Lake photovoltaic (PV) is a new type of solar PV layout after land PV. Due to the large differences in hydrothermal conditions between the lake and land surface, PV panels will convert part of the short-wave solar radiation received by the lake surface into electrical energy. 

This will affect the radiation and energy balance of the original lake system. Besides, it is not clear how the lake radiation energy will change after the PV arrays are installed. 

Recently, a research team led by Prof. GAO Xiaoqing from the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources of the Chinese Academy of Sciences analyzed the effects of fishery PV power (FPV) on near-surface meteorology and energy balance.  

Related results were published in Renewable Energy. 

The researchers used eddy covariance observation data from June 2020 to May 2021 to reveal the process of energy balance modified by FPV on the lake and evaluate the impact of FPV arrays on local surface climate. 

They found that FPV arrays showed unobvious heating effect on the ambient environment during the entire observational period. For the microclimate condition, the FPV array affected the wind speed and direction. With the wind flowing through the FPV array, the tilted FPV panel resisted the wind speed and changed the flowing air direction in the FPV site relative to the reference site to redistribute the wind pattern. 

"The long-wave radiation increased after the PV site was installed, which indirectly confirmed the existence of the thermal effect of the PV power site on the lake surface," said Prof. GAO. However, the data showed that the FPV array still had a limited range of heating effect on water temperature. 

In addition, in terms of energy fluxes, the FPV models changed the underlying surface, which leaded to a lower emissivity and heat capacity, and a higher surface area and roughness in the FPV site than in the reference site.

This study provides data supports for the development of FPV power sites in the lake surface, which will help to realize sustainable development of solar energy resources and carbon goals.