D3Energy, a Florida-based renewable energy company, has begun operation of Utah’s first floating solar array. The 600-kilowatt system, deployed on the surface of the collection pond at Mountain Regional Water’s Signal Hill Water Treatment Plant near Park City, will supply the bulk of the power to operate the facility. The project uses a Hydrelio floating system manufactured by Ciel & Terre in Petaluma, California.
Floating solar offers an innovative solution for water utilities, particularly those with limited land availability, D3Energy said. Beyond energy production, floating solar can improve water quality by reducing evaporation and inhibiting algae growth, leading to lower maintenance costs and improved operational efficiency. Importantly, floating solar systems are designed to have minimal impact on aquatic life, preserving the health of water ecosystems while providing renewable energy.
“Water treatment plants, like Signal Hill, are ideal candidates for floating solar due to the large, often unused water surfaces they manage,” said Stetson Tchividjian, managing director of D3Energy. “This technology allows facilities to reduce energy costs and their environmental footprint while optimizing available resources.”