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Lilouann Nevelstyn
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Behind every successful floating solar project lies a careful development process involving multiple stakeholders. Among them, project developers play a major role in transforming potential water bodies into viable floating photovoltaic (FPV) assets. In particular, they are responsible for conducting preliminary studies. Indeed, before a floating solar plant can be installed, several studies must be conducted to assess the site’s technical feasibility, environmental compatibility, and regulatory constraints. From environmental impact assessments to bathymetric surveys and permitting procedures, each step contributes to ensuring the long-term performance, safety and sustainability of the project.
Key studies to plan at the beginning of a floating solar project
According to the European Commission, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) evaluates how a public or private project may affect the environment. It also considers impacts on biodiversity, cultural heritage, landscapes, and local activities, with the objective of avoiding, reducing, or compensating for potential negative effects. For floating solar projects, the EIA represents a critical milestone and typically includes several technical and environmental assessments.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):
Soil analysis of the bank and reservoir bed:
A robust soil assessment is essential to evaluate whether the site conditions are suitable for the long-term installation of a floating solar power plant. The process generally follows several steps:
- Collecting soil samples from different locations across the site
- Preparing and conditioning the samples
- Performing physical tests
- Conducting chemical tests
- Carrying out biological tests
Theses analyses provide valuable information regarding:
- Soil pH levels
- Salinity and electricity conductivity
- Organic matter content
- Nutrient concentrations
- Presence of trace elements and heavy metals
We must pay particular attention to heavy metals. While some metals such as copper, manganese, iron, zinc and nickel are essential micronutrients, excessive concentrations may affect vegetation and wildlife. Other elements, including cadmium, mercury, lead and arsenic, can be toxic even at low concentrations. If the measured parameters comply with applicable standards, the site may be considered suitable for FPV installation. Otherwise, unsuitable soil conditions may accelerate material degradation, increase the risk of mooring rope damage, or contribute to long-term stress on PV modules. To carry out the environmental impact assessment properly, water quality analyses must also be performed.
WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT
Water quality assessment is a key component of the Environmental Impact Assessment, as it helps determine whether the water body is compatible with a floating solar installation and its long-term operation.
Key parameters to assess
To ensure a reliable and durable project, the analysis focuses on a few essential parameters that can directly influence both environmental conditions and system performance:
- Salinity indicates the concentration of dissolved salts in the water. High salinity levels may accelerate corrosion and impact the durability of floating structures and anchoring systems.
- Conductivity reflects the presence of dissolved minerals and ions in the water. It provides useful insight into water composition and helps identify conditions that could affect system performance or material behaviour.
- Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium or arsenic must be carefully monitored. Even at low concentrations, they can pose risks to aquatic ecosystems and contribute to long-term material degradation.
- pH level measures the acidity or alkalinity of the water. Extreme pH values can affect the chemical stability of materials and may also disrupt the surrounding aquatic environment.
©AtlasScientific
By focusing on these key indicators, developers can quickly assess potential constraints and adapt the project design accordingly, ensuring both environmental compatibility and long-term reliability. On Ciel & Terre’s side, knowing these parameters is essential for selecting the materials and components best suited to the type of water.
Additional environmental assessments:
Beyond soil and water analyses, the EIA may also include assessments related to:
- Air quality and greenhouse gas emissions
- Climate conditions
- Landscape integration
- Material assets and infrastructure
- Cultural heritage and local activities, including fishing
- Land use
- Biodiversity and protected species
Together, these studies help determine whether the site is suitable for floating solar project development while identifying potential environmental and technical risks to be addressed with adapted solutions.
Bathymetry and Topography:
Bathymetry surveys are crucial for floating solar projects, as they provide the necessary water depth measurements for oceans, seas, lakes or any water bodies. These data are required for every project to ensure precise designs and reliable anchoring systems over time.
Why is a bathymetry survey important?
Firstly, bathymetric data help optimize the plant layout by taking into account water depth variations and fluctuating water levels, both of which may directly affect the performance and stability of the installation over time.
