The US Department of Energy predicts that a combination of floating solar panels and hydropower/dam reservoirs could produce up to 40 per cent of the world's electricity, and many countries have begun to exploit some of the vast global potential over the past five years. A recent World Bank market report highlights the rapid growth in this technology. Reservoirs are the natural companions to solar PV, as they provide the space on which the panels can be installed, and they may also provide additional benefits, such as cooling of the panels, and providing storage for the intermittent solar electricity. Many of the developing countries of Africa and Asia, with hydro reservoirs in operation, and abundant sunshine, could especially benefit from this technology.
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