What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the continent-wide potential of deploying floating solar photovoltaics on existing hydropower reservoirs in Africa to boost power generation and mitigate water evaporation.

January 14, 2021Renewable EnergyOpen Access

Assessment of floating solar photovoltaics potential in existing hydropower reservoirs in Africa

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Authors

RSRocío González SánchezUniversidad Complutense de Madrid IKIoannis KougiasWashington Poison Center MMMagda Moner‐GironaEuropean Commission

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Implication

Modeling study shows covering under 1% of African hydropower reservoirs with floating solar increases electricity by 58%, suggesting a scalable way to offset drought impacts.

Key Points

To evaluate the continent-wide potential of deploying floating solar photovoltaics on existing hydropower reservoirs in Africa to boost power generation and mitigate water evaporation.
Analyzed high-accuracy water surface data from the 146 largest hydropower reservoirs across the African continent (N=146).
Modeled electricity yield, evaporation reductions, and secondary hydroelectric gains across four surface coverage scenarios and two floating system structures.
Covering less than 1% of reservoir surface area doubles installed power capacity and boosts electricity output by 58%, producing an additional 46.04 TWh annually.
Water savings reach 743 million m3 per year under this coverage scenario, yielding an additional 170.64 GWh of annual hydroelectric generation.

Cite This Study

Sánchez et al. (2021) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69dcbe74a5c75be4cfe53b1f https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.01.041

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Implication

Modeling study shows covering under 1% of African hydropower reservoirs with floating solar increases electricity by 58%, suggesting a scalable way to offset drought impacts.

Assessment of floating solar photovoltaics potential in existing hydropower reservoirs in Africa

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Assessment of floating solar photovoltaics potential in existing hydropower reservoirs in Africa

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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