Solar Panels on Reservoir Not Ruled Out

Manx Utilities has considered the use of floating solar panels on Sulby Reservoir.

However, the taxpayer owned energy provider says that alternative solutions may be more efficient. 

The issue was raised on Twitter by Patrick John Craythornem, who has past experience in renewable energy. He suggested that half of reservoir water could be covered with floating solar panels which would not only provide clean energy, but also help prevent evaporation. 

Manx Utilities replied to his tweet to say that it had already looked into potential for this in Sulby reservoir, but warned it may not be the panacea we may think it to be.

The authority tweeted: ‘Sulby having the greatest potential to generate electricity from Solar across all Public estate. The panels also have the potential to minimise evaporation losses. Solar panels on Sulby reservoir could deliver up to 15 MWpeak at midday during the summer months or up to 14,500 MWh per year. 

‘The cooling effect of the water helps to increase efficiency of the panels. to accommodate a floating solar array, some water in the reservoir would need to be displaced. It is not currently known whether or not the water displaced would be greater than the savings for evaporation losses and we are currently working with our water team to better understand this element.’

However, Manx Utilities also noted that, as well as environmental concerns and the price, it isn’t known whether or not the water displaced would be greater than the savings for evaporation losses.

It added: ‘Sulby is one of many possible sites for renewable electricity that we have investigated and may not represent the best opportunity to generate electricity at the times it is most needed. While a solar farm at Sulby could generate up to 14,500 MWh per year a 15MW wind farm could generate up to 46,000 MWh per year, and it tends to be windy on the Island when demand for electricity is at its highest.’