Renewables

Floating solar power plants on small water bodies add to greenhouse gas emissions

Floating solar power plants on small water bodies promote greenhouse gas emissions

Photo: Jason Koski/Cornell University

Published

February 5, 2025

Country

Comments

comments icon

0

Share

Published:

February 5, 2025

Country:

Comments:

comments icon

0

Share

Floating solar power plants are often considered a sustainable alternative to land-based photovoltaic panel installations, as they save space and reduce conflicts over land use. However, a new study shows that the technology may also have negative effects – greenhouse gas emissions on small water bodies can increase by nearly 27%.

Floating solar power plants are one of the fastest-growing trends in the solar industry in recent years. The competition for space often leads to disputes between solar energy investors, farmers, local communities, and environmentalists, making water-based panel installations an appealing solution. However, the technology’s environmental impact and its effects on aquatic ecosystems have not yet been sufficiently studied.

Steven Grodsky, an assistant professor at Cornell University, conducted an experimental study with his team. They covered 70% of the surface area of three small ponds at the Cornell Experimental Pond Facility with solar panels. The study revealed that methane and carbon dioxide emissions increased by 26.8% while oxygen levels in the water significantly dropped compared to ponds without solar panels.

“There has been a flurry of papers about floating solar, but it’s mostly modeling and projections”, Grodsky said. He explained that placing solar panels on small water bodies drastically reduces oxygen availability for organisms, disrupts ecological processes, and alters how wind moves across the water’s surface.

The findings are particularly important, as many floating solar power plants in the United States are currently being installed on small lakes and ponds, Grodsky noted.

In New York state, floating solar power plants are also being considered as an alternative to terrestrial solar farms.

Panels should not cover more than 70% of the water surface

The authors also highlighted the positive aspects. When comparing overall emissions – including site development, maintenance, and disposal of used or broken panels – floating solar power plants are expected to produce lower greenhouse gas emissions per kilowatt-hour of electricity generated than terrestrial solar farms and energy from fossil fuels.

Researchers believe that 70% coverage is the upper limit. Solar panels should not occupy a larger area, as it could have negative effects on the ecosystem, they emphasized.

To mitigate the impact, researchers recommend reducing coverage or installing a bubbler to agitate the water, although more research is needed.

Floating solar market to reach 77 GW by 2033

According to the study’s lead researcher, it all comes down to tradeoffs. “If you look at the history of energy transitions – from wood to fossil fuels, for example – everything was based on energy production, and the environment wasn’t taken into consideration, and now we have environmental injustice, we have climate change,” Grodsky said, adding his research aims to rethink the approach to the current energy transition.

It remains uncertain whether scientific research will keep up with the rapid growth of the technology. Wood Mackenzie forecasted in a new report that floating solar power market would reach 77 GW by 2033. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the particular segment of the solar industry. In contrast, the US is projected to experience significantly slower growth, reaching just 0.7 GW by 2033.

Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

Wind farm project Cyprus rejected protect birds habitats

Wind farm project in Cyprus rejected to protect birds, habitats

17 May 2025 - The Department of Environment of Cyprus scrapped a proposal for a wind power plant partly within or near protected areas

Citizens and activists in bulgaria oppose wind farm project that would destroy forest

Citizens, activists in Bulgaria oppose wind farm project that would destroy forest

13 May 2025 - In the Avren municipality of Bulgaria, citizens and activists are preparing a protest against a planned wind farm that would result in the felling of 30 hectares of forest.

Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 sponsors

Everything is ready for Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 – welcome!

11 May 2025 - On May 14 and 15, Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 will gather four hundred participants from more then 30 countries from the region, Europe, and beyond

Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 BEF 2025 EU Southeast Europe

Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 – top delegations coming from EU, Southeast European countries

07 May 2025 - Belgrade Energy Forum 2025 features eight panel discussions and more than 50 speakers: distinguished energy experts and representatives of energy companies