On April 22 and 23, the picturesque town of Juan-les-Pins Antibes hosted SOLAR-HYDRO 2024, an event dedicated to exploring the global potential and progress in solar-hydro power. The conference focused on critical areas such as safety, new technology, environmental aspects, and finance, attracting industry leaders and experts from around the world.

ETIP HYDROPOWER, represented by our esteemed member Jean-Jaques FRY made a significant impact at the event, presenting three key strategies to enhance Floating Solar PV (FPV) deployment in Europe:

1. 1. Strategic Research Innovation Agenda: Encouraging organizations to identify essential research and innovation actions for both the Strategic Research Innovation Agenda of ETIP PV and ETIP HYDROPOWER.
   2. HORIZON R&I Framework Program: Highlighting opportunities to propose projects on floating solar PV under the European HORIZON R&I framework, aimed at scaling up sustainable FPV deployment across Europe.
   3. Collaborative Research and Innovation: Promoting the implementation of FPV research and innovation projects through direct stakeholder collaboration and in-kind contributions.

During the event, several topics requiring further research and innovation were identified:

• • Defining the maximum reservoir surface area that FPV can cover.
  • Enhancing social and environmental acceptability of projects.
  • Mitigating risks through pilot project knowledge.
  • Improving monitoring support for investors and authorities.
  • Adopting AI for FPV in mature markets.
  • Critically assessing design and construction aspects for anchors, mooring systems, and floater fatigue.
  • Increasing PV panel efficiency.
  • Conducting economic analyses on CAPEX and OPEX.
  • Establishing international standards for materials, grid codes, and environmental aspects.

To support the final point, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy announced the formation of a working group to develop directives for FPV projects in Switzerland.

For a detailed summary of the presentations and discussions, refer to Alison Bartle's article in the International Journal on Hydropower & Dams, Volume 31, Issue 3, pages 76-89.