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Life cycle assessment of a floating photovoltaic system and feasibility for application in Thailand

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  • Cromratie Clemons, Sáde K.
  • Salloum, Coleman R.
  • Herdegen, Kyle G.
  • Kamens, Richard M.
  • Gheewala, Shabbir H.

Abstract

The performance of floating photovoltaics (FPV) was assessed by this study, a technology with rising popularity in the sustainable energy sector, by comparing its economic and environmental benefits to various types of photovoltaic technologies by utilizing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Cost-Benefit Analysis. The largest impacts were shown from this LCA of a 150 MW FPV plant with a 30-year lifespan, which resulted from the roughly 73 kg of greenhouse gases and 110 m3s of water per MWh generated. Additionally, 21 reservoirs were considered in Thailand to house new FPV plants. Projected power generation scenarios varied between 0.64 GW and 13.28 GW when reservoir coverage percentages ranging from 1% to 20% were used. The Levelized Cost of Energy for several different photovoltaic systems yielded 0.24 USD per kWh for the FPV system, while the ground based polycrystalline and thin film systems were 0.43 USD and 0.54 USD per kWh, respectively. The payback period for FPV was 7.5 years, while for the polycrystalline and thin film it was 7.8 and 16.3 years. This combined with other factors made for a high return on investment for the FPV system. This study recommends a 10% coverage of 21 reservoirs throughout Thailand, allowing for potentially 6.52 GW of installed capacity, which would substantially help the country to reach their 2036 goal of having 30% of the energy mix from renewable sources.

Suggested Citation

  • Cromratie Clemons, Sáde K. & Salloum, Coleman R. & Herdegen, Kyle G. & Kamens, Richard M. & Gheewala, Shabbir H., 2021. "Life cycle assessment of a floating photovoltaic system and feasibility for application in Thailand," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 448-462.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:168:y:2021:i:c:p:448-462
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.12.082
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sahu, Alok & Yadav, Neha & Sudhakar, K., 2016. "Floating photovoltaic power plant: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 815-824.
    2. Chaiporn Suphahitanukool & Issaree Hunsacharoonroj & Parnuwat Usapein & Joseph Khedari & Jompob Waewsak & Jongjit Hirunalbh, 2018. "An Evaluation of Economic Potential Solar Photovoltaic Farm in Thailand: Case study of Polycrystalline Silicon and Amorphous Silicon Thin Film," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 8(4), pages 33-41.
    3. Chimres, Nares & Wongwises, Somchai, 2016. "Critical review of the current status of solar energy in Thailand," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 198-207.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Legrand, Mathieu & Labajo-Hurtado, Raúl & Rodríguez-Antón, Luis Miguel & Doce, Yolanda, 2022. "Price arbitrage optimization of a photovoltaic power plant with liquid air energy storage. Implementation to the Spanish case," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PA).
    3. Kowsar, Abu & Hassan, Mahedi & Rana, Md Tasnim & Haque, Nawshad & Faruque, Md Hasan & Ahsan, Saifuddin & Alam, Firoz, 2023. "Optimization and techno-economic assessment of 50 MW floating solar power plant on Hakaluki marsh land in Bangladesh," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    4. Ma, Chao & Liu, Zhao, 2022. "Water-surface photovoltaics: Performance, utilization, and interactions with water eco-environment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    5. Ateş, Ali Murat, 2022. "Unlocking the floating photovoltaic potential of Türkiye's hydroelectric power plants," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 1495-1509.
    6. Micheli, Leonardo & Talavera, Diego L., 2023. "Economic feasibility of floating photovoltaic power plants: Profitability and competitiveness," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 607-616.
    7. Piancó, Felipe & Moraes, Leo & Prazeres, Igor dos & Lima, Antônio Guilherme Garcia & Bessa, João Gabriel & Micheli, Leonardo & Fernández, Eduardo & Almonacid, Florencia, 2022. "Hydroelectric operation for hybridization with a floating photovoltaic plant: A case of study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 85-95.
    8. Héctor Fernández Rodríguez & Miguel Ángel Pardo, 2023. "A Study of the Relevant Parameters for Converting Water Supply to Small Towns in the Province of Alicante to Systems Powered by Photovoltaic Solar Panels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-24, June.

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