Systematic review of floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) systems: Technologies, siting, and environmental impacts
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Full Text |
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Author |
Mohd Nizam Sudin, Nazri Md Daud, Musthafah Mohd Tahir, Mohd Asri Yusuff and Arzul Arifin
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e-ISSN |
1819-6608 |
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On Pages
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159-170
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Volume No. |
21
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Issue No. |
3
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Issue Date |
April 10, 2026
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.59018/022626
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Keywords |
floating solar photovoltaic (FPV), renewable energy systems, water-energy-environment nexus, hybrid hydropower integration, environmental sustainability, Asia-Pacific renewable energy, systematic review.
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Abstract
Floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) systems are an emerging renewable energy innovation that addresses land-use constraints while contributing to water-energy-environment synergies. This systematic review consolidates global FPV research between 2010 and 2025, following PRISMA guidelines, and evaluates the technology from technical, environmental, economic, and policy perspectives. FPV systems show consistent efficiency improvements of 7-18% compared with land-based PV, primarily due to water-based cooling effects, with reservoir-based deployment currently dominant and offshore FPV emerging as a future frontier. Environmental outcomes are dual in nature: FPV reduces evaporation and algal growth but raises unresolved questions regarding aquatic biodiversity and long-term ecological impacts. Economic studies indicate improving competitiveness, with capital costs only 5-15% higher than ground-mounted PV, offset by land savings and higher yields. Social and policy research highlights the importance of governance frameworks, incentives, and water-use regulations in scaling adoption. The review identifies critical gaps in standardized design, ecological monitoring, and offshore durability, while underscoring FPV’s multifunctional potential in hybrid hydropower integration and ecological restoration. Overall, FPV represents a promising, multidisciplinary pathway to support renewable energy transitions in Asia and globally.
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