"The transition from fossil fuels to green energy is essential if we are to stop climate change and preserve worldwide biodiversity, but also to guarantee the Netherlands' local energy production" says the main applicant on behalf of the consortium, NIOO researcher Sven Teurlincx. "Without upscaling solar energy, we will never be able to achieve this."
To spare scarce space on land which could be used for agriculture or housing, deployment of solar panels on water is currently being considered. But the environmental effects of floating solar panels have not yet been fully mapped, and policy and legislation in this area is still in development.
"Can floating solar panels provide enough energy, do they really contribute to a greener world, what are the local effects for plants and animals, is the current design the best option...or should we choose another design that would be more viable?"
Read more at: Netherlands Institute of Ecology
Commercial solar park in the Bomhofseplas (Photo Credit: Sven Teurlincx)