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In-Situ Water Quality Observations under a Large-Scale Floating Solar Farm Using Sensors and Underwater Drones

Author

Listed:
  • Rui L. Pedroso de Lima

    (Indymo: Innovative Dynamic Monitoring, Molengraaffsingel 12, 2629 JD Delft, The Netherlands
    MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Rua da Matemática 49, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Katerina Paxinou

    (NoorderRuimte, Centre of Applied Research and Innovation on Area Development, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Zernikeplein 7, P.O. Box 3037, 9701 DA Groningen, The Netherlands)

  • Floris C. Boogaard

    (Indymo: Innovative Dynamic Monitoring, Molengraaffsingel 12, 2629 JD Delft, The Netherlands
    NoorderRuimte, Centre of Applied Research and Innovation on Area Development, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Zernikeplein 7, P.O. Box 3037, 9701 DA Groningen, The Netherlands
    Deltares, Daltonlaan 600, 3584 BK Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Olof Akkerman

    (NoorderRuimte, Centre of Applied Research and Innovation on Area Development, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Zernikeplein 7, P.O. Box 3037, 9701 DA Groningen, The Netherlands)

  • Fen-Yu Lin

    (Blue21, Molengraaffsingel 12, 2629 JD Delft, The Netherlands)

Abstract

The rapid implementation of large scale floating solar panels has consequences to water quality and local ecosystems. Environmental impacts depend on the dimensions, design and proportions of the system in relation to the size of the surface water, as well as the characteristics of the water system (currents, tidal effects) and climatic conditions. There is often no time (and budget) for thorough research into these effects on ecology and water quality. A few studies have addressed the potential impacts of floating solar panels, but often rely on models without validation with in situ data. In this work, water quality sensors continuously monitored key water quality parameters at two different locations: (i) underneath a floating solar park; (ii) at a reference location positioned in open water. An underwater drone was used to obtain vertical profiles of water quality and to collect underwater images. The results showed little differences in the measured key water quality parameters below the solar panels. The temperature at the upper layers of water was lower under the solar panels, and there were less detected temperature fluctuations. A biofouling layer on the floating structure was visible in the underwater images a few months after the construction of the park.

Suggested Citation

  • Rui L. Pedroso de Lima & Katerina Paxinou & Floris C. Boogaard & Olof Akkerman & Fen-Yu Lin, 2021. "In-Situ Water Quality Observations under a Large-Scale Floating Solar Farm Using Sensors and Underwater Drones," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:6421-:d:569145
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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. Alexander E. Cagle & Alona Armstrong & Giles Exley & Steven M. Grodsky & Jordan Macknick & John Sherwin & Rebecca R. Hernandez, 2020. "The Land Sparing, Water Surface Use Efficiency, and Water Surface Transformation of Floating Photovoltaic Solar Energy Installations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-22, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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).
    2. Mohamad Al-Widyan & Mohammad Khasawneh & Muna Abu-Dalo, 2021. "Potential of Floating Photovoltaic Technology and Their Effects on Energy Output, Water Quality and Supply in Jordan," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Nobre, Regina & Boulêtreau, Stéphanie & Colas, Fanny & Azemar, Frederic & Tudesque, Loïc & Parthuisot, Nathalie & Favriou, Pierre & Cucherousset, Julien, 2023. "Potential ecological impacts of floating photovoltaics on lake biodiversity and ecosystem functioning," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    4. Nagavinothini Ravichandran & Balamurugan Paneerselvam, 2025. "Machine Learning-Based Framework to Predict the Combined Effects of Climate Change and Floating Photovoltaic Systems Installation on Water Quality of Open-Water Lakes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-26, February.
    5. Larissa de Andrade Goncalves & Larissa Faria & Michael Mannich & Marcelo Coelho & Jucimara Andreza Rigotti & Tobias Bleninger & Jean Ricardo Simoes Vitule, 2025. "A Systematic Review of Floating Photovoltaic Plant Environmental Impacts," Journal of Sustainable Development, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 18(1), pages 1-94, January.
    6. Ji, Qianfeng & Li, Kefeng & Wang, Yuanming & Feng, Jingjie & Li, Ran & Liang, Ruifeng, 2022. "Effect of floating photovoltaic system on water temperature of deep reservoir and assessment of its potential benefits, a case on Xiangjiaba Reservoir with hydropower station," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 946-956.
    7. Wei, Yujia & Khojasteh, Danial & Windt, Christian & Huang, Luofeng, 2025. "An interdisciplinary literature review of floating solar power plants," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).

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