California is fighting drought and water shortages with a pilot project. The method should protect rivers from drying out – and feed solar energy into the power grid.
Los Angeles/Munich – In 2021, the scientist Brandi McKuin presented a research paper whose content appears impressive: In it, the American describes the plan to generate energy with a solar roof, but at the same time to prevent river beds from drying out and thus the loss to prevent water.
The US state of California, which has been hit hard by drought and dryness, is now putting this theory into practice and is testing its implementation on the basis of a pilot project. After all, two birds could be killed with one stone: On the one hand, it could be an effective measure against water shortages, and the method also promises success with regard to renewable energies, which could therefore also gain in importance in Germany.
California: Drought particularly pronounced – solar project to protect water
Because of the Ukraine crisis, the USA has also slipped into an energy crisis and has been hit by rising prices. In addition, the United States is struggling with falling water levels in numerous regions, which are severely affecting the availability of water:
Now the “Nexus” solar project could be the turning point: In the Turlock Irrigation District (TID), from October 2022, solar panels will be installed over several sections of a canal as a kind of roof to protect water from solar radiation. The construction work should be completed next year.
The expectation: The complex construction prevents the water from evaporating, while the panels integrated on it use the sun’s energy to generate electricity. The state of California is paying about 20 million US dollars for the project, and the solar panels are to be used over a distance of 2.6 kilometers.
California tests solar panels over water – with valuable effects
If the project proves helpful, other waterways in the sunny state, which is being strained by climate change, could be reconsidered: According to the study, which was initiated by the solar company Solar AquaGrid, covering all of the aboveground waterways in California, estimated at around 6500 kilometers, could save around 286 billion annually liters of water that would simply evaporate unprotected. At the same time, 13 gigawatts of solar energy could be generated.
However, the “Nexus” project is an adaptation from India: In the state of Gujarat there, a solar park was completed around 2010, at that time Asia’s largest solar park, in which solar panels were installed across the Narmada Canal near the metropolis of Ahmedabad. The motivation: produce green electricity and at the same time protect the water from evaporation. In Germany too, for example in Bavaria, one solar park after the other is currently being built.
Drought and dryness: solar panels over bodies of water as the ultimate solution?
Another advantage of such a solar project above water is that the panels do not need space on the often scarce land areas, and they are more effective due to the cooler underside. The measure also promises better conditions for the water itself – the growth of aquatic weeds and algae is reduced, which reduces the maintenance costs of the canal.
Initially, the project will be implemented on a small scale. If the experiment is successful, the solar project could also be used at other locations – and could also protect water bodies in Europe from drying out in the medium term. In Germany, however, a reduction in bureaucracy regarding solar systems seems necessary. Last year we reported on a related idea from Switzerland: similar to fish farms, solar islands could be placed in the ocean – and generate fuel from CO2. (PF)
