Advocating for Floating Solar
Advocating for Floating SolarAdvocating for Floating SolarAdvocating for Floating Solar
In the Colorado River Basin and beyond.
Mission
Water Wise Solar Solutions was formed to study the application of Utility Scale Floating Photovoltaic Solar Arrays as an effective mitigation strategy for evaporative water loss within the Colorado River Basin.
Colorado River Basin (CRB) Water Supply
Saving Water with Floating Solar
Introduction
May 4, 2025
The Colorado River, a vital water source for the American West, is in crisis. Ongoing drought, chronic overuse, and climate pressures have triggered historic water shortages, prompting mandatory cutbacks and urgent calls to rebalance the region’s water withdrawals with its dwindling supply. Achieving this balance will require a more granular understanding of how water is being consumed—and immediate action to generate savings wherever possible.
In today’s political and economic climate, reducing water use in agriculture or cities is an uphill battle. This paper proposes floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) systems as a complementary solution that mitigates evaporative losses from reservoirs while generating clean electricity—without requiring major changes to consumer behavior or major infrastructure expansion.
FPV arrays are typically installed on man-made bodies of water, including municipal reservoirs, irrigation ponds, and hydroelectric basins. In the U.S., early applications have largely focused on small-scale installations at wastewater treatment facilities. Internationally—particularly in Asia—larger systems have been paired with hydroelectric electric generation, fish farms and aquaculture operations, maximizing land use. FPV has also found success atop industrial holding ponds and mine tailings basins, converting environmental liabilities into energy-generating assets.
Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, with its abundant solar resources, constant drought conditions, numerous man-made reservoirs, and its integral part of the Colorado River Basin, makes it an obvious fit for floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems. The most optimal applications are also opportunities to blend FPV arrays with aquaponics, hydroelectric, natural gas and battery models stabilizing the variable electricity produced with the sun.
This website explores these state's most promising FPV sites, evaluating key factors such as snow load, generation potential, water conservation benefits, recreational use, permitting considerations, grid proximity, potential electric customer base and economic feasibility. The goal is to identify actionable opportunities for FPV implementation that can help secure the regions water future while expanding clean energy infrastructure.
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