FLOATING SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC AS A SOURCE OF CLEAN ENERGY AND CHALLENGE FOR MARITIME SPATIAL PLANNING AND SECURITY ENVIRONMENT

The civilizational development has been linked to energy sources and ways of obtaining them. Countries with access to low-cost energy sources usually enjoyed years of rapid development and period of prosperity. Today, the environmental impact of energy production is playing an increasingly important role. There is a rise in the share of energy produced from renewable sources: water, wind and solar. Photovoltaic panels are becoming more and more popular: progressively cheaper, lighter and easier to use. However, the development of solar panels has its limits. They cannot be installed on all surfaces, in any location and, most importantly, they take valuable space that could be used for other purposes. Recently, technological development allowed to produce floating solar photovoltaic (FSPV) that creates a new quality in this area. Solar energy can be sourced ecologically, close to the areas of greatest demand, and not blocking valuable land space. However, new floating installations generate new challenges in terms of not only maritime spatial planning, but also the maritime safety environment and, in long term perspective, global security.