg·m−2·h−1 at 0 V to 1.63 kg·m−2·h−1 at 2.0 V. With the utilization of Ti@R-TiO2 foam as the anode and Ti@TiO2 foam as the cathode, it becomes feasible to directly oxidize VOCs at the anode and electrocatalytically reduce O2 at the cathode. Consequently, the VOCs can be effectively eliminated from distilled water. Applying 2.0 V under 1.0 kW·m−2 with oxygen inlet, approximately 25 % removal efficiency was achieved through electrolysis-SDIWE coupling system. This study's approach combining electrolysis with SDIWE presents a promising avenue for advancing SDIWE technology in order to achieve efficient wastewater treatment.

Sustainable upcycling of waste polyethylene terephthalate into hierarchically porous carbon nanosheet for interfacial solar steam and hydroelectricity generation

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation coupled with hydroelectricity technology is regarded as a hopeful tactic to co-generate freshwater and electricity. However, constructing low-cost evaporators/generators remain a grand challenge. Herein, we report a salt-assisted carbonization method to convert waste polyethylene terephthalate to be hierarchically porous carbon nanosheet (HPCN) and build a flexible HPCN-based evaporator for freshwater and hydroelectricity co-generation. HPCN exhibits a wrinkled structure with the thickness of ca. 3.4 nm. The HPCN-based evaporator displays good hydrophilicity, high sunlight absorption (98%), high solar-to-thermal conversion, reduced water evaporation enthalpy, and low thermal conductivity. It exhibits high evaporation rate (2.65 kg m−2 h−1) and conversion efficiency (98.0%) through 1 kW m−2 irradiation, exceeding many advanced solar evaporators. Importantly, the HPCN evaporator-based hydroelectricity generator realizes high voltage (255 mV) and current (310 nA) with good stability. The combination of large specific surface area with wealthy oxygen-containing groups of HPCN plays important roles in hydroelectricity generation. In outdoor experiment, the freshwater production amount from per meter square achieves 6.32 kg. This work provides a green approach to upcycle waste plastics to be functional carbon materials and offers a new platform to construct advanced evaporators for solar evaporation and hydroelectricity generation.

Water exchange of the forest ecosystems epigeic bryophytes depending on changes of the structural and functional organization of their turfs and the influence of local growth environmental conditions

Background. Moss cover plays a decisive role in increasing soil moisture in forest ecosystems. Bryophytes with high water content can significantly reduce water evaporation from the soil surface and retain it for an extended time. Under the influence of environmental conditions, mosses change the shape and organization of moss turfs thus regulating the efficiency of moisture absorption and retaining. Therefore, it is essential to establish the differences in the water exchange strategy of epigeic dominant moss species depending on the environmental conditions in reserved and anthropogenically disturbed forest ecosystems. Materials and Methods. The research was carried out using the dominant epigeic, typical forest moss species Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T. J. Kop. and P. ellipticum (Brid.) T. J. Kop. from experimental plots of forest ecosystems, which differed in water and temperature regimes and light intensity. We determined the peculiarities of the influence of adaptations of moss turf morphological structure, individual plant’s physiological functional traits, and their metabolic osmoprotective changes based on the leading indicators of their water exchange (coefficients of water retention, water recovery, and drought resistance). Results. It was established that humidity and light intensity in forest ecosystems changed the shape and organization of moss turfs, i.e., the height of individual shoots in the turf and the density and size of leaves. The predominance of the generative or vegetative type of moss reproduction led to significant changes in the morphology of shoots, physiological functional traits of plants, and the density of the turf structure, which was regulated due to the increase in airstream turbulence and wind penetration, absorption and evaporation of water. The hydration of moss tissues was maintained due to the rise in the total carbohydrate content as well as the soluble fraction content primarily in the vegetative shoots. Conclusions. Mosses adapted to variable microclimatic conditions of forest ecosystems due to endohydricity and water retention mechanisms in external capillary spaces, i.e., changes in height, shape, and density of turfs, shoot morphology, various ratios of fertile to sterile plants, and their physiological functional traits. The internal regulation of water potential of cells was ensured by an increased concentration of osmoprotectors (carbohydrates, primarily their soluble fraction).

