Floating solar technology offers high potential energy production, particularly in the Northeastern U.S., but raises questions about its impact on biodiversity and local ecosystems. The study published in Cell Reports Sustainability explores various scenarios for implementation, balancing energy gains with environmental and social considerations. Researchers emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to decision-making that includes factors beyond just economic efficiency. Their findings suggest that only a small percentage of waterbodies are viable for floating solar, necessitating careful planning and community involvement in the adoption of this technology.
With this study, we wanted to think more holistically about the social and environmental attributes of waterbodies, instead of just thinking about which ones provided the lowest-cost solar and the greatest energy generation potential.
The framework could be applied to other technologies - it's really about understanding how these systems interact with the landscape and what trade-offs we might have to make in the future.
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