Golden, Colo. — Construction is officially underway on the nation’s first floating solar tracker project, a groundbreaking initiative that combines clean energy production with water conservation. Noria Energy, a developer and technology provider specializing in floating solar systems, has begun work on Aurea Solar, a 50-kilowatt pilot project at the Fairmount Reservoir in Golden.

The project is designed to provide renewable energy for the Consolidated Mutual Water Company’s (CMWC) local water utility operations while demonstrating the potential of Noria’s AquaPhi floating solar tracker technology. Unlike conventional floating solar systems, which remain fixed in place, AquaPhi allows the floating solar array to rotate and follow the sun throughout the day. This innovation is expected to boost energy output by 10% to 20%, according to the company.

“This pilot project is historic not only for Colorado but for the entire United States,” said Ron Stimmel, CEO of Noria Energy. “We couldn’t be more excited to work with our partners CMWC, GRID Alternatives, and Hazelett to deploy our powerful technology that helps make clean energy more accessible to more customers.”

A New Model for Energy and Water Efficiency

The Golden project marks the first time floating solar tracking technology has been deployed on water in the U.S. By using the existing Fairmount Reservoir, the system maximizes underutilized water infrastructure to create clean power while also reducing evaporation.

“We are excited to embark on the prospects of floating solar as a means to not only produce and conserve energy, but also to improve our water supply by reducing how much is lost to evaporation,” said Jarod Roberts, CMWC’s chief of water resources.

With Colorado and other western states facing increasing challenges from drought, climate change, and population growth, the project is being closely watched by utilities and municipalities as a model for dual-purpose infrastructure.

Partnerships Driving Innovation

Noria Energy is building Aurea Solar in collaboration with GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit focused on expanding clean energy access for underserved communities, and Hazelett Marine, which specializes in mooring systems for floating solar projects. Together, the partners are testing how floating solar trackers can be deployed cost-effectively and scaled up for larger installations.

The 50-kW pilot project is relatively small, but its significance lies in proving AquaPhi’s functionality in real-world conditions. If successful, the technology could be scaled across reservoirs, ponds, and other bodies of water nationwide, helping utilities add renewable energy capacity without taking up valuable land.

Floating Solar: A Growing Global Trend

While floating solar, also called “floatovoltaics,” has gained traction internationally — particularly in countries such as Japan, Singapore, and the Netherlands — the U.S. has been slower to adopt. Until now, most domestic projects used static floating panels that remain fixed on the water’s surface.

Noria’s AquaPhi technology takes the concept a step further by adding tracking capability, which allows the panels to follow the sun’s arc across the sky. Industry experts note that this could make floating solar far more competitive with traditional land-based solar farms by improving efficiency and return on investment.

The project also demonstrates how floating solar installations can serve as climate resilience tools. By shading reservoirs, they reduce water loss through evaporation, a critical benefit in drought-prone regions. They can also help lower algae growth in water supplies, providing a secondary environmental benefit.

Looking Ahead

The Aurea Solar project is scheduled for commissioning in September 2025. Once operational, it will power the pumps that regulate water supply within Fairmount Reservoir. More broadly, Noria Energy and its partners see the project as a springboard for much larger deployments that could help utilities nationwide meet renewable energy targets while addressing water conservation challenges.

“This pilot is about more than one reservoir in Colorado,” Stimmel said. “It’s about rethinking how we use existing infrastructure to deliver the energy and water solutions communities need for a sustainable future.”

Originally reported by Billy Ludt in Solar Power World.