Ecological models to manage and understand the effects of floating photovoltaics on aquatic ecosystems

Floating photovoltaics (FPVs), an emerging technology used to harvest solar energy from the surface of waterbodies, has grown rapidly in recent years with the increase in initiatives to decarbonize energy production. However, much of the literature on environmental impacts of FPVs focuses on water quality rather than on impacts on biotic processes such as primary production, which is the foundation of the aquatic food web in many lakes and reservoirs. This project will assess effects of various management scenarios for FPVs on two key groups of primary producers, macrophytes and phytoplankton. To this end, we will modify an extant mathematical model, GPLake-M, to allow for varying levels of shading and surface coverage by FPVs. The model will then be used to simulate the influence of FPVs on phytoplankton-macrophyte dynamics both in vertically mixed and vertically layered communities. Management insights resulting from this project will benefit both Brazil and Canada, both of which have vast extensions of inland waters and thus great potential for energy production through FPVs.

Faculty Supervisor:

Marco A. R. Rodriguez

Student:

Partner:

Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Environmental Science and Technology; Sustainability & the Environment; Green/Alternative Energy

University:

Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

Program: