Article Date: May 14, 2026
The article summarizes new research from Sapienza University of Rome on the technical potential of offshore floating solar PV in Italy. Using a geospatial multi-criteria assessment model, the researchers found that deploying floating PV on only about 2% of Italy’s technically feasible offshore solar area could theoretically generate enough electricity to meet the country’s annual demand of 306.1 TWh.
The study identified the most suitable deployment zones as near-shore areas in the Adriatic Sea, the Gulf of Taranto, parts of Sicily, and areas near Sardinia. These locations were favored because of factors such as moderate wave and wind conditions, suitable water depth, and relatively short distance to shore.
The researchers assessed feasibility using 10 parameters, including wave height and period, wind speed, currents, bathymetry, distance from shore, fishing activity, protected marine areas, and ferry routes. They also created a Hydrodynamic Severity Index to better capture the stresses floating structures would face offshore.
The article notes that offshore floating PV is still at an early stage and faces challenges such as seawater corrosion, wave and wind stress, higher maintenance needs, higher costs, and possible environmental impacts. However, it also highlights potential advantages, including high solar exposure, cooler operating conditions, limited visual impact, and the possibility of sharing infrastructure with offshore wind farms.
Others studies also found huge potential for other countries, such as near-equatorial Southeast Asia.
Source: pv magazine Global