White Pine Renewables takes top spot with largest floating solar system in the US

White Pine Renewables completed the Healdsburg Floating Solar Project, which will deliver clean energy to Healdsburg, California, under a 25-year power purchase agreement. The project is the largest floating solar system completed in the United States to date, at 4.78 MW_dc and sited on ponds at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

White Pine Solar completed a 4.78-MW_dc floating solar project in Healdsburg, California, the largest in the country to date.

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

The Healdsburg Floating Solar Project was developed and is operated by White Pine Renewables.

“This project exemplifies what differentiates White Pine,” said Evan Riley, CEO of White Pine. “We combined innovative technology and an efficient capital structure to provide long-term savings to the City of Healdsburg.”

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

Terry Crowley, utility director for Healdsburg, described the project as “a cornerstone of the city’s long-term plan to save money on energy costs and provide city electric customers with 60% renewable energy.” Crowley added that he “greatly appreciated the collaborative partnership between White Pine, Noria and Collins Electrical to deliver the project safely, efficiently and in an extremely short period of time.”

Jon Wank, CEO of Noria, noted that the Noria-White Pine partnership “leveraged Noria’s experience in floating solar technology and White Pine’s development experience to create a project that delivers low-cost renewable energy while creating environmental benefits.”

While still a small portion of the overall solar market, floating PV 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.

News item from White Pine Renewables

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2021/03/white-pine-renewables-takes-top-spot-with-largest-floating-solar-system-in-the-us/