SPARKLES: Responsible Upscaling of Floating Solar

De-carbonization of the energy supply sector is a key priority to meet the goals of the Dutch Climate Act. Solar power is generally considered a desirable alternative to fossil fuels, but the installation of these photovoltaic systems (PV) requires considerable space. Floating Photovoltaics (FPV) on inland waters offer a promising solution. However, their environmental impact remains poorly understood, and policy and legislation concerning their implementation are not yet in place.

SPARKLES aims to develop sustainable, nature-inclusive solutions for FPV. Specifically, SPARKLES addresses the disconnect of the domains of energy science, ecology and governance that currently hampers responsible upscaling of FPV. By creating interdisciplinary frameworks and fostering collaboration with stakeholders, SPARKLES seeks to balance energy needs with ecological and social benefits across local, regional, and national scales.