Platform for Floating Solar-Powered Water Technologies

Access to for clean affordable water is vital for a healthy economy. This access is being at risk due drought conditions in the west, industrial contamination, population growth, and the increasing cost of the electricity to treat and transport the water. The objective of this project is to enable the deployment low-cost, high-value solar energy and water treatment and transport technologies. This is achieved through the development of a platform that allows for the facile integration of these water technologies into a floating solar system. Phase I focused on the integration of aerators into small off grid floating solar systems. The team evaluated several aerator technologies and methods of controlling those aerators in real-life systems. A pilot system was installed on a water body equipped with water quality sensors to monitor the impacts in real-time. Though Phase I was focused specifically on integration of aerators into small floating solar systems, Phase II will expand to other water technologies at scale. This will be achieved through the development of customized power electronics and control systems that can accommodate a variety of water technologies into large grid-tied floating solar systems. Successful completion of the project will lower the costs to treat and transport water. By mechanically and electrically integrating water technologies into floating solar systems, costs can be shared, and electricity can be generated at the point of use. This will not only help reduce the capital costs of adding these technologies but will also nearly eliminate the operational expenses associated with their operation. Over the project lifetime, this will have a significant impact on the budgets of water body operations, agencies, and treatment facilities.