The Feasibility of Installing FPV on the Reservoirs of Dams in Hormozgan Province to Produce Energy and Reduce the Amount of Water Evaporation

Renewable energy production using solar panels as cover on reservoirs and dams has increased in arid and semi-arid countries. By using this method, in addition to producing clean energy, drinking water evaporation amount would be reduced in the tanks. Hormozgan province located in the south of Iran is considered to be arid. Jagin and Esteghlal Minab dams are the major water suppliers in this province. Throughout the past few years, the decrease in rainfall has caused an increase in the evaporation of reservoir water. According to the appropriate amount of radiation in mentioned areas, installing floating solar panels on the tanks is possible. The simulation using PVSOL in three installation modes: south direction, east-west, and flat. The estimation of the volume and water level to cover these panels has shown that by using the existing apron zone cover with a flat layout in the dams, a solar power plant with a power of 9Gw will be built with an energy production of 9000 Gwh/year. Also placing the FPV panel on the canal has prevented water evaporation by 100,000 cubic meters. It is required to mention that proper climate and radiation angle can lead to power plants with 80%+ performance.