Catching the light before it hits the water does reduce evaporation. It does not eliminate it. The water is not used for active cooling. Water has high specific

Catching the light before it hits the water does reduce evaporation. It does not eliminate it. The water is not used for active cooling. Water has high specific heat and liquid to gas is endothermic. Which is why the water temperature is lower than the ambient air temperature. Putting the panels over the canals reduces evaporation while cooling the panels. This is proven.