Floating solar panels, or floating photovoltaic (PV) systems, can generate electricity without competing for land, and they help reduce water evaporation by shading water bodies.

Future research will investigate potential sites for development based on proximity to transmission lines, development costs, environmental impacts, and regulatory navigation.

Previous studies have attempted to estimate floating solar energy potential, but this study uniquely identifies suitable water sources based on their conditions for solar panel installation.

The study indicates that even developing 10% of the maximum technical potential of floating solar could significantly contribute to the nation's energy needs.

The research was funded by the Solar Energy Technologies Office and the Water Power Technologies Office in the DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).

The study was conducted by geospatial scientists Evan Rosenlieb and Marie Rivers, along with legal analyst Aaron Levine, marking the first detailed quantification of floating solar energy potential on U.S. reservoirs.

The researchers acknowledge that factors such as human and wildlife activities have not yet been fully analyzed, but they plan to address these in future research.

Despite the potential for floating solar energy, there are currently no large-scale installations in the U.S. exceeding 10 megawatts.

Further information about the study and specific reservoir data can be accessed through the provided links.

The study aims to provide accurate data to help developers plan floating solar projects on U.S. reservoirs and evaluate their role in national energy goals.

A recent study by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) reveals that federally controlled reservoirs could host enough floating solar panels to generate up to 1,476 terawatt hours of energy annually, potentially powering around 100 million U.S. homes.

Certain hydropower reservoirs are highlighted as ideal for hybrid energy systems that combine solar and hydropower, which could enhance energy reliability, especially during droughts.