Bluefield’s Technical Director of Floating Solar, and lifelong angler, Steve Hudson, explores the growing body of research around floating solar and its potential to support fish welfare.
As someone who spends my working week designing floating solar systems, and many weekends quietly stalking carp around the UK, I’m often asked whether floating solar and angling can really coexist.
The truth is, they can – and when done responsibly, they complement each other.
At Bluefield, we’re developing a pipeline of floating solar on man made waterbodies such as drinking water reservoirs, industrial lakes and former minerals extraction sites.
With recent UK heatwaves placing unprecedented stress on fish, floating solar can help protect the waters anglers value – a point increasingly supported by emerging scientific research.
Anglers understand how temperature, oxygen levels, light penetration and underwater structure influence fish behaviour. These same factors are affected by climate change, with hotter summers placing additional stress on freshwater ecosystems.
Recent Environment Agency reporting highlights growing concerns around heat-related fish distress events, driven by elevated water temperatures and reduced dissolved oxygen levels.2,7 As lakes warm earlier and remain warmer for longer, fish become more vulnerable to stress, poor water quality and, in extreme cases, mortality.
Research suggests that floating solar can help address several of these challenges:
Temperature Moderation
Studies from the University of Lancaster and University of Stirling found that floating solar can reduce surface water temperatures by 2 – 5°C, creating cooler refuge areas during periods of extreme heat.1
Improved Oxygen Conditions
Because cooler water holds more dissolved oxygen, even modest reductions in temperature can benefit fish welfare. Research from the Freshwater Biological Association and Environment Agency highlights the importance of maintaining oxygen levels during warm weather events and the risks that arise when water temperatures exceed critical thresholds.
Reduced Algal Blooms
A 2023 study published in Water Research found that shading from floating structures can reduce harmful algal blooms by 30 – 60%, helping to improve water quality and reduce oxygen depletion.4
Additional Habitat and Shelter
Research published in Aquatic Ecology and Ecological Engineering found no evidence of negative behavioural impacts on species such as carp, bream and roach. In many cases, fish actively used the shaded areas beneath floating arrays, which can provide shelter and support aquatic food chains.5,6
Taken together, these findings suggest that floating solar can do more than generate renewable energy. On suitable man-made waterbodies, it can contribute to healthier and more resilient aquatic environments.1,4,5
What the CBI Economics Report Shows
Bluefield recently commissioned a report from CBI Economics to assess the wider benefits of floating solar in the UK. The findings reinforce what many of us in the industry already recognise:
- Man-made waterbodies offer some of the lowest ecological sensitivity locations for floating solar deployment.8
- Floating solar can improve waterbody resilience to climate-related impacts.8
- Projects can be designed to coexist with recreational activities, including angling.8
- Floating solar can deliver local environmental benefits alongside renewable energy generation.8
The report makes clear that floating solar is not simply an energy technology – it can form part of a broader environmental solution.8
Looking Ahead
As both a floating solar specialist and a lifelong angler, I care deeply about the long-term health of our lakes and fisheries.
The evidence increasingly shows that, when thoughtfully designed and deployed on appropriate man-made waterbodies, floating solar can coexist with angling while delivering wider environmental benefits. By helping to moderate water temperatures, support water quality and improve resilience to climate-related pressures, floating solar offers more than just a source of clean energy.
As we look to safeguard freshwater ecosystems in a changing climate, the focus should be on solutions that work for both people and nature. Floating solar has the potential to be one of them.
References
1. University of Lancaster & University of Stirling – Floating Solar Shading and Temperature Reduction (2023)
2. Environment Agency – Heatwave Impact Briefing (2023)
3. Freshwater Biological Association – Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Thresholds (2022)
4. Water Research – Shading and Algal Bloom Suppression (2023)
5. Aquatic Ecology – Fish Adaptation to Floating Structures (2021)
6. Ecological Engineering – Behavioural Impacts on Carp, Bream and Roach Around Floating PV (2022)
7. Environment Agency – Fish Distress Events During Heatwaves (2023)
8. CBI Economics – The Economic and Environmental Potential of Floating Solar in the UK (2024)