France-based floating solar (FPV) specialist Ciel & Terre has completed a 252kW FPV system wastewater treatment pond in Kelseyville, California, part of four projects in the US totalling 5.3MW in the third quarter of 2018.
The 252kW FPV project is for the Lake County Special Districts on behalf of Kelseyville County Waterworks Dist. #3 in partnership with local contractor North Coast Solar and the first public FPV system installed in California.
The project uses Ciel & Terre’s ‘ Hydrelio’ floating system technology and includes 720 PV modules and module optimizers provided by SolarEdge to maximize output, which is expected to deliver up to 1,650kWh of electricity in its first year.
Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis
Photovoltaics International is now included.
- Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
- In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
- Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
- Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
- Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
- Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual
Or continue reading this article for free
Jan Coppinger, Special Districts Administrator for Lake County said, “We didn’t have available land or rooftop space suitable for this project, but our wastewater treatment pond had enough surface area to accommodate a sizable solar system. Floating is a great way to control algae growth in the pond at the same time we generate virtually free energy. All costs to provide utilities continue to increase, which forces Special Districts to seek out and implement any means possible to reduce future costs. This floating solar system will result in significant savings in future years.”
The project was financed by a municipal lease.