D3Energy has cut the ribbon on what it calls Utah’s first floating solar array, which the company developed at the Signal Hill Water Treatment Plant.
Operated by Mountain Regional Water, the 600 kW system, developed in collaboration with Ameresco, is expected to offset 90% of the plant’s power. The project utilizes Ciel & Terre’s Hydrelio floating system.
“Water treatment plants, like Signal Hill, are ideal candidates for floating solar due to the large, often unused water surfaces they manage,” says Stetson Tchividjian, managing director at D3Energy.
“This technology allows facilities to reduce energy costs and their environmental footprint while optimizing available resources.”
The Signal Hill project joins D3Energy’s portfolio of floating solar systems at water treatment facilities. This year, the company installed Ohio’s first floating array at Del-Co Water, as well as a system for Orange County Utilities.
Floating solar at water utilities is an innovative and highly efficient way to utilize otherwise unused space on water bodies like reservoirs, ponds, or treatment basins. By installing solar panels on these surfaces, utilities can generate renewable energy without competing for land resources. If adopted widely across the country, this approach could significantly reduce operational costs by lowering electricity expenses, while also slashing carbon emissions, contributing to sustainability goals. Moreover, floating solar provides grid resilience and power reliability, as the decentralized generation of power reduces dependency on external power grids. This combination of financial savings, environmental benefits, and enhanced energy… Read more »