Possibilities of Installing Floating Solar Photovoltaics on Kaloni Bay, Geras Bay and Pagasitikos Bay in Greece

The use of floating photovoltaics in marine environment is an emerging technology without commercial applications worldwide. Although floating photovoltaics have been installed in several fresh water bodies their use in marine environment presents many challenges. Greece is a good candidate for installing offshore floating solar photovoltaic systems due to high solar irradiance and the long coastline in the country. The possibility of using floating solar photovoltaics in three gulfs in Greece has been investigated. These gulfs have been selected due to their calm environmental conditions and their low water depth. Several studies regarding the pilot use of floating photovoltaics in coastal areas have been reviewed and the problems related with their application have been considered. The main drawbacks of marine-related floating solar photovoltaics include the impact of environmental conditions such as wind, wave and current on the floating structures, the corrosive nature of sea water, the interference with the aquatic species and the mooring of the floating structures. The annual electricity generation from floating photovoltaics covering only 1% of the surface area in Kalloni Bay, Geras Bay and Pagasitikos bay, Greece has been evaluated at 148.5 GWh, 56.7 GWh and 236.25 GWh correspondingly. Our results could be useful to policy makers, to local authorities and to energy companies installing solar photovoltaic systems.