Floating solar panels could power entire cities

A new study is proposing a possible solution for powering the world’s cities: floating solar panels.

The report centers around ‘floatovoltaics’, large arrays of solar panels that float on the surface of water reservoirs.

The panels and water would work together - the water keeps the panels cool so they can operate more efficiently, while the panels conserve water by blocking enough sunlight to keep it from evaporating.

A large enough floatovoltaic could completely power an entire city - and researchers say more than 6,300 cities worldwide could support them.