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Novel offshore application of photovoltaics in comparison to conventional marine renewable energy technologies

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  • Trapani, Kim
  • Millar, Dean L.
  • Smith, Helen C.M.

Abstract

An original proposal for the deployment of photovoltaic (PV) systems in offshore environments is presented in this paper. Crystalline PV panels are considered where they are deployed on pontoon type structures and there are six case study examples precedent practise of such deployments in lakes and reservoirs (but not seas). The authors put forward an alternative based on flexible thin film PV that floats directly on the waterline. The paper then concentrates on the techno-economic appraisal of offshore PV systems in comparison to conventional marine renewable energy technologies. The difficulties of comparing offshore technology projects developed in various countries, using different currencies and in different years are overcome so that such comparisons are made on an equitable basis. The discounted cost of electricity generated by each scheme is determined, including capital expenditure (CAPEX) and yearly operation and maintenance (O&M) costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Trapani, Kim & Millar, Dean L. & Smith, Helen C.M., 2013. "Novel offshore application of photovoltaics in comparison to conventional marine renewable energy technologies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 879-888.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:50:y:2013:i:c:p:879-888
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2012.08.043
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    4. Trapani, Kim & Millar, Dean L., 2014. "The thin film flexible floating PV (T3F-PV) array: The concept and development of the prototype," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 43-50.
    5. Redón Santafé, Miguel & Torregrosa Soler, Juan Bautista & Sánchez Romero, Francisco Javier & Ferrer Gisbert, Pablo S. & Ferrán Gozálvez, José Javier & Ferrer Gisbert, Carlos M., 2014. "Theoretical and experimental analysis of a floating photovoltaic cover for water irrigation reservoirs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 246-255.
    6. Vladan Durković & Željko Đurišić, 2017. "Analysis of the Potential for Use of Floating PV Power Plant on the Skadar Lake for Electricity Supply of Aluminium Plant in Montenegro," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-23, September.
    7. He, Ziqi & Xu, Wanhai & Sun, Yumeng & Zhang, Xinrui, 2025. "A GIS-based techno-economic comparative assessment of offshore fixed and floating photovoltaic systems: A case study of Hainan," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 391(C).
    8. Taboada, M.E. & Cáceres, L. & Graber, T.A. & Galleguillos, H.R. & Cabeza, L.F. & Rojas, R., 2017. "Solar water heating system and photovoltaic floating cover to reduce evaporation: Experimental results and modeling," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 601-615.
    9. Thi Thu Em Vo & Hyeyoung Ko & Junho Huh & Namje Park, 2021. "Overview of Possibilities of Solar Floating Photovoltaic Systems in the OffShore Industry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-30, October.
    10. Seong-Hyeon Ahn & Jin-Hee Hyun & Jin-Ho Choi & Seong-Geun Lee & Gyu-Gwang Kim & Byeong-Gwan Bhang & Hae-Lim Cha & Byeong-Yong Lim & Hoon-Joo Choi & Hyung-Keun Ahn, 2023. "Load-Following Operation of Small Modular Reactors under Unit Commitment Planning with Various Photovoltaic System Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-16, March.
    11. 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.
    12. Chong, Heap-Yih & Lam, Wei-Haur, 2013. "Ocean renewable energy in Malaysia: The potential of the Straits of Malacca," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 169-178.
    13. Jae Woo Ko & Hae Lim Cha & David Kwang-Soon Kim & Jong Rok Lim & Gyu Gwang Kim & Byeong Gwan Bhang & Chang Sub Won & Han Sang Jung & Dong Hyung Kang & Hyung Keun Ahn, 2017. "Safety Analysis of Grounding Resistance with Depth of Water for Floating PVs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-12, September.
    14. Laura Essak & Aritra Ghosh, 2022. "Floating Photovoltaics: A Review," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-18, August.
    15. Lim, Xin-Le & Lam, Wei-Haur, 2014. "Public Acceptance of Marine Renewable Energy in Malaysia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 16-26.
    16. Zhixin Li & Chen Zhang & Zejun Yu & Hong Zhang & Haihua Jiang, 2023. "Deep Learning Method for Evaluating Photovoltaic Potential of Rural Land Use Types," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-17, July.
    17. Ranjbaran, Parisa & Yousefi, Hossein & Gharehpetian, G.B. & Astaraei, Fatemeh Razi, 2019. "A review on floating photovoltaic (FPV) power generation units," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 332-347.
    18. Phoebe Koundouri, Wenting Chen & Osiel González Dávila, Amerissa Giannouli & José Hernández Brito, Erasmia Kotoroni & Evdokia Mailli, Katja Mintenbeck & Chrysoula Papagianni & Ioannis Souliotis, 2017. "A socio-economic framework for integrating multi-use offshore platforms in sustainable blue growth management: theory and applications," Chapters, in: Paulo A.L.D. Nunes & Lisa E. Svensson & Anil Markandya (ed.), Handbook on the Economics and Management of Sustainable Oceans, chapter 1, pages 25-43, Edward Elgar Publishing.

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