Floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) is gaining attraction globally, as countries seek to expand renewable energy while addressing land constraints and making better use of their waterbodies. The report “Scaling Up Floating Solar Photovoltaic Systems”, by the Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy, IIT Roorkee, in August 2026, reviews policy, regulatory and incentive frameworks for FPV across China, Japan, the Netherlands, the US, Malaysia, Taiwan, Israel, South Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Türkiye and Italy. A country-wise summary based on the report follows…

China

China’s FPV growth is guided by the 14th Five-Year Plan for Renewable Energy Development and the Smart Solar PV Industry Innovation and Development Action Plan. Rather than relying on fixed feed-in tariffs (FiTs), the government has shifted new solar projects, including FPV, to market-based pricing and competitive bidding to achieve grid parity. Zoning restrictions guide projects towards thermal discharge zones, salt ponds and aquaculture sites, with environmental impact assessments mandatory for offshore installations. Provinces such as Shandong offer development plans, financial support and reduced sea-use fees, while integrated “PV+” models combine FPV with agriculture and fisheries. The Poverty Alleviation Programme has also supported FPV in repurposed coal mining areas. Additional government support mechanisms include a push towards grid parity through market competition, targeted subsidies for rural and western regions, research and development (R&D), and tax incentives to improve module efficiency, and the use of green bonds to finance renewable energy projects, including large offshore FPV installations such as the one in Laizhou Bay.

Japan

Japan’s FPV framework is anchored in the FiT and feed-in premium (FiP) schemes administered by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The sixth and seventh Strategic Energy Plans set renewable energy targets of 36-38 per cent by 2030, with solar expected to become the leading renewable source by 2040. Subsidies of up to JPY 150 million per project support FPV deployment in land-scarce areas, while projects above 40 MW require environmental impact assessments. Japan’s Green Transformation strategy and R&D support, including pilot testing of sea-based FPV in Tokyo Bay to examine durability against salt damage and mooring performance, further encourage the technology. Under the FiT scheme, utilities are required to purchase power from certified facilities at fixed rates for periods of 10-20 years, while the newer FiP scheme requires larger projects to sell in the wholesale market with a government-set premium on top.

The Netherlands

The Dutch government supports FPV through the SDE++ subsidy scheme, the SolarNL innovation programme and integration with offshore wind tenders, targeting 3 GW of combined capacity by 2032. The National Energy and Climate Plan aims for 70 per cent renewable electricity by 2030, and the STOWA guide provides instructions for licensing and environmental evaluation of FPV projects on waterbodies. The National Climate Agreement further reinforces emission reduction targets relevant to floating solar deployment.

The US

FPV development in the US involves federal guidance from agencies such as National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Department of Energy, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Army Corps of Engineers, combined with state-level incentives. The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 allocated funding to assess FPV potential on federally managed waterbodies. Investment and Production Tax Credits reduce project costs, while states such as Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York offer additional incentives, including a dedicated FPV “adder” under Massachusetts’ SMART Programme. Permitting remains complex, requiring compliance with the Endangered Species Act, water quality standards and multi-agency review, particularly for projects on federal waters, where lease agreements and environmental reviews are handled by multiple bodies including the Bureau of Reclamation and the Fish and Wildlife Service. Grid interconnection rules are set separately by regional grid operators and technical standards specific to FPV are still evolving in the country.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s framework combines net energy metering, FiT and the Large-Scale Solar (LSS) tender programme, with the LSS PETRA round allocating a dedicated 500 MW package for FPV. The Renewable Energy Act of 2011 established the FiT system, while the National Energy Transition Facility provides financing for green projects. The National Green Technology Policy offers tax exemptions and allowances, and the 2025 Solar Energy Self-Consumption Programme removed prior capacity limits for FPV installations. However, the report notes that water rights, environmental regulations and jurisdictional overlap between state and federal authorities have not fully kept pace with FPV, creating legal uncertainty that could affect the country’s broader renewable energy goals, unless addressed through clearer legislation.

