Floating Solar Photovoltaics and the Sustainable Development Goals: A Global Review of Technical, Environmental, and Socioeconomic Impacts

Floating solar photovoltaics (FSPV) have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional ground‐mounted photovoltaic (GPV) systems. By deploying solar panels over water bodies such as lakes and reservoirs, FSPV systems mitigate land‐use constraints while enhancing energy performance and contributing to more effective water‐resource management. This paper presents a comprehensive review of FSPV technology, including its operational principles, technological developments, techno‐economic feasibility, environmental impacts, system reliability, and sustainability implications. One of the major advantages of FSPV systems is their enhanced energy generation compared with GPV installations. The presence of water beneath the modules provides a natural cooling effect that lowers the operating temperature of the panels and improves their efficiency. However, the level of performance improvement depends on climatic conditions, installation configuration, and system design. Beyond electricity generation, FSPV systems also provide several ancillary benefits related to water‐resource conservation and management. The coverage of water surfaces reduces evaporation losses and can support water conservation. Despite these benefits, FSPV deployment may also affect aquatic ecosystems and water quality. Therefore, proper site selection and environmental impact assessments are essential to minimize ecological disturbances. From an economic perspective, the initial capital cost of FSPV systems is generally higher than GPV systems because of floating structures, anchoring systems, and specialized installation requirements. Addressing the remaining technical, environmental, economic, and regulatory challenges will require coordinated research, technological standardization, and policy support. Overall, FSPV systems represent an important solution within the energy‐water‐climate nexus and can contribute significantly to global climate goals and sustainable energy development.