Unlocking Renewable Energy: The Promise of Floating Solar in the US

Why Floating Solar Is Making Waves in Clean Energy

Floating solar — also known as floatovoltaics — is emerging as a powerful and innovative solution to the nation’s renewable energy challenges. As land becomes more scarce and expensive, floating solar offers a smart alternative: installing solar panels on bodies of water like reservoirs, retention ponds, and wastewater treatment plants.

According to recent findings and expert insights, the US is just beginning to tap into the potential of floating solar. With only a handful of large-scale systems installed nationwide, the market remains largely untapped — despite enormous opportunities for growth.

The US Floating Solar Market: A Sleeping Giant

While the global market for floating solar is rapidly expanding — especially in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea — the US lags behind with only around 20 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity. For comparison, the US has over 150,000 MW of land-based solar.

So why hasn’t floating solar taken off yet?

Challenges Slowing Down Adoption

• Regulatory hurdles: Navigating ownership, permitting, and utility approvals can be complicated when water bodies are involved.
• Lack of awareness: Many municipalities, developers, and utilities are still unfamiliar with the advantages of floating solar.
• Upfront costs: Although prices are falling, floating systems are still slightly more expensive to install than land-based arrays.

Despite these obstacles, the potential is staggering. A 2019 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimated that covering just 27% of suitable man-made water bodies in the US could generate about 10% of the country’s electricity needs.

The Unique Benefits of Floating Solar

Floating solar offers a number of compelling benefits that make it especially attractive in urban and land-constrained areas:

• Efficient land use: It utilizes underused water surfaces, preserving land for agriculture or development.
• Improved panel performance: Water bodies cool solar panels, increasing their efficiency compared to land-based installations.
• Reduced water evaporation: Solar panels provide shade that helps prevent evaporation, preserving millions of gallons of water annually.
• Algae growth control: The shade from the panels also inhibits algae blooms in ponds and reservoirs.

These advantages are particularly relevant in states like California, Florida, and Arizona, where water conservation is critical, and open land is expensive or limited.

Floating Solar Projects Already Making an Impact

Several US cities and organizations have already begun to embrace floating solar as a part of their renewable energy portfolios. Here are a few notable examples:

Healdsburg, California

The city of Healdsburg recently unveiled a 4.8 MW floating solar system — the largest in the state. Installed on a wastewater treatment pond, the system is expected to meet over 8% of the city’s total electricity demand.

Sayreville, New Jersey

In 2020, Sayreville turned heads with the largest floating solar project on the East Coast. Covering 17 acres of water surface, this 4.4 MW array offsets a significant portion of the town’s municipal energy use.

Fort Bragg, North Carolina

The US Army base installed a floating solar system as part of its resilience strategy. In combination with battery storage, the system provides backup power to mission-critical operations.

These projects are just the beginning. With new policy incentives, falling costs, and increased awareness, more communities and businesses are exploring floating solar as a viable option.

Key Drivers for Future Growth

Several trends are converging to create a favorable environment for floating solar in the US:

• Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): Offers tax incentives and rebates that apply to floating solar systems, making them more financially attractive.
• Climate goals and mandates: As states aim for 100% clean energy targets, floating solar presents an appealing pathway for capacity expansion.
• Land constraints: Densely populated and industrialized areas are seeking non-traditional spaces for renewable installations.
• Technology improvements: Enhanced float designs, better anchoring systems, and durable cabling have made floating systems more resilient and cost-effective.

As more solar developers and engineering procurement and construction (EPC) firms recognize the economic and environmental benefits, floating solar is poised to scale up rapidly.

Who Should Consider Floating Solar?

Floating solar isn’t just for utilities — it offers unique value for a wide range of property owners and stakeholders:

• Municipalities and water treatment facilities with retention ponds or reservoirs.
• Commercial property owners with stormwater management basins.
• Agricultural operations needing to conserve water and power irrigation.
• Universities and campuses seeking innovative sustainability projects.
• Large-scale solar developers and EPCs looking to diversify portfolios.

By exploring floating solar, these organizations can turn otherwise unused water surfaces into productive assets that reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.

The Road Ahead: Floating Solar as a Core Strategy

Floating solar may still be in its early stages in the US, but its potential is undeniable. As policymakers, utilities, and developers search for scalable solutions to decarbonize the grid, floating solar can offer:

• Fast deployment timelines compared to land acquisition and permitting hurdles.
• High-yield production due to the cooling effect of water bodies.
• Visual appeal and environmental synergy for eco-conscious communities.

The key to unlocking this opportunity lies in greater awareness, streamlined permitting, and collaborative partnerships across the public and private sectors.

Conclusion: A Bright Future on the Water

The US has thousands of square miles of man-made water bodies that could host floating solar systems — enough to power millions of homes. By embracing this innovative technology, we can accelerate the transition to a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable energy future.

Now is the time for cities, developers, and energy leaders to recognize the value of floating solar — and take the next step toward cleaner power from our nation’s untapped water surfaces.