Koami Soulemane Hayibo stood beside a small pond on Western University’s campus in London, Ontario, watching bubbles rise gently beneath a solar panel floating just one centimeter above the icy water. It was -10°C, snow dusted the ground, and yet the panel remained ice-free—thanks to a simple, low-energy air bubbler system built into his innovative foam-based floating solar array. For Hayibo, a PhD candidate from Togo, this moment was more than a successful experiment—it was a step toward making solar energy viable in some of the world’s coldest regions.
Floating solar photovoltaics (FPV) have surged globally, with over 10 gigawatts installed worldwide by 2025. Typically deployed on reservoirs and lakes in warm climates, these systems benefit from natural water cooling, which boosts panel efficiency. But in colder environments, that same cooling can lead to ice buildup, structural damage, and energy loss. Until now, cold-climate FPV has remained a stubborn challenge—until Hayibo’s design offered a surprisingly elegant solution.
His system replaces traditional plastic or metal floating bases with slabs of polyethylene foam, which insulates the panels from the frigid water below. Paired with a low-power air bubbler—similar to those used in backyard ponds—the setup prevents ice from forming even during sustained sub-zero temperatures. In real-world testing, the bubbler used minimal energy, yet kept the surrounding water open and the panels operating efficiently. Crucially, the foam-based design didn’t just survive the cold—it thrived. According to co-author Dr. Joshua M. Pearce, the system delivered a higher annual energy yield than conventional models, proving that temperature modeling in cold climates isn’t just technical detail—it’s a game-changer.
Beyond energy, the system showed another unexpected benefit: it reduced water evaporation, a critical advantage for drought-prone regions. And unlike many experimental technologies, this one cleared the ultimate hurdle—economics. The materials are low-cost, durable, and scalable, making the system not only effective but financially feasible for widespread deployment.
The implications stretch far beyond a single test site. With Canada alone home to millions of square kilometers of water bodies, and cold regions across Europe, Asia, and North America facing growing energy demands, Hayibo’s innovation opens a new frontier for solar. As Pearce noted, this isn’t just about surviving winter—it’s about harnessing it. The research, published in Applied Energy, is now a springboard for larger-scale trials and broader applications.
As climate solutions race to keep pace with a warming world, sometimes the most powerful advances come not from massive infrastructure, but from a quiet pond in Canada, where bubbles rise under the snow, and solar panels keep shining.