In the contest between renewables and fossil fuels, innovation remains renewable energy’s greatest advantage. Fossil fuels may have the advantage of being entrenched, but it is slow to adapt. One idea that has demonstrated this strength is solar canals.
In the contest between renewables and fossil fuels, innovation remains renewable energy’s greatest advantage. Fossil fuels may have the advantage of being entrenched, but it is slow to adapt. One idea that has demonstrated this strength is solar canals.
Originally started in India in 2014, solar canals have gained considerable attention due to California’s Project Nexus. Installing solar panels over water canals is killing two birds with one stone in the quest for energy sustainability, with a wide variety of advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of Solar Canals
By placing solar panels above water, evaporation is mitigated. Studies from the Canal Solar Power Project in India, show that the resulting shade helps reduce weeds, as well as de-weeding costs. The photovoltaic panels benefit from evaporative cooling. The panels remain cooler, thus reflecting less light and thereby absorbing more energy.
Solar collectors are often built on arable land or natural ecosystems. Farmers have had issues with adopting solar panels due to the large land needed. While not every potential adopter will have the ability to make use of canals, this nonetheless can be a useful alternative. Solar canals could reduce land lost to energy production, as well as conflicts with other stakeholders.
Furthermore, land acquisition costs and land-use permitting issues may be circumscribed if canals are already in operation. Irrigation systems may benefit, given that pumps would be located within easy access of a power source.
Disadvantages of Solar Canals
The establishment of solar canals will no doubt prove to be a complex engineering challenge. Deploying solar panels over water infrastructure presents a unique set of building requirements. Not to mention that not every canal is built the same.
Such requirements make the systems more expensive and technically complex than conventional ground-mounted solar arrays on trackers. This is before adding the required steel and concrete structures.
Are Solar Canals Viable?
Projects like these are a testament to the ability of solar technology to adapt around obstacles and find a non-disruptive — even beneficial — place in our daily lives. What started in India can very well fill a niche across the entire world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Stawie is a tech-loving young optimist, intrigued by the mysteries of what lies ahead.
