Floating photovoltaic plants and wastewater basins: an Australian project

Abstract

Floating photovoltaic is a new design solution for photovoltaic (PV) power plants; Floating PV systems (FPVSs) are normally installed on water bodies such as natural lakes or dams reservoirs, and offshore solutions are also investigated. Such technology has attracted increased worldwide attention since 2007 and medium and large FPVSs have already been deployed in several countries, such as Japan, South Korea, India and USA. The cost effectiveness of FPVS increases dramatically if the floating structure performs also other tasks, for instance the reduction of water evaporation. In this context, the possibility to integrate PV plants with the existing basins for wastewater treatment is explored; a compact FPVS without tracking with optimal orientation and distance among rows is suggested as the most simple and economic design solution. Some test cases in South Australia are suggested and analysed.