State-of-the-Art of Floating PV Development in the Indonesian Waters

Abstract In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on reducing Indonesia’s reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation by promoting the development of renewable energy-based power plants. Among the renewable energy sources, solar energy holds great potential in Indonesia, given its abundant availability throughout the year. This presents favourable prospects for the establishment of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants, both in ground-mounted and floating sub-structure configurations. However, the deployment of ground-mounted PV plants raises concerns regarding land usage, particularly for large-scale installations. Moreover, the environmental temperature in tropical regions like Indonesia can adversely affect the efficiency of PV panels in land installations. Water bodies offer an alternative location for PV installations to mitigate these challenges, as water can help alleviate the temperature impact on PV panels. Considering Indonesia’s archipelago geography, seas emerge as an attractive option for large-scale PV power plant development. However, numerous challenges arise when implementing floating PV (FPV) technology in open seas. This paper explores the ongoing advancements in marine FPV technology and addresses the challenges associated with installing FPV systems in Indonesian seas. These efforts aim to support the fundamental development of the country’s electricity infrastructure, encompassing aspects such as reliability, affordability, and social acceptability.