The Supreme Court has annulled Royal Decree 662/2024, which regulated the installation of floating solar panels in state-owned reservoirs. This regulation aimed to accelerate the energy transition without occupying agricultural land, leveraging the water surface to generate electricity more efficiently and reduce evaporation. The judicial decision leaves the Government's 2030 plans up in the air.
Technical aspects of floating solar in reservoirs ⚡
Floating solar panel technology, or floating photovoltaics, allows modules to be installed on structures anchored to the reservoir bed. These systems offer a thermal advantage: the water cools the panels, which can increase their performance by 5% to 10% compared to land-based installations. Additionally, they reduce water evaporation by covering part of the surface and limit algae growth by blocking sunlight. However, their deployment requires environmental impact studies and compatibility with uses such as irrigation or navigation.
Spain prefers bricks over panels on water 🏗️
While the Supreme Court says no to floating panels, we continue building golf courses and housing developments on fertile land. Perhaps the problem wasn't the technology, but that the Government came up with an idea that didn't involve rezoning land. But don't worry: we can always put the panels on some politician's roof, since they already cast plenty of shade. Of course, just don't touch the water, because then drought comes and we'll be left unable to fill the swimming pools.