The installation of floating solar systems on just 1% of the surface area of Brazilian hydroelectric reservoirs could add up to 38 gigawatts (GW) of capacity to the national electricity grid. The projection is part of an unprecedented study by PSR, entitled “Accelerating the Brazilian Energy Transition – Solar-Hydro Synergy: An Iconic Renewable Study”, which analyzes the technical, economic, regulatory and environmental potential of integrating floating photovoltaic solar systems (FPV) into hydroelectric plants in the country.
“The integration of hydroelectric plants and floating solar systems or systems near reservoirs is a strategic option for Brazil to advance the energy transition efficiently and sustainably,” says Rafael Kelman, executive director of PSR. “This is an opportunity to use the existing infrastructure to rapidly expand the use of renewable sources”.
The study identified a theoretical “infinite” generation potential (from 2,265 GW to 3,800 GW) with the installation of FPV systems across the entire surface of the country’s hydroelectric reservoirs. This is more than ten times greater than the current installed capacity of the National Interconnected System (SIN) of 235 GW, according to the National Electric System Operator (ONS).
From an economic standpoint, 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, when 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 between 30% and 50%, depending on the area covered by the reservoir, contributing to water conservation for hydroelectric generation, although the direct gain in electricity production with the water saved is modest.
Hybrid operations between floating solar systems and hydroelectric plants also bring important synergies, such as complementary generation profiles and shared use of the drainage infrastructure, which can reduce connection costs and facilitate the integration of sources.
The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of a floating solar system (R$ 374/MWh) is still higher than that of a terrestrial solar system (R$ 343/MWh), mainly due to the higher initial investment value. However, operational and environmental factors can offset this difference, especially in places with land use restrictions.
Despite the high potential, the adoption of the technology faces challenges. The study highlights obstacles such as the risk of generation cuts (curtailment) due to limitations in the transmission network, operational restrictions of hydroelectric plants and the need for flexible sources in periods of low demand.
There are also regulatory and environmental aspects that need to 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 the selection of areas with good water circulation.
With the growing need for diversification and sustainability in the electricity grid, the PSR study reinforces the strategic role of the combination of floating solar energy and hydroelectric power, pointing out viable renewable paths to accelerate the energy transition in Brazil.
To read the full report, visit: https://psr-energy.com/docs/psr_insight_floating_solar.pdf
