The cost of solar power has dropped dramatically over the past decade, making it the cheapest source of electricity in many parts of the world. Obviously, that could mean cheaper power. But it also means that the panels could potentially be installed in locations that would otherwise be too costly, and still produce useful electricity.
One of the more interesting options is placing the panels over an artificial body of water. Float or hang on cables. Although more expensive than a land-based installation, this creates a win-win. The panels limit water evaporation, and the water cools the panels, allowing them to operate more efficiently in warmer climates.
The potential for floating solar power has been explored in many places, but a global analysis by a group of researchers shows that the potential is enormous. Even if the installation were limited to a fraction of the surface area of an existing reservoir, the floating panels would generate nearly 10,000 terawatt-hours per year, preventing more than 100 cubic kilometers of water from evaporating.
Globalization
The international team of researchers behind the new study admits they are not the first to examine the potential of floating solar power. It was limited to countries or single reservoir systems. This new study stands out because it uses the latest models of solar power performance in various environmental conditions, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Sandia National Laboratories, on a global scale. The team also obtained data on temperature, solar radiation, and wind speed over 20 years from two different Earth-observing satellite systems.
Researchers note that solar panels floating on reservoirs have many benefits beyond cooling the panels and reducing water loss. One is that mankind has not sacrificed unaltered land to cover it with panels, given that the land in question has already been flooded. Although it can cause problems in well-developed ecosystems, it also helps limit the growth of harmful algae in water supplies.
Another advantage is that many reservoirs are close to both power-hungry population centers and the grids that supply them, making the power generated more accessible. Finally, many reservoirs are associated with hydroelectric systems, with two power sources he can manage as one unit to maintain stable production levels in all weather conditions around the clock.
To help protect the ecosystem within the reservoir and to use the reservoir for recreation, the researchers limit the area covered by the panels to a maximum of 30% of its surface or 30 square kilometers, whichever is lower (30 /30 limit). .
