Global Floating Solar Panels Market 2025–2034

Reports Description

Global Floating Solar Panels Market was valued at USD 37.3 Million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 190.6 Million by 2033, at a CAGR of 23.3% during the forecast period 2024 – 2033.

Floating solar panels are photovoltaic panels installed on a building that floats on a body of water, such as a reservoir, river, or ocean. They are often referred to as floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems or floating solar farms.

Floating Solar Panels Market: Growth Factors

Rising emphasis on renewable power generation

The market for floating solar panels has been significantly influenced by the growing emphasis on renewable power generation. Renewable energy options are growing as traditional energy sources come under investigation because of environmental concerns.

Using water features like ponds, lakes, and reservoirs, floating solar panels provide a novel way to address land use problems and improve the efficiency of energy production through natural cooling effects. Furthermore, the growing implementation of floating solar systems is consistent with initiatives to optimize spatial usage and tackle land shortage issues.

Globally, governments and energy corporations are investing more and more in floating solar technology because of cost-effectiveness, regulatory incentives, and the goal of diversifying energy portfolios while cutting carbon emissions. The increasing need for sustainable energy solutions is driving the floating solar panels market forward as a promising renewable energy option.

For instance, with cleaner fuel technology, OSRTC improves 38% of the fleet to reduce carbon emissions by 11 million tons. Tata Steel Mining and GAIL strike an agreement to get clean fuel. India claims that Russia and Brazil are interested in its proposed alliance for biofuels.

Government incentives and subsidies

Government grants and incentives are essential for driving the floating solar panel sector. These incentives frequently take the form of grants, tax breaks, or laws designed to encourage the use of renewable energy. Governments promote investment in floating solar projects by providing such incentives, increasing the projects’ financial viability for companies and investors.

Furthermore, subsidies can lower the initial costs of floating solar systems, which shortens the payback time and makes the projects more appealing to stakeholders. In addition, laws and incentives that are supportive of the floating solar business foster a competitive and innovative ecosystem that lowers prices and promotes growth in the sector.

In general, government grants and incentives play a significant role in hastening the adoption of floating solar panels and advancing the transition towards sustainable energy sources. For instance, India has nearly 170MW of floating solar projects in operation compared to 57.7 GW total installed solar capacity.

Floating Solar Panels Market: Restraints

Unpredictability of wind conditions

In water bodies where floating solar arrays are situated, strong winds can create turbulence and waves that could damage or shift the panels, frameworks for support, and grounding systems. The possibility of equipment failure and maintenance expenses are raised by this instability. Furthermore, shifting wind patterns may have an effect on the floating photovoltaic panels’ stability and orientation, which might affect the panels’ overall operation and effectiveness in generating electricity.

Unpredictable winds can further complicate the planning and construction of floating solar installations by obstructing layout and configuration optimization for optimal energy generation. To limit the effects of wind unpredictability on floating solar projects, addressing these difficulties needs creative technical solutions, such as strong anchoring systems, adaptable floating platforms, and cutting-edge monitoring technology.

Floating Solar Panels Market: Opportunities

Abundance of large surface area of water bodies

One important factor driving the market for floating solar panels is the quantity of enormous usable surface area on aquatic bodies. This large surface area presents a desirable chance to install solar panels, reducing the need for additional land and possibly resolving conflicts between land uses.

Floating solar panels make it possible to generate renewable energy from underused resources like reservoirs, lakes, and ponds by using this area. Furthermore, the presence of water bodies can result in fewer shading barriers and more continuous sunshine exposure, both of which can improve the effectiveness of solar panels.

In addition to producing electricity, floating solar panels may also assist in lowering water evaporation, managing the spread of algae, and enhancing water quality. Therefore, the abundance of surface areas on aquatic bodies offers a strong chance for the development and adoption of floating solar panels worldwide.

Floating Solar Panels Market: Segmentation Analysis

Global Floating Solar Panels market is segmented by type, end user, and region.  Based on type, the market is classified into tracking floating solar panels, and stationary floating solar panels. Stationary floating solar panels dominated the market in 2023 with a market share of 80.7% and are expected to keep their dominance during the forecast period 2025-2034.

Stationary floating solar panels are crucial in propelling the floating solar panels business owing to multiple benefits. These systems increase the efficiency of land utilization, especially in heavily populated places where available land is limited, by installing solar panels on water bodies. Water features also naturally cool solar panels, increasing their longevity and performance.

