Floating Solar: Death By A Thousand Cuts For Fossil Fuels

The article discusses the growing potential and advantages of floating solar photovoltaic (PV) technology as a significant contributor to the renewable energy transition, despite recent setbacks in U.S. federal energy policy. Floating solar arrays, which can be installed on reservoirs, lakes, or open water, offer a solution to land constraints and reduce site preparation costs, making them an attractive option for expanding solar capacity. A 2018 U.S. Department of Energy assessment identified over 24,000 suitable sites nationwide, with the potential to generate about 10% of the country's annual electricity at that time. Globally, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is leading in floating solar development, with projections indicating it will account for the majority of the anticipated 77 gigawatts of global floating solar capacity by 2033. A recent study highlights Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia and Malaysia, as optimal early deployment zones due to favorable environmental and economic conditions, noting that less than 2% of offshore water surface in 84%