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Tue, January 28, 2025
Mon, January 27, 2025

Floating solar can increase greenhouse gas emissions on small ponds, study finds


Published on 2025-01-27 17:02:33 - MSN
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  • While floating solar
  • the emerging practice of putting solar panels on bodies of water
  • is promising in its efficiency and its potential to spare agricultural and conservation lands, a new experiment finds environmental trade-offs.

A recent study published in the journal Nature Sustainability has revealed that installing floating solar panels on small ponds can inadvertently increase greenhouse gas emissions. The research, conducted by scientists from the University of Stirling, found that while floating solar panels (FPV) are effective in reducing evaporation and conserving water, they also create conditions that enhance the release of methane and carbon dioxide from the water. This occurs because the panels reduce light and oxygen levels in the water, which slows down the decomposition process, leading to an accumulation of organic matter and subsequent release of gases when conditions change. The study suggests that while FPV systems are beneficial for larger bodies of water, their deployment on small ponds might not be as environmentally friendly as previously thought, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach to their application in different aquatic environments.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/science/environmental-science/floating-solar-can-increase-greenhouse-gas-emissions-on-small-ponds-study-finds/ar-AA1xX5U0 ]
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