Aquavoltaics: Synergies for dual use of water area for solar photovoltaic electricity generation and aquaculture

Abstract

Bodies of water provide essentials for both human society as well as natural ecosystems. To expand the services these water provide, hybrid food-energy-water systems can be designed. This paper reviews the fields of floatovoltaic (FV) technology (water deployed solar photovoltaic systems) and aquaculture (farming of aquatic organisms) to investigate the potential of hybrid floatovoltaic-aquaculture synergistic applications for improving food-energy-water nexus sustainability. The primary motivation for combining electrical energy generation with aquaculture is to promote the dual use of water, which has historically high unused potential. Recent advances in FV technology using both pontoon and thin film structures provides significant flexibility in deployment in a range of water systems. Solar generated electricity provides off-grid aquaculture potential. In addition, several other symbiotic relationships are considered including an increase in power conversion efficiency due to the cooling and cleaning of module surfaces , a reduction in water surface evaporation rates, ecosystem redevelopment, and improved fish growth rates through integrated designs using FV-powered pumps to control oxygenation levels as well as LED lighting. The potential for a solar photovoltaic-aquaculture or aquavoltaic ecology was found to be promising. If a U.S. national average value of solar flux is used then current aquaculture surface areas in use, if incorporated with appropriate solar technology could account for 10.3% of total U.S. energy consumption as of 2016.

General Design Procedures for Airport-Based Solar Photovoltaic Systems

“…However, as the cost of PV modules themselves have dropped a low-tilt angle system enables closer packing of modules (e.g., higher power per unit area) and can increase the solar electricity generated per unit area at an airport. In addition, for airports with surface water, floating solar PV farms [15][16][17][18][19][20][21] and even aquavoltaics [22] would enable an increased area for PV, as well as possibly reducing water surface glare.…”

“…Much of this need can be met via rooftop PV or the relatively immature building-integrated PV (BIPV) market [5][6][7][8][9][10]. The remainder will need to be met by large-area solar PV farms on either land-based solar PV farms [11][12][13][14] or even water-based floating solar PV farms [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. However, as the global population increases 1.15% per year [23], attractive land and even waterways will become more valuable, especially in densely populated areas.…”

Open Source Laser Polymer Welding System: Design and Characterization of Linear Low-Density Polyethylene Multilayer Welds

“…The polymer laser welder described is ideal for rapid prototyping. For example, the new floating photovoltaics (FPV) can be combined with aquaponics to makeaquavoltaics (AV), which use thin film flexible substrate based solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to float on water, yet designs have largely been untested [42,43]. The low mass allows a significantly diminished supporting structure and the flexible nature of the system allows for designed yield to oncoming waves while maintaining electrical performance [44].…”

Mutually-Beneficial Renewable Energy Systems

“…For floatovoltaics, floating arrays deployed in reservoirs, dam impoundments, irrigation canals, lakes, ponds, and former mining pits adapt to changing water levels while improving panel conversion efficiency and reducing evaporation (Hernandez et al 2014;Hanley 2017;Hoffacker, Allen, and Hernandez 2017;Moore-O'Leary et al 2017). When combined with aquaculture (aquavoltaics), floating PV systems support food production, provide artificial fish habitat and oxygenate surface waters (Pringle, Handler, and Pearce 2017).…”

“…Co-locating complementary technologies provides additional opportunities for ecological enhancement, including solar with wind power (Hernandez et al 2014), aquavoltaics with hydroelectricity (Pringle, Handler, and Pearce 2017), and aerobic composting and solar hot water (Walther et al 2017). Integration can smooth daily or seasonal variability, provide additional functions such as water conservation and food production, and reduce overall area required.…”