Colorado unveils the nation's first floating solar tracker, featuring a 50 kW energy-storing water reservoir system
The Consolidated Mutual Water Company (CMWC) in Golden, Colorado, is set to make history with the Aurea Solar project, a groundbreaking initiative that combines floating solar technology with high-performance solar tracking. This project marks a new step for floating solar technology in the United States.
The solar array, scheduled to begin operations in September 2025, will be located at the Fairmount Reservoir, owned and operated by CMWC. The 50-kilowatt floating solar pilot, contributed to by GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit, and Hazelett Marine, will power pumps that help regulate water supply for CMWC customers, supporting the utility's mission of providing safe and reliable water to over 100,000 people in the greater Denver area.
The Aurea Solar project is noteworthy for its innovative technology, particularly Noria Energy's AquaPhi system. This proprietary floating solar tracker allows solar islands to rotate and follow the sun, potentially boosting energy output by 10 to 15 percent compared to fixed systems.
The benefits of floating solar are numerous, and this project showcases their advantages, including cost-effectiveness and reduced water evaporation. As interest in floating solar grows in the US, with reservoirs, water utilities, and the Department of Defense exploring its potential, projects like Aurea Solar could pave the way for a future where water reservoirs double as renewable power plants.
Other states, such as Texas, are beginning to explore similar possibilities. Third Pillar Solar is studying 500 megawatts of floating solar panels on a reservoir system, demonstrating the growing potential of this technology.
If successful, the Aurea Solar project could provide a model for scaling up floating solar trackers nationwide, making large reservoirs dual-purpose assets for renewable electricity and water preservation. The project, spearheaded by Noria Energy, is expected to accelerate momentum by proving that solar tracking can succeed on water.
The Aurea Solar project is the first in the US to combine floating solar with high-performance solar tracking technology, and it's a significant step towards a more sustainable future for water utilities and renewable energy production.
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