Utah’s first floating solar project completed – pv warehouse USA

September 27, 2024 Ryan Kennedy

Cleantech integrator Ameresco announced that it has completed construction of Utah’s first floating solar project. The project was created on a water reservoir operated by the Mountain Regional District of Special Water Services.

“The notion that solar panels must be installed on land is an unnecessary restriction,” said Lou Maltzelos, executive vice president of Ameresco. “By rethinking their placement, we are unlocking new opportunities for sustainability.”

Ameresco partnered with floating solar company D3Energy to install the 587.5 kW array. It is expected to generate 871,068 kWh of electricity per year, offsetting estimated carbon dioxide emissions by 609 tonnes per year.

The system is expected to offset 92% of the plant’s energy use and reduce energy costs by 80%.

“The district is not just implementing solar energy per se – it is deeply involved in the economic aspects of this project. “This first-ever floating solar panel in Utah is both innovative and economically feasible, making it a great example of sustainability,” Maltzelos said.

The investment was completed ahead of schedule, construction ended on September 10, 2024, and acceptance ended on September 20. Full use permit for the facility is expected by October 23, 2024, the company said.

The Ameresco project received $400,000 in support from Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky awards program.

“For over 20 years, the Blue Sky program has offered Rocky Mountain Power customers a simple and effective way to reduce their carbon footprint and support renewable energy by simply living,” said Shawn Grant, director of customer solutions at Rocky Mountain Power. “From installing new solar panels to helping community organizations reduce operating costs to launching innovative battery projects, we are committed to supporting sustainable renewable energy for future generations.”

Blue Sky is a program that allows Rocky Mountain Power customers to cover all or part of their energy consumption with renewable energy. Since 2006, Blue Sky program participants have helped finance more than 216 new, local renewable energy projects in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming communities.

In 2023, more than 138,000 Blue Sky participants collectively supported 1,021,063 MWh of renewable energy, reducing their total carbon footprint by an estimated 639,180 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

The floating solar project was installed by Apollo Energy. A video presenting the project can be seen below.

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