Design and Control Strategy of an Integrated Floating Photovoltaic Energy Storage System

Floating photovoltaic (FPV) power generation technology has gained widespread attention due to its advantages, which include the lack of the need to occupy land resources, low risk of power limitations, high power generation efficiency, reduced water evaporation, and the conservation of water resources. However, FPV systems also face challenges, such as a significant impact from aquatic environments on the system’s stability and safety and high operational and maintenance costs, leading to large fluctuations in the grid-connected power output. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate energy storage devices with FPV systems to form an integrated floating photovoltaic energy storage system that facilitates the secure supply of power. This study investigates the theoretical and practical issues of integrated floating photovoltaic energy storage systems. A novel integrated floating photovoltaic energy storage system was designed with a photovoltaic power generation capacity of 14 kW and an energy storage capacity of 18.8 kW/100 kWh. The control methods for photovoltaic cells and energy storage batteries were analyzed. The coordinated control of photovoltaic cells was achieved through MPPT control and improved droop control, while the coordinated control of energy storage batteries involved a droop charge–discharge mode, a constant-voltage charging mode, and a standby mode. The simulations were realized in MATLAB/Simulink and the results validated the effectiveness of the coordinated control strategy proposed in this study. The strategy achieved operational stability and efficiency of the integrated photovoltaic energy storage system.

Effect of crystalline admixtures on shrinkage and alkali-silica reaction of biochar-cementitious composites

This study investigated effects of crystalline admixture (CA) on shrinkage and alkali-silica reaction behaviours of biochar-cementitious composites. Addition of 1–1.5 wt% superabsorbent polymer (SAP) completely mitigated autogenous shrinkage while slightly increasing the 120-day total shrinkage of the SP-cement composite by 5.7%, resulting in the highest apparent porosity. 1–1.5 wt% CA addition did not affect autogenous shrinkage while slightly reducing the 120-day total shrinkage by 10.1%. The combination of CA and waste wood biochar (WWB) reduced autogenous shrinkage by 24.23% and 120-day total shrinkage by 23.6%, resulting in the lowest apparent porosity. The formation of hydration products in the WWB pores and on WWB surface densified the cementitious matrix, leading to a reduction in water evaporation. Furthermore, for specimens exposed to 1 M NaOH solution at 80 °C, CA addition significantly reduced the 120-day expansion by 50.6%, while the combination of CA and WWB addition reduced the 120-day expansion by 42.9%.

An in situ encapsulation strategy for enhancing the stability of hydrogels in both air and water through surface-confined copolymerization

Air-drying and water-swelling are significant limitations of conventional hydrogels, hindering their potential applications. In this study, we present a facile, versatile and in situ encapsulation strategy aimed at overcoming these drawbacks and enhancing the stability of hydrogels in both air and water. Our method involves creating a flexible and hydrophobic polymer coating through surface-confined copolymerization of triethoxyvinylsilane (VETS) and 2, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate (HFMA), along with the infusion of a hydrophobic oil layer through hydrophobic interactions. By adjusting the monomer ratio, polymerization time, and oil viscosity, we successfully anchored a flexible double-hydrophobic-coating to the hydrogel surface without compromising its mechanical properties. This double-layer-coating acts as an effective barrier, significantly reducing water evaporation within the hydrogel and preventing water diffusion and penetration from the external environment. Remarkably, the encapsulated hydrogel retains over 75.0 % of its weight after a 7-day air-drying test and exhibits non-swelling behavior in diverse aqueous environments for 150 days. Moreover, our strategy is applicable to various hydrogel types and shapes, demonstrating its universality in enhancing resistance against both drying and swelling. Therefore, the proposed approach offers valuable insights into the surface functionalization of hydrogel and broadens the application of next-generation hydrogels in real-world settings, spanning wet and dry environments.

Effects of Agricultural Photovoltaic Systems Development on Sweet Potato Growth

Agricultural Photovoltaic (APV) has become more popular worldwide. Its core idea is to generate electricity and grow crops simultaneously on the same farmland. We developed two APV, Spectrum Splitting and Concentrated APV (SCAPV) and Even-lighting Agricultural Photovoltaic (EAPV). Our previous studies have investigated electricity generation, enhanced growth of plants/crops, and reduced water evaporation simultaneously on the same farmland. Furthermore, SCAPV and EAPV examined the better quality and increased yield of many plants, such as lettuce and cucumber. However, the effects of SCAPV and EAPV on sweet potato quality and yield have not been studied. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of SCAPV and EAPV on evapotranspiration (ET) and sweet potato quality and yield. We conducted three treatments: SCAPV, EAPV, and open-air (CK). We planted 32 m2 of sweet potatoes and placed a weather station in each treatment. Our results showed that the 32 m2 of sweet potato yield under SCAPV, EAPV, and CK were 121.53 kg, 99.55 kg, and 77.84 kg, respectively. The dry rate in CK was 11.75% lower than 13.41% and 13.81% under SCAPV and EAPV, respectively. Soluble sugar content increased under EAPV. Anthocyanin content under SCAPV improved. Therefore, SCAPV and EAPV positively affect dry matter accumulation and enhance the sweet potato's growth. Average ET under SCAPV and EAPV compared with CK significantly reduced by 31% and 23%. SCAPV and EAPV could reduce irrigation and provide feasible green energy and sustainable APV solutions.

