The benefits of floating solar panels must outweigh any potential drawbacks and provide tremendous potential for producing renewable energy. Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of using floating solar panels: 

Advantages

Aids in maintaining water purity.

On still, freshwater bodies of water like lakes or ponds, floating solar panels work best. The panels act as a deterrent since fresh water has a significant potential for the growth of large amounts of algae that can harm nearby wildlife by robbing the water of oxygen. 

The panels are cooled by water, enhancing efficiency. 

Extreme heat is absorbed by solar panels, which, when overheated, start to lose efficiency at a rate known as the temperature coefficient. However, water cools the panels, which improves their capacity to absorb sunlight and turn it into electricity. 

Can be included in current power plants.

Most hydroelectric facilities are constructed with a dam that collects extra water, creating an artificial lake like Lake Mead in Nevada. A fantastic way to combine two clean energy sources at once is to place floating solar panels on the surface of these lakes. These panels can then use the existing wires that allow the nearby hydroelectric facility to deliver electricity to the grid. 

Does not utilize limited land.

The size huge solar farms must occupy is a difficult selling point, particularly in areas where land is expensive and limited. Instead, you can remove this barrier by using existing bodies of water. Even though we cannot cover every open water source with solar panels, this is an opportunity that needs to be taken advantage of.

Disadvantages

Higher expenditures for upkeep.

Maintenance expenses are more significant since so few specialists have experience maintaining the floating structures because floating solar panels are a relatively new idea, particularly in the U.S. However, as other floating solar panel arrays are put in place around the United States, the cost problem might soon be a thing of the past. 

Water can have an impact on solar panels. 

Solar panels are made to be waterproof so they can tolerate rain, but constant exposure to water could harm the panels. Any broken panels would be more vulnerable to water damage. This possible drawback, however, barely justifies not installing floating solar panels. 

Possible disruption of marine life.

The solar panels have the potential to harm aquatic life since they prevent the sun from reaching the total water’s surface, even if this issue is not yet settled. Additionally, the panels and the tools used to secure them may endanger animals unaware of them or detract from their habitat by taking up space.

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