Miami-Dade County to explore potential of floating solar power on artificial water bodies

The Board of County Commissioners of Miami-Dade County, Florida recently approved a resolution directing the administration to research the potential for deploying floating solar power on artificial bodies of water.

The resolution, sponsored by County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, also directs the administration to identify any existing regulatory hurdles that would prevent the county from pursuing the technology.

Deploying floating solar panels on artificial lakes presents fewer environmental concerns than deploying them on natural waterways and can even help prevent excessive evaporative losses and create aquatic habitat.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently identified Florida, and South Florida in particular, as an ideal location for deploying floating solar power.

“With our significant number of artificial lakes, Miami-Dade County is uniquely positioned to take advantage of floating solar technologies,” Commissioner Levine Cava said. “We need to be bold and lead the Sunshine State in using solar and renewable energies that reduce our carbon footprint, and make sure Miami-Dade becomes the U.S. industry technology hub for this rapidly growing segment of the booming solar industry.”