Should solar panels be placed over water bodies?

Placing solar PV panels over water bodies (using, for example, floating panels or water-body-spanning infrastructure) conserves water by reducing evaporation losses through effects on incident solar radiation and surface wind speeds 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

How do PV panels affect water quality?

Large areas of PV panels cast shadows on the water surface and thus can reduce light availability to waterbodies, and floating materials on the water surface reduce contact between the air and waterbody, which may lead to reductions in water temperature and dissolved oxygen 17, 18. These changes might impact aquatic organisms.

Can solar panels be installed on water surface?

As mentioned before, the PV panels on the water surface also benefit from the cooling effect of water, reducing the system’s operating temperature, preventing overheating of the solar panels, and improving the energy yield (Kamuyu et al., 2018; Suh et al., 2019).

Do FPV systems reduce reliance on hydropower?

Thus, installing FPV systems can reduce over-reliance on hydropower for electricity generation. Furthermore, it is argued that FPV systems will reduce the evaporation of the free surface of water bodies, by absorbing the solar radiation that the water would absorb and reducing airflow (Rosa-Clot et al., 2017; Santafé et al., 2014).

Can water infrastructure accommodate solar PV systems in Mediterranean islands?

Bureau of Reclamation Fundamental Considerations Associated with Placing Solar Generation Structures at Central Arizona Project Canal (U.S. Department of the Interior, 2016). Kougias, I. et al. The potential of water infrastructure to accommodate solar PV systems in Mediterranean Islands. Sol. Energy 136, 174–182 (2016).

Do FPV panels/floats reduce reservoir water losses from evaporation?

Furthermore, the cooling effect of water in some installations enhances energy conversion efficiencies and FPV panels/floats reduce reservoir water losses from evaporation by blocking radiative energy and lowering water temperatures 7.