At 4.78 MW(dc) and located on ponds at Healdsburg’s wastewater treatment plant, the Healdsburg Floating Solar Project is the largest floating solar project completed in the United States to date. The project that will deliver clean energy to Healdsburg under a 25-year power purchase agreement.

The electricity generated by the project will cover approximately 8 percent of the city’s total energy demand and is an important part of Healdsburg’s plan to reach 60 percent renewable energy before 2030. Additionally, locating the solar panels on water avoids using land for development and will reduce evaporation and algae growth, benefiting the surrounding vineyards that rely on the treated water for irrigation.

While still a small portion of the overall solar market, floating photovoltaic is becoming increasingly popular because of its dual land use purpose and generally higher energy production due to the cooling effects of water and wind.

The project was developed and is operated by White Pine Renewables. Noria Energy co-developed the project with White Pine, and Collins Electrical Company Inc., a California-based construction contractor, provided installation services. The Healdsburg project was completed in less than six months from procurement to commissioning.