By guaranteeing stability and dependability, the fixed architecture allays worries about panel movement. Furthermore, by lowering evaporation and algal development, floating solar panels help to conserve water and maintain aquatic ecosystems.

To take advantage of these advantages, stakeholders are putting more money into stationary floating solar panel projects, which is propelling the market’s expansion. Their work addresses land issues while highlighting the revolutionary possibility of using water surfaces to produce sustainable energy.

Based on end users, the market is classified into agriculture, commercial, industrial, residential, and government. Industrial dominated the market in 2023 with a market share of 40.5% and is expected to keep its dominance during the forecast period 2025-2034.

Large water bodies, such as reservoirs or industrial ponds, are frequently found in industrial facilities, including manufacturing plants and refineries, making the installation of floating solar panels a practical solution. By utilizing the advantage of underutilized water surfaces, these facilities can maximize their land usage and increase their ability to generate renewable energy.

In addition, to lower their energy expenses and carbon footprint, industrial players are progressively embracing sustainability goals and looking for renewable energy sources. Furthermore, floating rooftop solar panels are appealing for industrial applications because of their scalability and flexibility, which enable simple extension and reconfiguration to satisfy changing energy requirements.

Overall, the use of floating solar technology by the industrial sector is propelling market expansion through the promotion of environmental stewardship, creativity, and improved energy efficiency.

Report Scope

Floating Solar Panels Market: Regional Analysis

By region, Floating Solar Panels market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa. The Asia-Pacific dominated the global Floating Solar Panels market in 2023 with a market share of 40.5% and is expected to keep its dominance during the forecast period 2025-2034.

The region’s plentiful water resources, such as lakes, ponds, and dams, present numerous possibilities for the installation of floating solar power panels. These bodies of water frequently coexist with other infrastructure, such as irrigation reservoirs or hydroelectric dams, providing complementary advantages and effective land use.

Furthermore, the Asia-Pacific region’s nations deal with serious issues such as land shortages and conflicting land-use objectives like urbanization and agriculture. By taking advantage of normally unutilized water surfaces, floating solar panels offer a workable option that reduces land limitations and provides a different kind of renewable energy.

The region’s steadfast dedication to environmental objectives and renewable energy targets also encourages the deployment of floating solar technology. Several encouraging laws, subsidies, and regulatory frameworks have been put in place by governments in Asia-Pacific, notably those in Japan, India, China, and South Korea, to promote investment in renewable energy projects, notably floating solar arrays.

Moreover, these projects are growing financially possible and appealing to investors in the Asia-Pacific area because of the falling costs of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology and developments in floating solar panel design and installation procedures.

In conclusion, the advantages floating solar panels provide to the environment, such as decreased water evaporation, suppressed algae development, and enhanced water quality, are consistent with the area’s emphasis on tackling environmental sustainability and climate change.

The Asia-Pacific area is a major participant in the global renewable energy landscape because of its advantageous geographical circumstances, supporting regulations, technology breakthroughs, and environmental considerations. These factors have combined to fuel the expansion of the floating solar panels market.

Floating Solar Panels Market: Recent Developments

• In March 2023, Sungrow FPV, won a major deal to supply its cutting-edge floating solar panels for Indonesia’s most expanding floating solar project. System deliveries from Sungrow FPV were anticipated to commence the 192 MW Cirata floating solar venture.

• In April 2023, Canadian company Brookfield Renewable Energy disclosed plans to construct a 100 MW floating solar project in Brazil.

• In July 2023, Sarawak Energy entered into a partnership with China-based Trina Solar business to launch its first substantial floating solar power project.

List of the prominent players in the Floating Solar Panels Market:

• Ciel et Terre International
• Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd.
• Kyocera Corporation
• JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd.
• Trina Solar Limited
• SPG Solar
• Floating Solar UK Ltd.
• Vikram Solar Limited
• Yingli Solar
• Canadian Solar Inc.
• Solaris Synergy Ltd.
• Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd.
• Solaris Energy Pvt. Ltd.
• Faraday Solar
• First Solar Inc.
• Hanwha Q CELLS Co. Ltd.
• REC Solar Holdings AS
• SolarWorld AG
• SunPower Corporation
• Sharp Corporation
• Others

These key players are adopting various growth strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, expansion, strategic alliances, new product launches, etc. to enhance their business operations and revenues.

The Floating Solar Panels Market is segmented as follows:

By Type

• Tracking Floating Solar Panels
• Stationary Floating Solar Panels

By End User

• Agriculture
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Residential
• Government

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Russia
• Italy
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America