In this episode of The Raptor Report, we dive into the emerging world of floating solar with Thomas Lang, Director of Technology and Business Development at AccuSolar. Floating solar—placing solar arrays on reservoirs, cooling ponds, and retention basins—is gaining traction as a scalable, high-yield, and land-conserving alternative to traditional ground-mounted systems. Thomas shares what makes floating solar a compelling solution for utilities, municipalities, and developers facing land constraints or rising water scarcity. We explore the engineering behind these systems, how they outperform ground-based solar on yield and maintenance, and the environmental benefits like water conservation and algae reduction. Thomas also offers a candid look at regulatory hurdles, project economics, and the future of floating solar in powering energy-hungry sectors like data centers.
In this episode of The Raptor Report, we explore the rise of floating solar with Thomas Lang, Director of Technology and Business Development at AccuSolar. As demand for clean energy accelerates and land availability tightens, floating solar presents a unique opportunity to generate renewable power while conserving precious water resources.
Thomas unpacks how floating solar works, where it’s being deployed, and why it’s becoming an increasingly attractive option for utilities, municipalities, and data center developers. From anchored rafts on cooling ponds to evaporation reduction and seasonal panel tilting, this conversation covers both the fundamentals and the advanced considerations of deploying solar on water.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Thomas also shares his unconventional path into clean energy—from Middle East counterterrorism work to pioneering floating solar in the U.S.—and gives a glimpse into where the industry is headed next.