Excluding agriculture, the energy sector makes up 27% of the United States’ water consumption [15]. In order to produce electricity, fossil fuel and biomass plants burn fuels to boil water. The steam produced subsequently turns turbines that produce electricity. The steam is later cooled using additional water [15]. This problem of water consumption is particularly important in the Southwest, an arid region that depends on a few large sources of water. The switch to renewable forms of energy can certainly reduce the consumption of water by the energy sector. Solar energy particularly has a useful application because photovoltaic solar power consumes less than a hundredth of the water consumed by power plants that burn coal, shale gas or other fossil fuels [15].
In general, solar power technologies use a fairly modest amount of water – 20 gal/mWh – for cleaning solar collection and reflection surfaces such as mirrors, heliostats, panels, troughs and dishes [16]. The environmental impact from water use is mostly associated with CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) facilities that use conventional steam plants to produce electricity.
In general, solar power technologies use a fairly modest amount of water – 20 gal/mWh – for cleaning solar collection and reflection surfaces such as mirrors, heliostats, panels, troughs and dishes [16]. The environmental impact from water use is mostly associated with CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) facilities that use conventional steam plants to produce electricity.