Will “Floatovoltaics” Become the Next Big Thing?

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Hi everyone, here is a very interesting article about something that seems to be a trending topic in the water-energy nexus domain. What do you think about this? I for one, think that it has great potential but I'm skeptical about its use over fresh water systems. I think we underestimate the importance of sunlight to the ecology of those freshwater systems in such cases. But, when used over wastewater ponds for instance, this technology could be quite a winner. What do you think?

http://www.justmeans.com/blogs/will-floatovoltaics-become-the-next-big-thing

 

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2 Answers

  1. No doubt, Renewable energy sources are the future solutions to the power crisis faced by countries. Many States Government of India; like Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra have planned to cover the water canal with solar panels to avoid evaporation of water, which in-turn will also generate electricity to meet the energy demand.

    Coming to wastewater ponds; we need to think, as one of the main characteristic of wastewater is the odour/smell nuisance. If the pond is covered, it will be deprived of sunlight (no light no photosynthesis) which in turn will lead to anaerobic conditions and there by odour/smell nuisance will increase. 

    I strongly feel that all the Governments office, Institutions, Apartments and Shopping Mall/complex to install rooftop solar panels to meet there (full or part) energy demand. Strict laws have to be enforced and good incentives/subsidies have to be given to encourage the use of renewable energy sources and also for water harvesting structures.

  2. I think if these panels are installed in reaches and not entirely covering up the length and breadth of a river, they could still work. And yeah in waste water sewers, storm water drains they can be installed, in any case a study of oxygen content pre and post installation would help us understand the ecological impacts.