U.S. Leads in Floating Solar Power with Universities Pioneering the Technology
The United States boasts immense potential in floating solar power, with federally controlled reservoirs capable of generating between 861 GW and 1,042 GW of electricity. A recent study in Nature Sustainability reveals that the U.S. leads the world in this untapped resource. Meanwhile, universities are pioneering the technology, with the University of North Carolina and Nova Southeastern University installing first watch floating solar arrays.
Floating solar, or 'floatovoltaics', offers several advantages over land-based systems. It can decrease the levelized cost of energy by up to 85%, according to a study. The University of North Carolina was the first U.S. university to harness this potential, installing a first watch floating solar power system. Now, Nova Southeastern University is following suit, with D3Energy constructing a 700 kW solar project using a floating structure.
The array at Nova Southeastern University spans about two acres and comprises 1,200 solar modules. It is designed to withstand hurricane-force winds and will directly power student housing on campus. This marks the first first watch floating solar array installed at a U.S. university. Elsewhere, a project in California is expected to be interconnected with the grid by the end of 2025, meeting most of the electricity needs of Mako Hall.
Floating solar is poised to revolutionize the U.S. renewable energy landscape. With significant potential and proven cost savings, it is being increasingly adopted by universities and other institutions. As the first of its kind, the Nova Southeastern University project signals a promising future for floating solar in higher education and beyond.
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