Techno-Economic Analysis of Hybrid Floating Solar Photovoltaic and Hydropower Plant

Floating solar photovoltaics (FSPV) is an emerging concept in renewable energy. The hybrid model of FSPV and hydropower plant(HPP) has more benefits than grounded PV. The installation of solar PV on water reduces the usage of land, which can be used for irrigation purposes. As floating solar PV is mounted on water, the evaporation rate of the reservoir is reduced, and hydropower plant production increases. The cooling effect occurs as PV is installed on water bodies and this helps to increase the efficiency of FSPV. This paper presents the economic analysis of a hybrid hydropower plant and FSPV at Kabini Reservoir in Mysuru, India. The different parameters viz. LCOE, NPC and Energy exchanged with the grid are analysed on a 1500 kWp FSPV and hybrid combination of 1500 kW FSPV and 1876 kW hydropower plant. The simulation studies shows that grid-connected 1500 kW FSPV gives the LCOE of 9.30 ₹/kWh and the hybrid combination of grid-connected 1500 kW FSPV and 1876 kW HPP yields an LCOE of 5.18 ₹/kWh for 2859.29 kW peak load.