Photo report
Photovoltaics: what impact on our lakes?
The development of floating photovoltaic power plants on lakes raises a key question: how does this technology affect aquatic biodiversity and the functioning of lake ecosystems?
For the past five years, scientists have been carrying out an in-depth study of some fifteen lakes, including the Peyssies lake in Haute-Garonne, where a solar power plant developed by Urbasolar covers 50% of the surface. This partial coverage can alter key parameters such as water temperature, luminosity and oxygenation, and have an impact on primary production. Field observations are combined with experiments in the Moulis Aquatic Metatron mesocosms, which simulate on a small scale the ecosystem of lakes equipped with floating photovoltaic power plants, while controlling the characteristics of the ecosystems. One of the aims of this research is to provide robust scientific data for public authorities and renewable energy developers. The aim is to support the energy transition while preserving the ecological balance of aquatic environments.
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