Potential impact of floating solar panels on water quality in reservoirs; pathogens and leaching

Abstract

Application of floating solar panels is especially suited for the Netherlands, given the limited availability of land (surface area). Evides water company owns and operates several open storage reservoirs which can be used for installation of these panels, but the installations could affect the local environment, naturally occurring processes and water quality. In this research, we evaluate leaching of various substances and possible effects based on a theoretical approach following the Analysis of Microbiological Safety of Drinking water (AMSD method). Besides the water quality issues, the ongoing research at Evides will focus on the effect of the floating solar installation on algae, microbiological and chemical parameters, birds, aquatic flora and fauna, and also look into possibilities of applying alternative storage possibilities using hydrogen.