Floating Solar PV on Foam with Air Bubblers

Floating solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has seen significant growth globally, with installed capacity surpassing 10 gigawatts by 2025. While the environmental cooling effect of water bodies generally enhances solar panel efficiency, this advantage becomes a challenge in colder climates where excessive cooling can reduce performance and cause ice formation. Addressing this issue, Koami Soulemane Hayibo, a PhD candidate at Western University, has developed an innovative foam-based floating PV system designed specifically for cold environments. His design features solar modules mounted on polyethylene foam slabs that lift the panels slightly above the water surface, combined with an air bubbling mechanism to prevent ice accumulation. The foam-backed system not only provides additional insulation but also reduces evaporation, contributing to water conservation. Experimental results indicate that this approach yields higher annual energy output compared to conventional floating PV models, highlighting the importance of accurate temperature management in cold climates. The air bubbler plays a crucial role by disrupting ice formation with minimal energy consumption, making the system both effective and economical. These findings suggest that foam-based floating PV could overcome some of the key limitations that have hindered the deployment of floating solar in colder regions. Despite the promising experimental outcomes, the transition from research to commercial viability remains uncertain. While the concept may seem unconventional, it builds on the trajectory of floating solar technology, which was once met with scepticism but has since become a mainstream renewable energy solution. The next step involves scaling up the technology and testing it across diverse water bodies to validate its performance and cost-effectiveness on a larger scale. Joshua M. Pearce, a co-author of the study, emphasises the potential of this innovation to expand floating PV applications beyond warm climates, positioning it as a sustainable energy option for colder regions as well. The research, published in the journal Applied Energy, lays a foundation for further development and could influence future designs of floating solar installations. If adopted commercially, foam-based floating PV with air bubblers may enhance the resilience and efficiency of solar power generation in challenging environments, contributing to the broader global push towards renewable energy diversification.