Global floating solar capacity is projected to expand rapidly over the next decade, reaching around 77 GW of installed capacity by 2033, with the Asia-Pacific region expected to lead this growth. This expansion reflects falling generation costs, currently between USD 0.05 and 0.07 per kWh, and continued design innovations that are making floating solar a viable alternative to land-based systems. The Global Floating Solar Framework consolidates global experience and presents it in a form that is practical, actionable, and adaptable. The framework equips countries with the tools to develop strategies tailored to their unique geographies, markets, and social contexts.
The report “Global Floating Solar Framework” published by The International Solar Alliance is structured around four key dimensions: technical design and safety, policy and regulatory readiness, financial and commercial mechanisms, and environmental and social considerations. Each of these dimensions is significant on its own, yet their greatest impact is realized when they are addressed in an integrated and coordinated manner. Floating solar offers benefits that extend beyond energy generation. It can help conserve water, relieve pressure on land resources, and enhance energy security, particularly for countries dependent on imported fuels. For small island developing states and emerging economies, floating solar exemplifies how innovation can transform constraints into opportunities. The report serves as a practical guide to help policy makers design enabling regulations and investment environments, and project implementers translate technical, environmental, and financial considerations into bankable projects. By providing structured guidance on policy readiness, technical design, financing models, and environmental safeguards, the framework enables countries to accelerate deployment safely and effectively.
Access the report here