Solar power generation in dry river channel

What is solar power development over canals?

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative Solar power development over canals is an emerging response to the energy–water–food nexus that can result in multiple benefits for water and energy infrastructure.

Can water infrastructure accommodate solar PV systems in Mediterranean islands?

Bureau of Reclamation Fundamental Considerations Associated with Placing Solar Generation Structures at Central Arizona Project Canal (U.S. Department of the Interior, 2016). Kougias, I. et al. The potential of water infrastructure to accommodate solar PV systems in Mediterranean Islands. Sol. Energy 136, 174–182 (2016).

Should solar panels be placed over water bodies?

Placing solar PV panels over water bodies (using, for example, floating panels or water-body-spanning infrastructure) conserves water by reducing evaporation losses through effects on incident solar radiation and surface wind speeds 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

Is over-Canal solar a viable alternative to conventional Overground solar?

The net present value of over-canal solar exceeds conventional overground solar by 20–50%, challenging the convention of leaving canals uncovered and calling into question our understanding of the most economic locations for solar power.

Can alternative dams reduce hydropower production?

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the alternative dam portfolios are technically feasible, meaning that a decrease in hydropower production can be offset by other sources, mainly solar PV and gas. Interestingly, there is also a positive correlation between hydropower and coal generation.

How do we estimate hydropower production in the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins?

To estimate the daily hydropower production of each dam in the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, we adopt a two-step modeling approach. We begin with VIC, a large-scale, semi-distributed hydrologic model 47.