| Work Detail |
A PSR study estimates that the economic potential ranges from 17 GW, under a fixed-price scenario, to 24 GW, considering the historical average of spot electricity prices in Brazil. Floating systems can reduce water evaporation by 30% to 50%, depending on the reservoirs area, contributing to water conservation for hydroelectric generation. Installing floating solar systems on just 1% of Brazils hydroelectric reservoir surface area could add up to 38 GW of capacity to the national electricity grid. This projection is part of an unprecedented PSR study, titled Accelerating the Brazilian Energy Transition – Solar-Hydro Synergy: An Iconic Renewable Study, which analyzes the technical, economic, regulatory, and environmental potential of integrating floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) systems into the countrys hydroelectric plants. “The integration of hydroelectric plants with floating or near-reservoir solar systems is a strategic option for Brazil to advance the energy transition with efficiency and sustainability,” says Rafael Kelman, executive director of PSR. “Its an opportunity to use existing infrastructure to rapidly expand the use of renewable sources.” The study identified an infinite theoretical generation potential (from 2,265 GW to 3,800 GW) with the installation of FPV systems across the entire surface of the countrys hydroelectric reservoirs. This is more than ten times greater than the current installed capacity of the National Interconnected System (SIN), which is 235 GW, according to the National Electric System Operator (ONS). From an economic perspective, FPV projects are viable, especially in scenarios with high energy prices in the short-term market. The economic potential ranges from 17 GW, in a fixed-price scenario, to 24 GW, considering the historical average of spot electricity prices in Brazil. From an environmental perspective, the study indicates that floating systems can reduce water evaporation by 30% to 50%, depending on the reservoir area covered, contributing to water conservation for hydroelectric generation, although the direct gain in electricity production from the saved water is modest. Hybrid operation between floating solar systems and hydropower plants also provides important synergies, such as complementary generation profiles and shared use of evacuation infrastructure, which can reduce connection costs and facilitate the integration of sources. The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of a floating solar system (374 reais - $65/MWh) is still higher than that of a land-based solar system (343 reais - $60/MWh), primarily due to the higher initial investment. However, operational and environmental factors can offset this difference, especially in areas with land-use restrictions. Despite its high potential, the technologys adoption faces challenges. The study highlights obstacles such as the risk of curtailment due to transmission grid limitations, operational restrictions on hydroelectric plants, and the need for flexible sources during periods of low demand. There are also regulatory and environmental issues that must be addressed, such as the risks of eutrophication and impacts on aquatic fauna. However, these challenges can be mitigated with good practices, such as continuous environmental monitoring and choosing areas with good water circulation. |
