Article Date: 21 January 2026
Lawmakers in Utah are considering an innovative proposal to install floating solar panels on major water bodies, including the Great Salt Lake and Utah Lake.
The proposal, presented by Water Wise Solar Solutions, suggests that floating solar arrays could simultaneously reduce evaporation and generate electricity. The Great Salt Lake alone is estimated to lose nearly 3 million acre-feet of water annually to evaporation, while reservoirs across the state lose approximately 1 million acre-feet collectively.
Supporters argue that shading water surfaces could conserve water resources while supplementing the grid amid rising electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence, data centers and electrified transport. Large-scale projects on Utah’s biggest lakes could potentially generate up to 1 gigawatt of power.
The initiative aligns with Governor Spencer Cox’s “Operation Gigawatt” strategy, which seeks to significantly expand the state’s energy output over the next decade.
However, concerns remain regarding environmental impacts, including effects on migratory bird populations, aquatic ecosystems and recreational use. Experts also note potential infrastructure challenges, particularly corrosion risks in the hypersaline waters of the Great Salt Lake.
Further studies and economic analyses would be required before any large-scale floating solar deployment proceeds.
Source: The Salt Lake Tribune