Assessment of Technical Potential of Floating Solar Panels in the Republic of Tajikistan

The development of solar photovoltaic energy is becoming a global trend due to technological advances and decreasing costs of photovoltaic systems. Due to the expansion of the economy and rapid urbanization, the demand for electricity is steadily increasing. With hydropower resources unable to fully meet the country's needs, there is a need to diversify the country's energy balance. One of the most promising areas of such diversification is the utilization of renewable energy sources, including solar and wind energy. This article presents the features of using floating solar photovoltaic installations in hydropower plant reservoirs. The main advantages and disadvantages of creating such integrated energy systems are outlined. The technical potentials of floating solar photovoltaic installations in hydropower plant reservoirs in the Republic of Tajikistan are evaluated. The technical potential of floating solar photovoltaic installations, when covering 1 % of the total area of reservoirs of hydropower plants in Tajikistan, their capacity will be more than 1200 MW, and when using 5 %, approximately 6288 MW. Global energy demand is constantly growing. At the same time, it is critical to reduce greenhouse gas emissions promptly to prevent additional irreversible warming, which would have significant economic and humanitarian repercussions.