Very creative. Utilizing an otherwise useless surface area of water storage for irrigation, and at the same time help minimize evaporation, and providing total annual electric consumption.

My only comment about electricity from Solar Panels is that it is not economically feasible compared to electricity from utilities. At this point, if I can find a company that will reduce my installation cost by doing the installation myself and have them check and certify it, then it is truly feasible. With the many thin film solar companies ramping up production, perhaps within two to three more years, it will be comparable to prices of electricity from utilities.

Joe


Floating solar farm juices up winery
Posted by Martin LaMonica


By joereal at 2008-05-29
Napa Valley winery Far Niente on Tuesday commissioned what it says is the first floating solar farm.
(Credit: Sharp Solar Systems)

Called a "floatovoltaic" solar array, it is a collection of almost 1,000 solar panels hitched to pontoons that float in the vineyard's irrigation pond.

In tandem with another 1,300 panels next to the pond, the entire array will generate about 4,000 kilowatts of energy at peak time, covering the winery's annual electricity use.

The panels in Far Niente's solar array, made by Sharp Solar Systems, were installed by SPG Solar.