Taiwan

Land scarcity and a target of 20 GW renewable capacity by 2030 are driving Taiwan’s FPV growth. FiTs offer technology-specific, tiered rates revised twice yearly, and environmental impact assessments are mandatory for FPV projects above 25 MW on reservoirs. Taiwan’s distinctive AquaPV (Aquavoltaics) policy promotes FPV on fishponds, capping coverage at 40 per cent of the farm area, while requiring at least 70 per cent of the original aquaculture output to be maintained, alongside R&D subsidies for supporting technologies.

Israel

Israel’s policy centres on a 30 per cent renewable electricity target by 2030, with dual-use solar, combining FPV with agrivoltaics and rooftop systems – seen as key to overcoming land constraints. Competitive auctions have replaced FiTs, pushing power purchase prices towards grid parity, while new tariffs encourage pairing solar with storage. FPV pilots are under way on wastewater treatment ponds and reservoirs, supported by planned expansions to transmission infrastructure.

South Korea

South Korea’s Renewable Energy 3020 Plan, launched in 2017, targets 20 per cent renewable energy generation by 2030 and includes provisions for securing FPV sites, along with specific environmental guidelines. The Act on the Promotion of the Development, Use and Diffusion of New and Renewable Energy underpins a Renewable Portfolio Standard and tradable green certificate system, guided by successive national basic plans, including the Fifth Basic Plan covering 2020 to 2034, which set a long-term direction for renewable energy development and implementation through the New and Renewable Energy Center.

Brazil

The report notes that Brazil currently has no specific licensing or authorisation process for generating electricity on waterbodies and the environmental effects of FPV systems have not yet been formally evaluated by the National Water Agency, reflecting an early stage of regulatory development.

Philippines

The Renewable Energy Act of 2008 underpins the Philippines’ support for FPV through fiscal incentives such as income tax holidays, zero-rated value added tax and waivers on foreign equity limits for renewable projects. The Laguna de Bay pilot projects are testing environmental viability ahead of large-scale deployment, while the Green Energy Auction Programme drives competitive procurement of new capacity. The Department of Energy has also drafted specific guidelines for FPV to clarify rules not fully covered by existing solar regulations.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s Comprehensive Investment and Policy Plan under the Just Energy Transition Partnership, backed by $20 billion in international commitments, targets at least 34 per cent renewable power generation and includes FPV in the national energy mix. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources issued a dedicated FPV guideline in 2025 covering planning, design, environmental impact and licensing, developed in collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute. The amended Water Resource Law permits up to 20 per cent of an enclosed waterbody’s surface to be used for FPV.

Singapore

Singapore’s FPV growth is driven by the Public Utilities Board and Energy Market Authority through tenders and long-term planning under the Singapore Green Plan 2030, which targets at least 2 GW of solar capacity. Instead of direct subsidies, the government offers targeted grants such as the Enterprise Sustainability Programme. Singapore’s Technical Reference 100 (TR 100) sets national design and safety standards for FPV systems and is being used as the basis for a forthcoming International Electrotechnical Commission standard.

Türkiye

Türkiye supports renewable electricity, including FPV, through the YEKDEM mechanism, which offers 10-year fixed-price power purchase contracts. New rules published in late 2025 specifically permit FPV deployment on dam reservoirs and canals, while restricting small, protected or flood-control waterbodies and capping surface coverage at 10-30 per cent, depending on the water level.

Italy

Italy’s FER2 Decree provides auction-based FiTs for FPV capacity, alongside premium tariffs for larger plants and an all-inclusive tariff for smaller systems. Simplified permitting under the “Drought Decree” and “D.L. Energia” promotes FPV on artificial basins, while the REC Decree offers capital grants of up to 40 per cent for renewable energy communities and self-consumers, supported further by the European Union recovery funds.

Conclusion

Leading markets such as China, Japan and South Korea rely on strong subsidies and tariff support; whereas the European countries emphasise environmental inte- gration and co-location with offshore wind; and emerging markets such as Türkiye, Indonesia and the Philippines are beginning to frame FPV-specific rules. Across regions, the report highlights a shared need for streamlined permitting, clearer water-use rights and stronger inter-agency coordination between energy and water authorities to enable FPV to scale up as a mainstream contributor to the global renewable energy transition.