Floating solar could deliver the advantages of renewable energy with less of the visual impact of wind farms.
And now MP John Cooper has written to the Scottish Government urging them to follow the UK Government’s lead and back floating solar on reservoirs.
‘I am very struck by some of the advantages of floating solar,’ said Mr Cooper, Conservative and Unionist MP for Dumfries & Galloway.
‘There are obvious positives to using the “dead space” of reservoirs for panels, rather than south-facing prime agricultural land, which is vital for food production.
‘Panels cut evaporation of water, a precious resource, and mounting then on water cools the panels – they’re more efficient at lower temperatures.
‘Crucially, floating solar is considerably less visually intrusive than the wind farms which festoon the Galloway hills and whose turbines are bigger and getting closer to communities.’
The MP has now written to Gillian Martin, Scottish Government Cabinet secretary for Net Zero and Energy, asking if she will follow the UK Energy Minister Ed Miliband.
He has made floating solar and key element of his new Solar Roadmap.
Mr Cooper added: ‘I’ve consistently said communities should have more say over the siting of renewables infrastructure but, sadly, their opinions are too often bulldozed aside and wind farms forced through.
‘Floating solar might reduce the need for iron giant turbines, and tests show water quality, fish and wildlife do well with floating solar.
‘Reservoirs such as Dindinnie and Penwhirn in the west of D&G, and at Dalbeattie and Kettleton in the east, might be suitable candidates.
‘There could be technical challenges with something as large as Clatteringshaws – part of the Galloway hydro-electric scheme – between Newton Stewart and New Galloway, but this is all about innovation.
‘I’d love clean energy to flow from big bodies of water – and if it means fewer turbines cluttering our glorious countryside and skylines, then so much the better.’
