Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
parabolic mirrors, as shown, and water-cooling with heat exchange coils under the
pontoon is a central feature. So, this device will work in hot regions where the sun is
strongest but only on a water surface. This is a niche application, a small market that
may be relatively easy to open to concentrating solar cells. Worldwide there are many
such locations, often favorably controlled with respect to gaining access.
For example, the Colorado River aqueduct, part of the 400 mile California
aqueduct, is a 242 mile water conveyance system that provides a large portion of
the drinking water in southern California, diverting water from the Colorado River.
About 63 miles of the Colorado River aqueduct is an open canal, on the order of 100
feet wide, too shallow for boating, and open to the sky. The solar power at 200W/m
2
falling on this area of water is then on the order of 724 MW. This large area of water
is under the control of a single authority that might be persuaded to make use of its
potential as photovoltaic power source. An account of planning for exploiting this
waterway for solar power has recently been given [99]. The company Solaris Synergy,
mentioned in connection with Figure 7.17, estimates that the California aqueduct
could yield 2MWpermile, totaling up to 800MW, and that the controlling authority is
concerned that the
floating solar arrays would need to bemoored on the banks, which
is the method used by Solaris Synergy to extract the electric power.
