Evaporation Model for Floating Solar Panels—Launch of the Second Phase of the WMO Energy Mini Project in Chile
A new WMO Energy Mini Project began in January 2025 in Chile under the ENANDES+ project, following the successful completion of its first phase. The initial phase focused on developing an evaporation rate reduction model for open bodies of water with floating solar panel systems (FSPS), which has now been integrated into the Energy Explorer of the Chilean Ministry of Energy.
In this second phase (January–December 2025), data from two meteorological stations will be collected, analyzed, and used to validate and refine the model, improving its accuracy and reliability for wider application.
Project Implementation & Partners
This initiative is led by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Energy Unit and funded by the ENANDES+ regional project. It is being implemented by a team of scientists from Universidad Diego Portales (UDP), in collaboration with the Chilean Meteorological Service (DMC) and the Chilean Ministry of Energy.
Activites
As part of the second phase, two meteorological stations were installed in Las Cabras (O’Higgins Region) and Putaendo (Valparaíso Region) in January 2025. These stations will monitor key environmental variables, including: Temperature, Humidity, Solar radiation, Wind speed and direction, Water inflow and outflow levels. The data collected throughout 2025 will be used to calibrate and validate the model, enhancing its accuracy and reliability for future applications.
Expected Otcomes
A key deliverable of this project is a standardized package designed by WMO’s Energy Unit, aimed at benefiting WMO Members worldwide. This package will support the application of the model in similar settings where floating solar panels are used on open water bodies.
The package will include:
📌 An open-source version of the model with its validation process in Jupyter Notebook
📌 An operational manual for running the model
📌 A recorded training video to support code implementation and results interpretation
To share the project’s findings, a technical webinar will be organized in December 2025 to showcase the results and discuss practical applications.
Through initiatives like this, WMO continues to support its Members by providing technical assistance and transforming scientific knowledge into practical solutions. By implementing scalable energy mini projects, WMO helps drive the clean energy transition, ensuring more sustainable and resilient energy systems worldwide.