A recent study published in Solar Energy suggests that floating solar panels on federal reservoirs could play a significant role in meeting the U.S. solar energy needs. The study, conducted by geospatial scientists Evan Rosenlieb and Marie Rivers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), along with senior analyst Aaron Levine, calculated the potential electricity generation from floating solar projects on federally owned or regulated reservoirs. The study found that these reservoirs could generate up to 1,476 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually, enough to power about 100 million homes.
Although this is the theoretical maximum, the researchers acknowledge that it may not be feasible to harness all of this energy. “Even if we could develop just 10% of the potential, it would be a significant contribution,” Rosenlieb said. They also plan to consider how human and wildlife activities might affect solar panel installations in future research. The findings are expected to help developers plan projects and evaluate how such technologies align with broader energy goals.
Advantages of Floating Solar Panels
Floating solar panels, or floating photovoltaic (PV) systems, offer numerous benefits. Unlike traditional land-based solar farms, these panels do not compete for valuable land space, making them ideal for regions with limited or expensive land. By placing solar panels on water bodies, developers can avoid land-use conflicts while preserving natural ecosystems.
Additionally, floating solar panels help reduce water evaporation, an essential factor in drought-prone areas where conserving water is critical. The panels also provide a cooling effect that can enhance the efficiency of the solar cells, leading to increased electricity production.
However, large-scale floating solar projects are still rare in the U.S. Levine notes that no project in the country has exceeded 10 megawatts in size. While prior studies have estimated the potential of floating solar, Rosenlieb and Levine’s research is the first to assess which specific water bodies are suitable for such power plants. Factors like boat traffic, water temperature, and the slope of reservoir bottoms can all impact the feasibility of these installations.
Hybrid Energy Systems: Solar and Hydropower
The study suggests that hydro-power reservoirs are among the best candidates for floating solar projects. A hybrid system combining solar energy with hydro-power could provide more reliable and resilient energy. In the event of a drought that reduces water levels in a hydro-power reservoir, floating solar panels could continue to generate electricity, helping to maintain a stable energy supply.
Additionally, some new pumped storage hydro-power projects are creating artificial reservoirs that do not rely on natural rivers, which could provide even more opportunities for floating solar installations.
The researchers plan to further investigate factors like transmission line proximity, development costs, and environmental impacts in future studies. They also aim to explore smaller reservoirs, estuaries, and ocean sites as potential locations for floating solar.
Exploring Offshore Solar
Offshore floating solar panels could become a game-changer for countries with dense populations and limited land, such as Indonesia and Nigeria. A 2023 study highlighted the potential of these regions, particularly the Indonesian archipelago and the Gulf of Guinea near Nigeria, for large-scale floating solar arrays. Advances in technology and growing environmental concerns are driving interest in offshore solar systems.
Floating solar panels placed on the ocean’s surface could offer a significant source of energy for densely populated regions with calm seas and minimal waves. The research suggests that such installations could generate up to one million TWh annually—five times more than the energy needed to decarbonize the global economy and support 10 billion people.
Offshore solar panels would likely be located in the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a region known for its calm seas and lack of wind, making it an ideal area for solar energy production.
Looking Ahead
Despite opposition from certain lawmakers, including those pushing to limit renewable energy efforts, floating solar has the potential to revolutionize how the world generates energy. As the need for sustainable energy grows, technologies like floating solar could play a crucial role in combating climate change and meeting global energy demands.
Solar power, harnessed from an abundant and clean source, could help create a sustainable future for all. The challenge now is whether we can overcome political resistance and embrace renewable energy’s promise to power the planet without harming the environment.
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