Outside of the whole process involving proof of concepts, this idea is less logical than it seems.
Evaporation does not take that much water away from California's water system, especially when it's put into context with how much water is being used.
Solar panels are also not highly desirable in California at the moment. Right now, the state is investing heavily into energy storage options, such as these batteries. The reason being is because the state suffers an energy crunch in the evening hours when solar panels aren't generating any power.
So the dilemma becomes a question of alternatives. Why spend money on solar panels when there are cheaper methods to counter evaporation? Why not instead invest into storage options which can be charged by the surplus of energy that the state gets during the noon hours?
ShotgunStyles t1_j8l6t90 wrote
Reply to comment by BigMax in US’s first solar panels over canals pilot will deploy iron flow batteries by For_All_Humanity
Outside of the whole process involving proof of concepts, this idea is less logical than it seems.
Evaporation does not take that much water away from California's water system, especially when it's put into context with how much water is being used.
Solar panels are also not highly desirable in California at the moment. Right now, the state is investing heavily into energy storage options, such as these batteries. The reason being is because the state suffers an energy crunch in the evening hours when solar panels aren't generating any power.
So the dilemma becomes a question of alternatives. Why spend money on solar panels when there are cheaper methods to counter evaporation? Why not instead invest into storage options which can be charged by the surplus of energy that the state gets during the noon hours?