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Many places are dealing with the problem of water scarcity, especially in the summer months. This occurs mostly in the dry areas with hot climates that are exposed to intensive solar insolation which are the main driver for the evaporation of water. Some companies that are in charge of water service, and are operating open water reservoirs, have developed a solution to cover the water with floating balls to limit the solar insolation and to mitigate the evaporation of water. Another good approach is using floating solar panels for the same cause, which will provide an additional power source. It can enhance the productivity of hydropower plants with reservoirs. An additional benefit of the solution is the amount of the available water surfaces for placing the solar panels, instead of potentially useful areas for other purposes (agriculture, buildings ...). This paper reviews the current development of the technology, potentials, and best practices. It shows that this technology is feasible and can compete with other power sources, considering the cheapest LCOE being 46 USD/MWh for a 50 MW power plant in Uttar Pradesh, India. [Display omitted] • FPV is feasible, with LCOE as low as 46 USD/MWh for a 50 MW power plant in Uttar Pradesh, India. • FPV improves water retention in open reservoirs while improving efficiency of PV panels. • Asian countries have recognized potentials of FPV and have the largest plants (150 MW construction in Huainan, China). • Developers from EU have key knowledge for development of FPV projects, why their development should be supported there. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extensive canal irrigation network in South Asia has developed over the past 170 years that consists of thousands of kilometers of constructed channels and distributaries. These canals cut across many energy-poor regions along their paths. In India, this canal network provides a unique opportunity for renewable energy generation that is yet to be realized. Existing technologies for energy generation on canals include small hydropower on canal falls and, recently, canal-top solar panels. In addition, opportunities for hydrokinetic generation in irrigation canals have received limited attention. This paper develops a novel canal-network level framework for energy planning that integrates generation with local energy needs in a canal-corridor. This framework for integrated spatial assessment analyzes the supply of renewable energy generation potential and the demand of unmet energy needs in a canal-corridor, using the Upper Ganga Canal in Uttar Pradesh, India as a case study. We consider the theoretical and technological potential of hydropower and solar power generation and develop three indices to assess the agricultural, domestic, and composite unmet power demand of the canal-corridor. Our results show an overall theoretical potential of 149.1 MW and 13,213 MW for small hydropower and solar power, respectively, which could more than help meet the current 18 hours per day electricity service standard in Uttar Pradesh. The framework uses standardized irrigation and census datasets and therefore is generalizable for canal networks across India and South Asia more broadly. • Irrigation canal energy technologies include small hydro and canal-top solar power. • Novel canal-network level framework for energy planning. • Integration of generation potential with local energy needs in a canal corridor. • Theoretical and technological potential of energy generation on canals. • Three indices for agricultural, domestic, and composite unmet power demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar lamps are a quick, affordable, and effective way to provide basic lighting for households in rural areas of developing countries. However, implementers and researchers argue that the market for solar products is hampered by a lack of awareness and willingness to pay (WTP) for solar technology. In this paper, we investigate awareness of solar products, household motivation to adopt solar technology, household perception of solar lamps when compared to kerosene-based lighting devices, and lastly, the availability of electricity after dark. We analyzed a repeated-measures (longitudinal) data of 1159 rural households in energy-poor villages in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, India. Longitudinal logistic regression analyses were performed to study how various factors influence users WTP for solar lamps at Indian market price (~8.61 US$) over time. We find that households awareness of various solar products and their motivation to adopt solar technology has increased over time but there is much room to grow awareness in Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, especially for solar home systems and solar water pumps. Our model predicted that the households WTP for solar lamps at the market price increased with high income but it is significantly moderated by their level of awareness of solar products and their motivation to adopt solar technology. These findings suggest that increasing awareness of solar products through various dissemination programs leading to significant interest in solar products among people which in turn may enhance their WTP for solar products. • Repeated-measures (longitudinal) data of 1159 rural households in energy-poor villages in India were analyzed. • This study determines factors that influence the households willingness to pay (WTP) for solar lamps in rural India. • Awareness of solar products coupled with motivation to adopt solar technology significantly raise the probability of WTP. • WTP for solar lamps at the market price increases with income. • Awareness of solar products through various programs lead to significant interest in solar energy products among people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]