It gets me why they dont float the solar panels on the water. 1....

It gets me why they dont float the solar panels on the water.
1. Evaporation is huge on these things.
2. Dam water level is out of the wind so panels cannot be blown off staunchens.
3. Sprays can be set on the panels to regulate temperature and clean the panels.
etc etc

Did someone say this was going to cost all up $800mil approx? Why so expensive?

Dont get me wrong I like the concept and there are plenty of mines (approx 60,000 abandoned mines in Australia apparently) that need renovating and turning into mini hydro schemes. Much better than lithium batteries IMO.
The other aspect is we really need to look at water storage instead of desal plants IMO. So these are a win-win.

We need too start planning now for a grid system of these for generating baseload electricity and backup water supply.

Just not sure about the cost.

Sonic