A groundbreaking study by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) reveals that federally managed reservoirs in the United States have the potential to generate up to 1,476 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity annually through floating solar panels. This output could power approximately 100 million homes, marking a significant opportunity for clean energy development.
The study introduces a more precise methodology, incorporating factors such as water depth and temperature, to better estimate the potential for floating solar installations. Even under conservative projections, the reservoirs could support solar projects totaling 77,000 megawatts, paving the way for large-scale renewable energy production.
Floating photovoltaics (FPV) have unique advantages over traditional ground-mounted systems, including improved efficiency due to cooling effects, reduced water evaporation, and potential synergies with hydropower. However, the U.S. currently lacks large-scale FPV projects, with no installations exceeding 10 megawatts.
Countries like South Korea have already embraced FPV as a key component of their renewable energy strategies, but the technology in the U.S. is still in its early stages. Challenges such as water currents, ice, and infrastructure logistics remain, but the NREL study emphasizes the importance of detailed, location-based assessments to unlock FPV’s potential.
This research underscores the vast untapped potential of floating solar technology in the U.S. and its role in achieving broader energy goals. By leveraging federally managed reservoirs, floating solar could become a cornerstone of the nation’s renewable energy strategy.