Colorado introduces the first American floating solar tracker integrated with a 50 kW energy storage reservoir

A Revolutionary Floating Solar Project Set to Launch in September 2025

The solar energy landscape is set to transform with the impending launch of the Aurea Solar project, a groundbreaking initiative that will demonstrate the viability of solar tracking on water. This project, spearheaded by Noria Energy, is one of several in the US exploring the potential of floating solar energy and solar tracking technology.

Scheduled to begin operations in September 2025, the Aurea Solar project will be a first in the US as it combines floating solar with high-performance solar tracking technology. The project is being developed at the Fairmount Reservoir, which is owned and operated by the Consolidated Mutual Water Company (CMWC).

Noria Energy's collaboration with GRID Alternatives and Hazelett Marine promises an innovative approach. The project will showcase these benefits at the Fairmount Reservoir, potentially paving the way for scaling up floating solar trackers nationwide.

The success of the Aurea Solar project could have far-reaching implications. By placing solar panels on water, utilities can produce power and reduce water evaporation at the same time. This makes the project a cost-effective way to generate renewable energy without using up valuable land.

The Aurea Solar installation utilizes Noria's AquaPhi system, a floating solar tracker that rotates to follow the sun, boosting energy output by 10 to 20 percent. This technology can be built into new projects or added later to existing floating solar installations as a retrofit.

Interest in floating solar is growing in the US, with reservoirs, water utilities, and even the Department of Defense exploring its potential. The Aurea Solar project aims to demonstrate how water reservoirs across the country could double as renewable power plants, offering a promising solution for our increasing energy needs while preserving water supplies.

Meanwhile, Noria Energy has already made strides in this field. They have begun construction on a 50-kilowatt floating solar pilot in Golden, Colorado, and have an installation in Morocco scheduled to begin operation in 2024. The solar array will supply clean energy for local water utility operations and power pumps that help regulate water supply for CMWC customers.

As the Aurea Solar project gears up for its launch, it is poised to accelerate momentum by proving that solar tracking can succeed on water, potentially revolutionising the solar energy sector in the US.