Noria Energy, a floating solar developer and technology provider, is beginning construction on Aurea Solar, a 50-kW floating solar pilot project in Golden, Colorado that will provide renewable energy for local water utility operations. Built with Noria’s newly developed floating solar tracker technology, AquaPhi, the project is located on Fairmount Reservoir, a water storage reservoir owned and operated by Consolidated Mutual Water Company (CMWC).
Credit: Noria Energy
As demand for energy and water grows nationwide, this floating solar technology turns existing water infrastructure into energy-producing assets and also conserves water by reducing evaporation.
The Golden project is the first in the United States to deploy floating solar tracking technology on water. Using Noria’s AquaPhi technology, the pilot with CMWC will power on-site pumps used to regulate water supply in the reservoir.
Today’s conventional floating solar systems are static and do not track the sun. AquaPhi lets floating solar systems track the sun by rotating the solar array, increasing the system’s energy output by an estimated 10 to 20%, the company stated in a press release. AquaPhi can be deployed in new builds or added existing floating solar projects.
“We are excited to embark on the prospects of floating solar as a means to not only produce and conserve energy, but also to improve our water supply by reducing how much is lost to evaporation,” said Jarod Roberts, CMWC’s chief of water resources.
Noria is building the project in partnership with GRID Alternatives and Hazelett Marine, a mooring solutions provider for floating solar.
“We couldn’t be more excited to work with our partners CMWC, GRID Alternatives, and Hazelett to deploy our powerful technology that helps make clean energy more accessible to more customers,” said Ron Stimmel, CEO of Noria CEO.
The 50-kW project is scheduled for commissioning in September 2025.
News item from Noria Energy
