Energy production and water savings from floating solar photovoltaics on global reservoirs

Solutions that can support multiple sustainability goals related to clean energy, and resource use efficiency, will be crucial in the near future. The study estimates the potential of floating solar panels on reservoirs globally to generate renewable energy, reduce water losses and conserve land. Growing global energy use and the adoption of sustainability goals to limit carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning are increasing the demand for clean energy, including solar. Floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems on reservoirs are advantageous over traditional ground-mounted solar systems in terms of land conservation, efficiency improvement and water loss reduction. Here, based on multiple reservoir databases and a realistic climate-driven photovoltaic system simulation, we estimate the practical potential electricity generation for FPV systems with a 30% coverage on 114,555 global reservoirs is 9,434 +/- 29 TWh yr(-1). Considering the proximity of most reservoirs to population centres and the potential to develop dedicated local power systems, we find that 6,256 communities and/or cities in 124 countries, including 154 metropolises, could be self-sufficient with local FPV plants. Also beneficial to FPV worldwide is that the reduced annual evaporation could conserve 106 +/- 1 km(3) of water. Our analysis points to the huge potential of FPV systems on reservoirs, but additional studies are needed to assess the potential long-term consequences of large systems.

Automated summary

In the near future, solutions that can support multiple sustainability goals related to clean energy and resource use efficiency will be crucial. This study estimates the potential of floating solar panels on reservoirs globally to generate renewable energy, reduce water losses, and conserve land. Floating photovoltaic systems on reservoirs have advantages over traditional ground-mounted solar systems in terms of land conservation, efficiency improvement, and water loss reduction.