The U.S. is exploring new ways to produce clean energy by using solar panels. The country wants to install solar panels in more places than rooftops, but also on large bodies of water, like reservoirs. This is called a “rooftop solar coastline’’ and the goal is to generate electricity in an efficient way, without occupying too much land and making the most of the existing resources.

This project is not done on a huge scale yet, but researchers are working to make it possible. If everything goes as planned, these installations could provide houses in the entire country with modern and sustainable energy. So, let’s learn more about this project!

Rooftop solar coastline

This is a system that combines solar panels on buildings and houses rooftops with floating solar panels on reservoirs or other water bodies. The benefits of this system are that it:

• Uses less land because panels float on water or sit on rooftops.
• Helps protect water by reducing evaporation in reservoirs.
• Produces clean energy directly where it is needed for homes and cities.

Basically, it’s a way to generate collar electricity making the most of spaces that weren’t used before for energy purposes.

Science

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a lab from the U.S. Department of Energy, is researching how to make this project work. Scientists have:

• Studied where panels can be placed on large reservoirs.
• Reviewed the risks of putting panels on water.
• Calculated the costs for each installation.

Thanks to this work, we know there are accurate places and how to make the project in a safe and efficient way. Without these researches it would be very difficult to implement large-scale floating solar in the U.S.

Hybrid system of solar and water energy

The U.S. plan includes more than floating solar panels, it also includes a hybrid system that combines solar energy and hydropower. So:

• Some reservoirs will generate electricity through hydropower.
• These reservoirs do not affect natural rivers, people, or animals.
• Scientists check locations near power lines and high energy demand areas.

With this hybrid system, the U.S. could install panels that make the most of both solar and water energy, providing reliable electricity to houses in the entire country.

Why this project matters

Other countries, like China, Europe, and Asia, are already using floating panels on a large scale. This is logical having in mind a 2024 study showing that installing floating panels on 10% of the world’s lakes and reservoirs could produce four times the energy the United Kingdom consumes in a year.

In the U.S., scientists Aaron Levine and Evan Rosenleib identified that the country’s large reservoirs have high potential for this type of power. This means the U.S. could produce more electricity without using extra land, combining solar panels and reservoirs.

The future of this project in the U.S.

Soon, the U.S could install floating panels and rooftop solar panels across the country. What’s more, innovative projects like Falcon Solar show it is possible to produce reliable, clean electricity in a modern way.

This initiative will allow homes to have safe, efficient, and sustainable solar energy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and make smart use of natural resources.

So…

For the United States, these rooftop solar coastlines and hybrid systems are a step toward a sustainable, efficient, and modern future. Soon, solar energy won’t just be an idea; it could power millions of homes, proving that clean energy can be accessible and practical for everyone. What do you think about this project? We’ll see how efficient it is in the near future, but it seems like a great project.