Impacts of nearshore photovoltaic installation on mariculture and navigation based on the MIKE21 hydrodynamic model

The construction and operation of nearshore photovoltaic (PV) power stations could impact the marine environment and adjacent development activities. Effective preventive and control measures could mitigate such impacts to protect the marine ecology and promote sustainable development. The numerical MIKE21 model provides a reliable analysis of surface water and sediment flow, which is pertinent for validating actual water conditions, calculating hydrological changes and predicting future trends. This study examined the type and magnitude of impacts induced by nearshore photovoltaic construction on adjacent development activities. The MIKE21 model explored the three-dimensional effects of nearshore PV installation on nearby mariculture and waterway navigation. The findings indicated that during the construction and removal of the nearshore cofferdams, the area with the highest full-tide suspended sand diffusion concentration, ranging from 10 to 20 mg/L, had a slight impact on the nearby mariculture area. The final siltation of the project, much less than 0.3 m due to scouring by the incoming water from the land area, would not affect the breeding intakes and outlets. Furthermore, under proper construction management measures and tailor-made non-conventional techniques, PV installation would not destabilize nearby mariculture areas, ports, or waterway navigation. This study provides a reference for analyzing the environmental impacts of marine PV and adopting mitigation measures. • Analyzed the impacts of nearshore PV construction on the mariculture. • Analyzed the impacts of nearshore PV construction on the surrounding port as well as the navigation channels. • Put forward to the corresponding preventive and mitigation measures.