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Floating solar PV power has been one of the most interesting and fun segments of the global solar power industry in the past decade. When it started popping onto the scene, it was catchy, but one wondered, was it really practical and cost effective? As it turns out, the benefits of solar PV that were identified early on have proven themselves as strong benefits and floating solar PV has grown by leaps and bounds.
It’s estimated that 1.5 GW to 2 GW of floating solar PV power was installed globally in 2025, and that brought the cumulative installed capacity to more than 10 GW. However, there’s still much innovation and improvement needed in order to reach new heights. One thing that needs work is making floating solar PV more fit for cold climates. That’s where Koami Soulemane Hayibo comes in.
“Koami Soulemane Hayibo, MSc, is a Togolese national who is pursuing his PhD degree in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Western University,” the university shares on a webpage focused on his idea and a paper about it: “Shining a Light on Foam-Based Floating Solar Panels and their Interactions with a Body of Water in Canada.”