Composite biofilm chitosan-microcrystalline cellulose for tomato preservation

The demand for packaging has caused a surge in non-biodegradable plastic waste. To tackle this issue, biofilms provide a safe and effective alternative for packaging and preservation. This research focused on combining chitosan and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) to produce composite biofilms to preserve fresh fruits. The study involved adding varying quantities of MCC, ranging from 0g to 11g, to chitosan using a glycerol plasticizer. The results showed that adding MCC reduced the adhesion of the chitosan-based film, resulting in a more intact film. The surface morphology of the film showed uniform dispersion of MCC particles. The water adsorption and solubility of the MCC-added films increased while biodegradability decreased. The best biofilm for preservation application was the chitosan film supplemented with 3g of MCC. This film helped limit weight loss, vitamin C content, total acid content, and soluble solids loss in tomatoes during storage. Essentially, the chitosan-MCC film helped to reduce water evaporation, respiration, metabolism with the external environment, and penetration of microorganisms on tomatoes, thus extending their shelf life.

Evaluation of the mechanisms acting on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation in CESM2 for the 1pctCO2 experiment

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a crucial component of the Earth's climate system due to its fundamental role in heat distribution, carbon and oxygen transport, and the weather. Other climate components, such as the atmosphere and sea ice, influence the AMOC. Evaluating the physical mechanisms of those interactions is paramount to increasing knowledge about AMOC's functioning. In this study, the authors used outputs from the Community Earth System Model version 2 and observational data to investigate changes in the AMOC and the associated physical processes. Two DECK experiments were evaluated: piControl and 1pctCO2 , with an annual increase of 1% of atmospheric CO2 . The analysis revealed a significant decrease in the AMOC, associated with changes in mixed layer depth and buoyancy in high latitudes of the North Atlantic, resulting in the shutdown of deep convection and potentially affecting the formation of North Atlantic Deep Water and Antarctic Bottom Water. A vital aspect observed in this study is the association between increased runoff and reduced water evaporation, giving rise to a positive feedback process. Consequently, the rates of freshwater spreading have intensified during this period, which could lead to an accelerated disruption of the AMOC beyond the projections of existing models.

Boron nanosheets boosting solar thermal water evaporation.

Hydrogel-based solar vapour generators (SVGs) are promising for wastewater treatment and desalination. The performance of SVG systems is governed by solar thermal conversion and water management. Progress has been made in achieving high energy conversion efficiency, but the water evaporation rates are still unsatisfactory under 1 sun irradiation. This study introduced novel two-dimensional (2D) boron nanosheets as additives into hydrogel-based SVGs. The resulting SVGs exhibit an outstanding evaporation rate of 4.03 kg m-2 h-1 under 1 sun irradiation. This significant improvement is attributed to the 2D boron nanosheets, which leads to the formation of a higher content of intermediate water and reduced water evaporation enthalpy to 845.11 kJ kg-1. The SVGs into which boron nanosheets were incorporated also showed high salt resistance and durability, demonstrating their great potential for desalination applications.

“Canalvoltaico” in Emilia-Romagna, Italy: Assessing Technical, Economic, and Environmental Feasibility of Suspended Photovoltaic Panels over Water Canals

Solar energy has become an increasingly important part of the global energy mix. In Italy, the photovoltaic power installed has grown by 40% since 2015, which raises the issue of land use and occupation. A viable alternative, already experienced in India, is placing solar panels on the top of water canals (Canal-Top—in Italian, “Canalvoltaico”). It is a relatively new and innovative approach to solar energy installation that offers several advantages including the potential to generate renewable energy without occupying additional land, reduce water evaporation from canals, and improve water quality by reducing algae growth. The article explores various Canal-Top solar projects over the world; then, a feasible application in the Italian region “Emilia-Romagna” is discussed, evaluating two potential construction designs. The primary aim is to establish a capital expenditure cost framework, offering reference values currently lacking in the extant literature and industry studies pertaining to Italy. Moreover, the study addresses additional key factors, including water savings, maintenance considerations, and safety implications.

Assessment of floating solar photovoltaic potential in China

Solar energy has expanded rapidly in recent years, and China is the largest market in terms of installed capacity. With the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, solar power will play an increasingly important role in China. However, like many other countries, the low energy density of solar photovoltaics is one of the major drawbacks of its further development. The emergence of floating photovoltaic systems (FPV) can not only break this threshold but also generate a series of cobenefits from a brand-new energy-land-water nexus perspective. Using a GIS-MCDA model, an evaporation model, combined with a cost-benefit analysis, this paper estimates the development potential of FPV in China, and its energy-land-water cobenefits are further analyzed. Moreover, to reveal the current land constraint for developing solar photovoltaics in China, the potential of traditional terrestrial solar photovoltaics has also been evaluated. The results show that the potential installed capacity of FPV in China can reach 705.2 GW–862.6 GW with an annual 1164.9 TWh to 1423.8 TWh of potential power output, and most potential FPV stations can obtain positive financial returns. The annual water evaporation reduction is approximately 5.8 km3. In the meantime, around 7117.3 km2 of the land could be conserved, which would alleviate the land constraint for terrestrial solar photovoltaic systems, especially in the highly urbanized eastern and southern coastal areas in China.

Feasibility Study and Design of a Stand-alone Floating Photovoltaic Structure for Toshka Lake

A novel energy production system known as floating photovoltaic technology has captured the interest of many people due to its many advantages. The floating photovoltaic system contributes to a reduction in water evaporation and an increase in energy output. The development of floating photovoltaic power plants necessitates the study of these systems from both an electrical and mechanical structure perspective for research objectives. Numerous studies have been conducted on floating photovoltaic systems from various angles that have examined these systems. The goal of this paper is to provide a standard design procedure and performance for the construction of a floating photovoltaic energy system at the surface of Toshka lake for the generation of electricity to a household using PV Syst. software. Also it provides a logical analysis and up-todate assessment of the many characteristics and elements of floating photovoltaic systems as an energy production system. The performance ratio analysis reveals that the lowest value was obtained in the month of March is 64% and the maximum value was obtained in the month of December is 82%whereas the average value for year is 71.3%. Analysis of losses has also been done.

Arid AREAS Water-Piled Photovoltaic Prevents Evaporation Effects Research

(1) Background: In arid and semi-arid reservoirs, water surface evaporation is the main method of water dissipation in order to inhibit the evaporation of water and enhance economic efficiency. The evaporation inhibition rate of water-piled PV at different times of the year is derived from the anti-evaporation test of water-piled PV, and a new idea is proposed for water conservation in plains reservoirs in arid areas. (2) Methods: The test was conducted by dividing the area into groups A and B, with and without PV panel shading. In situ observation and numerical calculation were used to measure the atmosphere’s temperatures, test group, and PV module. The saturated water vapor pressure difference was then calculated according to Dalton’s principle to analyze the economic benefits of water saving. (3) Results: Based on the test results, it was found that the shading of PV panels had a cooling effect on the water body, the PV module, and the atmosphere. Group A showed a 44.2% decrease in the saturation water vapor pressure difference compared to Group B. The maximum evaporation suppression rate of 40.2% was observed in July, while the minimum rate of 12.2% was observed in January. The average evaporation suppression rate for the entire year was 29.2%. By utilizing the annual water savings for agricultural irrigation, it is possible to cover 38 hm2 of land and generate a revenue of 39,000 CNY. (4) Conclusions: The photovoltaic water cover can effectively reduce water evaporation and generate economic benefits.

Design and analysis of passively cooled floating photovoltaic systems

Floating photovoltaic systems deployable on ponds, lakes and water bodies are an attractive solution in photovoltaic cell technology with several advantages with respect to land-based installations, including a reduced expensive land investment required, reduced water evaporation, and suppression of algae growth. Moreover, the water body can be exploited as a heat sink for the thermal management of the photovoltaic cells, thereby decreasing the operating temperature and increasing efficiency. High operating temperatures are in fact one of the major problems in photovoltaic cells, which can degrade photovoltaic panels' electrical efficiency and service life. Recent research has demonstrated the potential of natural convection cooling loops for the thermal management of floating photovoltaic systems. Using numerical simulations combined with experiments, we show how sensitive is the performance of the natural convection cooling loop to the height of the coolant reservoir, which can then be used as a design parameter to maximise the cooling effectiveness of the photovoltaic module, with a consequent increase in electrical efficiency of 17.84% with respect to the base design without cooling.

GIS-based potential assessment of floating photovoltaic systems in reservoirs of Tamil Nadu in India

Abstract Floating photovoltaic systems (FPVs) are one of the emerging renewable-energy technologies suitable for implementation in land-scarce areas around the world. The installation of FPVs in water bodies in highly populated countries such as India will improve renewable-energy production with added advantages in terms of efficiency, water savings and reduced carbon emissions. In this context, the present study aims to identify suitable reservoirs for solar energy production using FPV technology in Tamil Nadu, India using geographic information system techniques. A total of 118 reservoirs located in the study area were considered. The results have shown that the implementation of FPV systems will significantly improve the production of renewable energy. The most suitable reservoirs with hydroelectric power plants for hybrid FPV implementation and their potential to reduce water evaporation and carbon emissions are presented. The results reveal that hybrid systems will generate 1542.53 GWh of power annually and also save 36.32 × 106 m3 of water every year. The results of this investigation will aid in fulfilling sustainable energy production in India, and the methodology presented may be useful for the analysis and prioritization of reservoirs for the implementation of FPV all over the world.