Solar Power World

  • Home
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Articles
    • Most Recent Posts
    • News
      • Latest News Items
      • SPW State News Hub
      • IRA/HR1 coverage
      • Solar tariffs
      • U.S. manufacturing updates
    • Featured
      • Latest Feature Stories
      • Contractor’s Corner
      • Trends in Solar
      • The Solar Explorer
  • Policy
    • The Solar Policy Scoop
    • IRA/HR1 Coverage
  • Markets
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Community Solar
    • Utility
  • Products
    • Winners of SPW’s 2024 Top Products
    • Batteries and Storage
    • Electric Vehicle (EV)
    • Inverters
      • U.S. solar inverter manufacturers
    • Racking and Mounting
      • U.S. solar mounting manufacturers
    • Software
    • Solar Panels
      • U.S. solar panel manufacturers
  • Resources
    • About SPW
    • Digital Issues
    • Event Coverage
    • Podcasts
    • Product Manufacturing Locations
      • U.S. solar inverter manufacturers
      • U.S. solar mounting manufacturers
      • U.S. solar panel manufacturers
    • Solar Classrooms
    • Suppliers
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • Whitepapers
    • Voices
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Ciel & Terre developing 1.78-MW California floating solar array
The state's largest floating solar array

By Billy Ludt | May 23, 2019

Share

Floating solar power systems providers Ciel & Terre USA and officials from Windsor, California, have started construction of what will be the largest floating solar power system in the state. The floating array will be installed on the town’s largest recycled water storage pond and is expected to meet 90% of the water treatment and pump facilities’ energy needs.

The Ciel & Terre solar installation will consist of 4,959 (360 watts) high-output solar panels mounted atop the company’s patented Hydrelio floating solar racking system. The 1.78-MW system will generate power for the Windsor Wastewater Reclamation Facility, Public Works Corporation Yard and the Geysers pump station, saving about 30% of the electricity cost based on the facilities’ existing grid service. The array will be floated in the pond and tethered to the shore, making it resistant to wind and seismic loads.

With help from a local electrical union, Ciel & Terre is developing a 1.78-MW floating solar array in Windsor, California. The PV system is poised to be the state’s largest floating solar array. Ciel & Terre

Project financing is development is being handled by Ciel & Terre, which has entered into a 25-year lease and power purchase agreement (PPA) with Windsor to provide discounted clean energy. The floating solar system will let Windsor better control its electrical costs in the face of rising utility prices.

“By entering into a PPA, the town can substantially reduce its energy overhead without any investment,” said Eva Pauly-Bowles, representative director for Ciel & Terre USA. “Floating solar is becoming an attractive energy alternative for municipalities seeking to reduce operating costs and preserve valuable land for other developments.”

The floating solar project will cover 22% of the available water surface area of the pond. It will have no impact on the biology of the pond and will reduce water loss from evaporation and inhibit algae growth, the company said. The floating solar design can be expanded for extra capacity and will not affect plant operations while it is being installed.

“Our water reclamation and corporation yard facilities currently account for 40% of the town’s greenhouse gas emissions,” said Toni Bertolero, Windsor’s public works director. “Installation of this new floating solar array will reduce our reliance on energy-polluting…a significant step to achieve our Climate Action Plan emission reduction goals.”

Ciel & Terre is partnering with a local union contractor, Collins Electrical Company, for installation.

“Installing a Ciel & Terre floating solar system is like assembling a giant Lego structure. The floating frame snaps together and most of the assembly is done on shore so it is safe and relatively easy,” said Craig Gini, VP and renewables general manager for Collins Electrical Company. “Floating solar is an excellent alternative to conventional solar arrays and it’s simpler and faster to install. We expect more of our California customers will be installing floating solar systems in the coming months.”

Using manmade bodies of water provides more efficient energy production due to their cooling effect on the system while eliminating the need to use expensive real estate. The floating array also reduces water movement to minimize erosion and reduce evaporation, the company said.

The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) released a report estimating that floating solar systems could meet 10% of the United States electricity needs.

News item from Ciel & Terre

About The Author

Billy Ludt

Billy Ludt is senior editor of Solar Power World and currently covers topics on mounting, installation and business issues.

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

Related Articles Read More >

Largest rooftop solar project in Atlanta now online
Effects of HR1 on commercial, utility US solar markets
Commerce reveals prelim antidumping tariffs on Chinese battery anode material
Enphase now shipping batteries with higher domestic content
Solar Power World Digital Edition
Check in with the nation's leading solar construction magazine today.
 
“the-informed-solar-installer”
“solar
“spw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Solar Power Professionals.

Contractor’s Corner Podcast

“solar
Solar Power World
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Solar Articles
  • Windpower Engineering & Development
  • Leadership
  • About/Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising
  • WTWH Media

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Solar Power World

  • Home
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Articles
    • Most Recent Posts
    • News
      • Latest News Items
      • SPW State News Hub
      • IRA/HR1 coverage
      • Solar tariffs
      • U.S. manufacturing updates
    • Featured
      • Latest Feature Stories
      • Contractor’s Corner
      • Trends in Solar
      • The Solar Explorer
  • Policy
    • The Solar Policy Scoop
    • IRA/HR1 Coverage
  • Markets
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Community Solar
    • Utility
  • Products
    • Winners of SPW’s 2024 Top Products
    • Batteries and Storage
    • Electric Vehicle (EV)
    • Inverters
      • U.S. solar inverter manufacturers
    • Racking and Mounting
      • U.S. solar mounting manufacturers
    • Software
    • Solar Panels
      • U.S. solar panel manufacturers
  • Resources
    • About SPW
    • Digital Issues
    • Event Coverage
    • Podcasts
    • Product Manufacturing Locations
      • U.S. solar inverter manufacturers
      • U.S. solar mounting manufacturers
      • U.S. solar panel manufacturers
    • Solar Classrooms
    • Suppliers
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • Whitepapers
    • Voices
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe