Organic photovoltaic water reservoir covers – dual purpose land use, renewable electricity and water conservation

Abstract

This paper presents a novel water reservoir cover using semi-transparent Organic Photovoltaics (OPV), that addresses water, energy and land shortages in addition to water quality improvements, by creating a dual-purpose usage of land resources by both generating electricity and reducing evaporation, whilst at the same time preserving or enhancing water quality. A simulation of the effect of the OPV cover on water temperature and evaporation is presented, as well as a discussion on the different variables influencing its viability. The filtering out of parts of the IR spectrum and 400–550 nm parts of the spectrum reduced both water temperatures and evaporation, which could thereby improve water quality.

Keywords

• dual purpose land use
• evaporation
• floatovoltaics
• organic photovoltaics
• renewable electricity
• water conservation
• water reservoirs