Floating solar panels on Morocco’s dams could meet energy needs and reduce evaporation losses, study finds

A recent study found that floating solar panels installed on Morocco’s dams could contribute to the country’s energy needs while also helping to reduce water loss from evaporation.

Titled, “Techno-economic feasibility analysis of floating photovoltaic systems on 58 Moroccan dams: energy potential, economic viability, and water evaporation,” the research examined 58 dams across the country, analyzing water surface availability, evaporation rates, expected energy production, costs, and different technical configurations for floating platforms.

The study was conducted by four Moroccan researchers, namely Abdelilah Mouhaya, Saad Motahhir, and Abdelaziz El Ghzizal from Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fes, and Aboubakr El Hammoumi from Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in Tetouan.

It highlighted that Morocco benefits from abundant and consistent sunlight, making “photovoltaic solar energy a highly promising solution,” despite challenges like land scarcity and high temperatures that affect efficiency.

“Installing solar photovoltaics on existing dams offers an attractive and sustainable alternative, as they enhance overall renewable energy production and reduce evaporation,” the source stressed.

The study estimated that the monitored dams cover around 433 square kilometers of water surface, which collectively lose about 909.468 million cubic meters of water each year due to evaporation.

The researchers also found that the optimal angle for maximizing energy production was a panel tilt of 31 degrees, but lower angles, such as 11 degrees, were also viable, providing a better balance between electricity generation and water conservation. 

The results also showed that floating solar panels installed on 1% of the total surface area of these dams could play an important role in meeting Morocco’s energy needs and provide a relatively quick return on investment.