The Institute has signed a new research contract for young researchers (STAREBEI) with the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Bologna for a study on “Assessing the potential for Floating Solar Technology (FPV) in the European market”.

The research grant will last 11 months and is the third signed in 2021 following those with the University of Luxembourg and Sapienza Università di Roma.

The research project aims to estimate the potential of the FPV technology already successfully implemented in projects in Europe such as Alto Rabagão Photovoltaic Park in Portugal or floating solar park in Brindisi (Italy). The analysis will focus on economic, environmental, and spatial assessments, thereby shining light on the various impacts and benefits of developing these technologies. It will include a technological overview of FPV current system designs, their benefits compared to ground-mounted systems, their key technological challenges as well as the environmental and hydrological impacts.

STAREBEI (STAges de REcherche BEI-EIB research internships) is a programme that provides grants to universities in order to finance junior researchers carrying out research projects proposed by the EIB Group (EIB and EIF) under the joint supervision of a university tutor and an EIB or EIF co-tutor. To date, 64 young researchers from 41 universities in 14 European countries have benefited from the 59 STAREBEI research grants signed under the STAREBEI programme.