The Era of Floating Solar Power Plants in Resource Management

The rapid increase in global energy demand and the intensifying impacts of climate change are driving the search for multidimensional solutions within renewable energy technologies. At this point, Floating Solar Power Plants (Floating PV) emerge as an innovative model that goes beyond conventional systems by integrating energy generation with water resource management.

Solar panels installed on the surfaces of dams, ponds, and artificial reservoirs increase electricity production while simultaneously contributing to the protection of water resources by partially shading the water surface and reducing evaporation. At a time when critical issues such as the climate crisis, drought, and rising energy demand are all on the global agenda, floating PV systems offer a single solution to two fundamental needs. Ultimately, the integration of energy generation and water conservation within the same system transforms floating PV plants into a holistic solution.

From a technical perspective, it would not be wrong to say that floating PV systems deliver higher performance compared to ground-mounted installations. Thanks to the natural cooling effect of the water surface, panels operate at lower temperatures, which increases electricity generation efficiency. At the same time, the absence of land-use requirements helps reduce pressure on agricultural areas and natural ecosystems. In this respect, floating PV plants represent a significant alternative in terms of sustainable land management.

Türkiye is in a highly favorable position for floating PV applications due to its extensive dam and artificial reservoir potential. In recent years, steps taken in this field, together with a regulatory framework that became clearer as of 2025, have paved the way for investments. In December 2025, the regulation prepared by the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), titled “Regulation on the Procedures and Principles Regarding the Use and Leasing of Water Surfaces for the Installation of Floating Solar Power Plants,” was published in the Official Gazette and entered into force. With this regulation, application processes, leasing procedures, and technical-administrative evaluation stages for floating PV projects were brought together under a comprehensive framework.

Addressing water and energy policies in an integrated manner constitutes a strategic approach for long-term climate resilience. Offering tangible benefits such as the reduction of carbon emissions, the protection of water resources, and the strengthening of energy supply security, these systems hold the potential to become one of the key building blocks of sustainable development. And in the energy infrastructure of the future, it seems inevitable that we will hear the name of floating systems rising on water more and more frequently.