It allows also the identification of underwater obstacles including rocks, sandbars, reliefs, submerged structures, or seaweed, depending on the technology used. This information is essential for evaluating the feasibility and safety of floating structures and anchoring systems and defining the size, shape, and position of the future floating islands. Even when the lake is empty, this information is a key factor driving the feasibility of FPV plant.
This will therefore have a significant impact on the type and design of the anchoring system required to withstand these fluctuations in water level.
Read more about anchoring
Topographical surveys complement bathymetric analyses by evaluating the environment surrounding the project site above water level.
These studies generally include:
- Shoreline configuration
- Terrain elevation
- Access roads
- Existing infrastructure
- Electrical connection points
Bathymetry and topography are closely connected and must be analyzed together to ensure a secure, optimized, and cost-effective FPV design.
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Why are these studies necessary?
With the advancement of new technologies in renewable energy, floating solar power plants still at an early stage regarding both local and global regulations. Therefore, at Ciel & Terre, we recognized the importance of establishing concrete processes for our innovations.
To mitigate potential challenges, we have implemented a rigorous preliminary checklist that incorporates comprehensive environmental studies, including bathymetry, topography, soil, and water analysis.
Conducting these studies is crucial to prevent wrong design or improper execution of floating solar installations. Issues such as :
- Incorrectly mounted panels, which could lead to micro-cracks in modules.
- Improper cable management due to inaccurate bathymetric data,
- Materials that are not suitable for corrosive water
The lack of environmental factor studies may result in panel degradation, damage to the structure or other components and diminished long-term performance.
By conducting these assessments during the early stages of development, project stakeholders can significantly reduce technical risks while improving project durability, environmental integration, and long-term performance.
Our engineering services
At Ciel & Terre, our engineering services are designed to support project developers from the earliest stages of floating solar feasibility through to project design. By combining field experience with site-specific data, we help translate initial project assumptions into reliable technical solutions.
Rendering
At an early stage of development, it is essential to visualise how the floating solar plant will integrate into its environment. Our rendering services provide realistic visual representations of the future installation, taking into account the site’s characteristics and preliminary design assumptions.These visual simulations help stakeholders to:
- Better understand the overall project layout
- Evaluate different design options
- Facilitate discussions with local authorities, investors and communities etc.
Beyond visual communication, renderings also support early feasibility by providing a first technical and economic projection of the project.
Technical pack
To support project development, we provide comprehensive technical documentation packages that consolidate the key engineering assumptions of the floating solar system.
These technical packs typically include:
- Preliminary layouts of the floating PV plant
- Design specifications of the floating structure
- Key technical considerations related to installation and integration
- Planning elements to structure project development
This documentation helps align all stakeholders around a clear and shared vision of the project, while reducing uncertainties during the early development phase.
Preliminary anchoring study
The anchoring system is a critical component of any floating solar installation, as it ensures the stability and safety of the plant over time.
Our preliminary anchoring studies aim to define the most suitable mooring and anchoring configuration based on the specific conditions of the site, including bathymetry, water level variations, soil type, environmental loads etc.
Through this analysis, we are able to:
- Identify the most appropriate anchoring technologies (plate anchors, screw anchors, concrete blocks etc.)
- Estimate load distribution across the floating structure
- Anticipate potential technical constraints
By addressing these aspects early in the project, developers can optimise the design and avoid costly adjustments during later stages.
Discover our engineering services
Developing a floating solar project requires a structured and rigorous approach, starting well before any installation takes place. From environmental impact assessments to bathymetric surveys and preliminary engineering studies, each step is essential to confirm floating solar feasibility and ensure the long-term success of the project.
By carrying out these analyses early on, project developers can better anticipate site constraints, reduce technical risks and design solutions that are adapted to both environmental conditions and regulatory requirements.
At Ciel & Terre, our role is to support this process with proven engineering expertise, helping turn initial project concepts into reliable, safe and sustainable floating solar installations.
By Lilouann, marketing
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