Water Conservation Potential of Self-Funded Foam-Based Flexible Surface-Mounted Floatovoltaics
A potential solution to the coupled water–energy–food challenges in land use is the concept of floating photovoltaics or floatovoltaics (FPV). In this study, a new approach to FPV is investigated using a flexible crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) module backed with foam, which is less expensive than conventional pontoon-based FPV. This novel form of FPV is tested experimentally for operating temperature and performance and is analyzed for water-savings using an evaporation calculation adapted from the Penman–Monteith model. The results show that the foam-backed FPV had a lower operating temperature than conventional pontoon-based FPV, and thus a 3.5% higher energy output per unit power. Therefore, foam-based FPV provides a potentially profitable means of reducing water evaporation in the world's at-risk bodies of fresh water. The case study of Lake Mead found that if 10% of the lake was covered with foam-backed FPV, there would be enough water conserved and electricity generated to service Las Vegas and Reno combined. At 50% coverage, the foam-backed FPV would provide over 127 TWh of clean solar electricity and 633.22 million m3 of water savings, which would provide enough electricity to retire 11% of the polluting coal-fired plants in the U.S. and provide water for over five million Americans, annually.
- For Calculations see: Project Page on OSF
- For designs see: Distributed manufacturing of after market flexible floating photovoltaic modules
- For a literature review on FPV see: Solar floatovoltaics lit review
Infographic
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Graphical Abstract
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Keywords
[edit | edit source]Floating photovoltaic; FPV; Flexible; Closed-cell foams; Sustainable development; Open-source; Photovoltaic; Racking; water; floatovoltaic; energy water nexus; dual use; water conservation; FPV; solar energy
See also
[edit | edit source]The Western Innovation for Renewable Energy (WIRED) system is currently under construction to test out new open source methods to reduce PV systems costs and enable novel forms of floatovoltaics, BIPV and agrivoltaics including the world's first agrivoltaic agrotunnel.
- Distributed manufacturing of after market flexible floating photovoltaic modules
- 3-D Printing Solar Photovoltaic Racking in Developing World
- The Greenest Solar Power? Life Cycle Assessment of Foam-Based Flexible Floatovoltaics
- Foam-based floatovoltaics: A potential solution to disappearing terminal natural lakes
- Impacts of Location on Designs and Economics of DIY Low-Cost Fixed-Tilt Open Source Wood Solar Photovoltaic Racking
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| Authors | Koami Soulemane Hayibo, Joshua M. Pearce |
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| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Koami Soulemane Hayibo, Joshua M. Pearce (2020–2026). "Water Conservation Potential of Self-Funded Foam-Based Flexible Surface-Mounted Floatovoltaics". Appropedia. Retrieved June 13, 2026. |