Floating Solar PV (FSPV) is an innovative technology for installing solar photovoltaic systems on bodies of water. Such systems typically utilize floating body structures to anchor the PV modules on water bodies such as lakes, reservoirs, industrial ponds, etc. Floating solar PV offers several advantages over traditional land-based solar PV systems.

Floating solar PV can save valuable land resources, especially in densely populated areas or areas with limited land resources. In addition, due to the cooling effect of the water body, PV modules mounted on the water surface can reduce heat loss and thus increase energy efficiency. This cooling effect has been reported to increase the efficiency of PV modules by 5-16%. In addition, bodies of water reduce evaporation losses, which is particularly beneficial in water-stressed regions.

Floating solar PV projects are gaining attention worldwide and several projects have been implemented in several countries and regions. For example, in India, floating solar PV projects are favored for their efficient use of land resources and low environmental impact. In addition, some companies are developing offshore floating solar technologies to cope with harsher marine environments.

However, floating solar PV also faces some challenges. For example, installation costs are high and require special designs to adapt to the water environment. In addition, in some cases, such as in the Philippines, local fishermen are concerned that the technology may affect their livelihoods.

Overall, floating solar PV has significant potential and advantages as an emerging renewable energy technology, but there are a number of technical and environmental challenges that need to be overcome in order to achieve wider application and development.