Mathematical modeling suggests high potential for the deployment of floating photovoltaic on fish ponds
Journal
Science of the Total Environment
Journal Volume
687
Pages
654-666
Date Issued
2019
Author(s)
Abstract
Rising energy needs and pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have led to a significant increase in solar power projects worldwide. Recently, the development of floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems offers promising opportunities for land scarce areas. We present a dynamic model that simulates the main biochemical processes in a milkfish (Chanos chanos) pond subject to FPV cover. We validated the model against experimental data collected from ponds with and without cover during two production seasons (winter and summer) and used it to perform a Monte-Carlo analysis of the ecological effects of different extents of cover. Our results show that the installation of FPV on fish ponds may have a moderate negative impact on fish production, due to a reduction in dissolved oxygen levels. However, losses in fish production are more than compensated by gains in terms of energy (capacity of around 1.13 MW/ha). We estimated that, with approximately 40,000 ha of aquaculture ponds in Taiwan, the deployment of FPV on fish ponds in Taiwan could accommodate an installed capacity more twice as high as the government's objective of 20 GW solar power by 2025. We argue that the rules and regulations pertaining to the integration of FPV on fish ponds should be updated to allow realizing the full potential of this new green technology. © 2019
Subjects
Aquaculture; Aquavoltaics; Floating PV; Floatovoltaics; Water-food-energy nexus
Other Subjects
Aquaculture; Dissolved oxygen; Fish; Fish ponds; Gas emissions; Greenhouse gases; Ponds; Solar energy; Aquavoltaics; Biochemical process; Dissolved oxygen levels; Floating PV; Floatovoltaics; Installed capacity; Monte carlo analysis; Rules and regulations; Lakes; dissolved oxygen; anthropogenic effect; aquaculture; dissolved oxygen; floating structure; Monte Carlo analysis; numerical model; photovoltaic system; pond; regulatory framework; solar power; aquaculture; Article; biochemistry; Chanos chanos; controlled study; electrostimulation; environmental impact; fish; mathematical model; Monte Carlo method; nonhuman; nuclear energy; pond; priority journal; seasonal variation; solar energy; Taiwan; water temperature; procedures; theoretical model; Taiwan; Chanos chanos; Aquaculture; Models, Theoretical; Solar Energy
Type
journal article