The National Agency for Land Improvement of Romania is seeking European funds to support the development of a floating solar park on a network of irrigation canals located east of Bucharest. This innovative project aims to install solar panels above the canals, offering several advantages, including reduced evaporation and improved panel efficiency due to cooler water temperatures below. Additionally, this approach avoids land ownership and licensing issues while preserving land for food production.
While floating solar projects are more commonly found on lakes and artificial reservoirs, Romania’s unique proposal involves implementing the technology on irrigation canals. The project is planned for four rehabilitated canals in the Gălățui-Călărași area, with a targeted capacity of 20 MW. The Romanian government aims to complete this ambitious project by the end of 2025, with an estimated annual production of 20.4 GWh. The canal network’s strong connection to the electricity grid will be leveraged for the project’s success.
Floating solar power plants not only help prevent evaporation while benefiting from the cooling effect of the water, enhancing their performance. Additionally, they can offset the power demands of the irrigation pumps. However, there are concerns about the technology’s impact on aquatic life and other safety considerations.
This initiative demonstrates Romania’s commitment to exploring innovative renewable energy solutions, particularly within its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) context.
Source: balkangreenenergynews.com
