Could Floating Solar power entire countries?
By Jack Gawthrop, East Green Energy
Floating solar has moved from an interesting idea to one of the most promising areas of renewable energy development. As land becomes more contested and energy demand continues to rise, the prospect of generating power on water is attracting serious attention. The question many researchers are now asking is whether floating solar could one day power entire countries. Recent global studies suggest that, for some nations, this is more than just a theoretical possibility.
A major piece of research led by teams from Bangor University, Lancaster University and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology examined almost 68,000 lakes and reservoirs around the world. Their modelling showed that several countries could, in theory, meet all of their electricity needs using floating solar alone. Globally, the potential generation was estimated at more than 1,300 TWh per year. It’s a striking figure, and one that has helped push floating solar into the mainstream of renewable energy discussions.
The UK’s position is slightly different. We don’t have the vast reservoir networks found in parts of Asia, nor the year‑round solar conditions enjoyed by countries closer to the equator. But we do have thousands of lakes, reservoirs and hydropower sites, many of which are under‑used from an energy perspective. The British Hydropower Association notes that the UK already generates around 5.5 TWh of hydroelectric power across more than 1,600 schemes, and many of these sites already have the grid infrastructure needed to support additional renewable generation. While floating solar alone wouldn’t power the entire UK, it could make a meaningful contribution to the country’s energy mix, particularly in regions where land availability is limited or heavily protected.
Part of the appeal lies in the performance advantages. Solar panels naturally operate more efficiently when kept cool, and water provides a stable, moderating environment that helps boost output. Floating systems also avoid the land‑use challenges that often slow down ground‑mounted projects, especially in areas where agriculture, food production and development all compete for space. Covering part of a reservoir can even help reduce evaporation and limit erosion, which is particularly useful for industries that rely on stored water.
Globally, the technology is already well established. Countries such as China, Japan, Indonesia and Italy have adopted floating solar at scale, installing large systems on industrial reservoirs, quarry lakes and water treatment sites. The UK is still in the early stages by comparison, but interest is growing quickly, especially among high‑consumption sectors such as horticulture, food production and water‑intensive manufacturing.
So, could floating solar power entire countries? For some nations, the research suggests it could. For many others, including the UK, it represents a significant opportunity to expand renewable generation without placing additional pressure on land. It won’t replace rooftop or ground‑mounted systems, but it offers a persuasive alternative where space is limited or planning constraints are tight.
As the technology matures and more organisations explore the potential of their water assets, floating solar is likely to become a far more familiar part of the UK’s energy landscape. The global evidence is clear - this is no longer an experimental idea, but a practical, scalable solution with the potential to reshape how countries think about renewable power.
