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I may be out of the loop but this is my first time hearing about this type of solution and it's genius! As someone else mentioned, some reservoirs already use
by chankstein38 3y ago
I may be out of the loop but this is my first time hearing about this type of solution and it's genius! As someone else mentioned, some reservoirs already use shade balls because they reduce evaporation so we are already familiar with shading our reservoirs and generating power from that shade seems like a win-win!
- fbdab103 3y agoCalifornia announced they are going to start covering canals with solar panels[0]. [0] https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/california-cover-canal-with-solar-panels-experiment-fight-drought-climate-change-2022-08-25/ https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/california-cove...
- ramraj07 3y agoAre they floating? If not are they the same?
- fbdab103 3y agoThey are related in that it is combining solar power + water storage. I believe the canal structure is elevated. Which might be initially more expensive for the scaffolding, but it strikes me as fewer long term complications vs direct water contact. Fewer worries about algae growth on the panels, shorts developing at the connection points, etc.
- Smoosh 3y agoI believe that the panels themselves do not float - they are regular panels, mounted on a frame with floats underneath.
- eigenspace 3y agoBeing on the water also helps keep the solar panels in their optimal operating temperature, which can make them significantly more efficient at generating electricity
- aaron695 3y ago[dead]