A new study suggests that floating solar panels on federally controlled reservoirs could generate significant electricity. They could power around 100 million U.S. homes annually.
Researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have identified an immense potential for floating solar projects. These projects could revolutionize the renewable energy sector.
Federal Reservoirs Hold Massive Solar Energy Potential
The study, published in Solar Energy, is the first to incorporate detailed criteria. It considers factors such as water depth and temperature to accurately estimate the potential for floating solar panels in U.S. reservoirs. Even under conservative projections, these water bodies could support up to 77,000 megawatts of solar power capacity.
According to lead researcher Evan Rosenlieb, “That’s a technical potential—meaning the maximum amount of energy that could be generated if each reservoir held as many floating solar panels as possible. Even if just 10% of this capacity were developed, it would have a significant impact.”
How Floating Solar Panels Benefit Renewable Energy
Unlike traditional solar farms, floating solar panels provide several key advantages:
- They do not compete for limited land resources.
- They help reduce evaporation and conserve water supplies.
- They integrate well with hydropower reservoirs, improving grid reliability.
Despite these benefits, the U.S. has yet to see a large-scale floating solar project. “We don’t have a single project over 10 megawatts,” said senior analyst Aaron Levine.
Challenges and Future Research
The study highlights several challenges, including the impact of shipping traffic, temperature variations, and shallow water depths. However, hydropower reservoirs present a promising solution, as they can support hybrid energy systems that combine solar and hydropower.
Moving forward, the NREL team plans to assess factors like transmission line proximity, environmental impact, and regulatory challenges. They also aim to explore additional locations, including smaller reservoirs, estuaries, and even ocean sites.
A Step Toward a Renewable Energy Future
This research is funded by the Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office. It is also supported by the Water Power Technologies Office. This research underscores the vast untapped potential of floating solar panels.
Developers and policymakers are exploring this opportunity. The integration of floating solar technology could play a critical role in meeting the nation’s clean energy goals.
Read about more such exciting projects on Energy here.
