As reservoirs face increasing pressure from climate change, population growth, and rising energy demand, utilities and water authorities are being asked to do more with existing infrastructure. Land suitable for new renewable energy development is increasingly scarce and recently scrutinized, yet the demand for clean, reliable power continues to rise.
Against this backdrop, reservoirs are drawing new attention—not just as critical water resources, but as potential platforms for renewable energy. Floating solar offers a way to generate power without consuming land, but when systems are proposed for reservoirs that support drinking water, irrigation, hydropower, or flood control, regulatory oversight becomes non-negotiable.
Reservoirs are among the most tightly regulated water bodies, and for good reason. Any infrastructure placed on them must protect water quality, maintain operational safety, and preserve long-term reliability. Floating solar can meet those expectations, but only when projects are designed and executed with regulatory requirements at the forefront.
Picture a quiet drinking-water reservoir on a hot August afternoon. The surface shimmers as evaporation silently pulls millions of gallons into the air. Nearby land suitable for new solar development is limited or already committed. Now imagine part of that water surface hosting a carefully engineered island of solar panels, reducing evaporation, helping suppress algal growth, and delivering clean power to the grid. That vision is no longer hypothetical, it is already happening. But only projects that respect water regulations and ecological limits are approved and built to last.
The good news is that floating solar developers are not starting from scratch. A growing body of best practices, regulatory frameworks, and proven design standards provides a clear pathway for installing floating solar safely and responsibly.
Understanding Reservoir Oversight and Authority
Reservoirs are often managed by public entities such as municipal water utilities, regional water districts, or state and federal authorities. In many cases, a single reservoir may fall under multiple layers of jurisdiction. These governing bodies are responsible for protecting water quality, public safety, and operational integrity.
Before a floating solar project can move forward, developers must identify the reservoir owner and all agencies with regulatory authority. This often includes state environmental departments, water management districts, and public health agencies. Each authority may have its own permitting requirements, design criteria, and review timelines. Additionally, the requirements vary by state and reservoir type, making the planning and permitting stage all the more important.
Early engagement is critical. Regulatory agencies are far more receptive when involved during the planning stages rather than being presented with a finalized design. Early coordination clarifies expectations regarding array layout, anchoring strategies, access corridors, and environmental protections, significantly reducing redesign risk later in the approval process.
Water Quality Protection Requirements
Protecting water quality is the highest priority, especially for drinking water supplies. Floating solar systems must be designed so that no materials, coatings, or components pose a contamination risk over the systems lifespan.
Regulatory reviews assess all materials in contact with the water. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) floats made from virgin material are industry standard because they are chemically stable, non-toxic, and resistant to degradation. Marine-grade aluminum frames and stainless steel hardware are also preferred due to their corrosion resistance and minimal leaching potential.
AccuSolar’s system design aligns closely with these expectations by prioritizing water-safe, long-life materials throughout the floating structure. AccuSolar floats are manufactured using 100 percent virgin HDPE with consistent wall thickness, ensuring long-term durability without the risk of chemical leaching. Each float is closed-cell foam filled, providing redundant buoyancy and preventing water intrusion even if the exterior surface is damaged.
The structural framework is constructed from marine-grade aluminum and secured with stainless steel hardware to minimize corrosion in variable reservoir environments. Electrical components are carefully routed to reduce moisture exposure, and system layouts are designed to limit direct interaction with the water wherever possible.
Anchoring and Structural Safety Standards
Reservoirs experience fluctuating water levels, wind loads, wave action, and seasonal weather. Anchoring systems must accommodate these forces without damaging the reservoir bottom or shoreline.
Agencies often require site-specific anchoring plans that consider bathymetry and sediment type. Common approaches include weighted anchors, driven piles (where permitted), or shoreline-based tethering. The selected method must ensure long-term stability while allowing for significant water level changes. Structural safety reviews focus on ensuring that floating solar arrays remain secure during extreme weather accounting for wind uplift, wave forces, and thermal expansion.
Maintaining Reservoir Operations and Access
Reservoirs serve multiple purposes including hydropower generation, water treatment intake structures, and dam safety. Floating solar installations must be designed to avoid interference with these critical functions.
Regulators typically require setbacks from intake structures, spillways, and dam infrastructure. Access lanes may need to be maintained for maintenance vessels or emergency response. In some cases, floating solar arrays are designed in modular sections, allowing for partial removal or repositioning if future reservoir operations demand flexibility.
Clear access planning reassures authorities that floating solar will not compromise reservoir reliability or emergency preparedness.
Compliance and Long-Term Accountability
Floating solar systems must comply with national and local electrical codes (NEC), occupational safety standards (OSHA), and marine safety requirements. This includes proper grounding, fault protection, and safe access for personnel. Integrated walkways and stable service platforms are frequently required to allow safe movement across the array.
Permitting agencies often require ongoing monitoring and maintenance commitments as part of project approval. This may include regular inspections, water quality monitoring, and reporting requirements.
With an anticipated system life of over 25 years, there is likely a call to still require decommissioning plans, outlining how the system would be removed at the end of its service life without impacting the reservoir.
These requirements ensure that floating solar installations remain safe, responsible, and reliable for decades.
Working Successfully Within Regulatory Frameworks
Water regulations exist to protect critical public resources. Floating solar projects that prioritize safety, transparency, and collaboration are almost always well received. By aligning engineering design with regulatory expectations, developers can unlock the benefits of floating solar while maintaining the trust of water authorities and the communities they serve. Contact us to learn how AccuSolar can support your reservoir-based floating solar project.
