MONROEVILLE, Ohio — U.S. floating solar developer D3Energy has broken ground on a 6-megawatt (MW) floating solar project that will soon hold the title of Ohio’s largest floating solar system and rank among the largest of its kind in the nation.

The project, developed in partnership with the village of Monroeville and private equity firm Gardner Capital, is being built on the village’s existing reservoir and is expected to come online in early 2026. Once operational, it will supply clean, renewable energy directly into Monroeville’s local distribution grid.

Under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA), the village will buy the electricity from Gardner Capital, which will own the system.

Proven Partnership, Bigger Impact

D3Energy has assembled the same core project team that successfully delivered the 2023 Del-Co Water floating solar project. This includes working once again with Gardner Capital and local contractor ARP Solar, who will handle installation and on-site assembly.

By leveraging Monroeville’s existing reservoir, the project avoids the need for large land parcels often required by traditional solar farms — a move that not only preserves land resources but also delivers environmental advantages, such as:

• Reduced water evaporation from the reservoir
• Improved water quality through shading and temperature regulation
• Minimized habitat disruption compared to land-based installations

“Floating solar projects like this are a win-win,” said a D3Energy spokesperson. “They provide renewable power without competing for farmland or open space, while also supporting environmental stewardship.”

Ohio’s Renewable Energy Milestone

At 6 MW of capacity, the Monroeville floating solar farm is expected to produce enough electricity to power hundreds of homes and offset thousands of tons of carbon emissions each year. The system will also serve as a model for other municipalities considering alternative energy solutions in the Midwest.

Local leaders see the project as part of a long-term commitment to sustainability and economic resilience. “This is an exciting step forward for Monroeville,” said a village official. “We’re making an investment that will deliver clean energy, cost savings, and environmental benefits for decades to come.”

Floating Solar on the Rise in the U.S.

While floating solar technology has been widely adopted in countries like Japan and the Netherlands, it is still gaining momentum in the U.S. Projects like Monroeville’s are helping demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of the approach.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), covering just a fraction of the nation’s man-made reservoirs with solar panels could produce up to 10% of U.S. electricity needs — without displacing agricultural or residential land.

D3Energy’s growing portfolio is evidence of this potential. The company has developed multiple floating solar projects across the country, often working with municipalities, water utilities, and private energy investors.

Looking Ahead

Construction on the Monroeville project has begun with anchor installations — the first step in securing the floating arrays before panel placement. Over the coming months, crews will assemble modular floating platforms, mount the solar panels, and connect them to the grid infrastructure.

When completed in 2026, the project will not only stand as Ohio’s largest floating solar installation but also as a benchmark for renewable energy innovation in the Midwest.

Originally reported by Plamena Tisheva in Renewables Now.