Presuming a total adoption of solar across all reservoirs on the planet. We would have roughly 220k sq km of available “land”, roughly enough to support the EUs energy demand (assuming the energy could be magically transported from reservoirs on other continents)
Placing panels everywhere we can is a great idea, however pretending that there is a silver bullet is putting our heads in the sand.
Solar is not the only clean, cheap energy source. Wind coexists nicely with agriculture.
And, constructed reservoirs are not the only still water. California has estimated it can gather 12 GW just from its canals.
Solar may also usefully be sited on active pastureland, which is not in short supply. There, it reduces water demand and offers shelter for livestock. Livestock keeps down weeds.
There is a fair amount of industrial roofing in use, where solar extends its life. Some people have already installed there.
> Solar is not the only clean, cheap energy source. Wind coexists nicely with agriculture.
Then why not nuclear too? The world sorely needs options where we can spend some CapEx and solve global warming. I see nothing wrong with a mix of hydro, solar, geothermal, wind, and nuclear. There is no reason not to expect capital efficiencies in larger nuclear build-outs compared to the sporadic reactors we've built for the last ~50 years.
Right now we are seeing coal and natural gas plants getting built because there aren't enough renewable options. As has been the case for the last 50 years while renewables catch up.
Placing panels everywhere we can is a great idea, however pretending that there is a silver bullet is putting our heads in the sand.