Apollo Energy Completes Installation of Utah’s First Floating Solar System
Apollo Energy recently completed the installation of the first floating solar system in Utah. The 589.7-KW project will provide renewable energy to the Signal Hill Water Treatment Plant, which provides drinking water to the Snyderville Basin. The energy from the newly completed solar array will offset 92% of the facility’s grid energy consumption.
The primary benefit of putting solar on water is the preservation of land. Solar uses a lot of space and land in the area is scarce. Other benefits include efficiency due to regulated temperatures, reduction of unwanted algae blooms, and reduced evaporation. This project was done in partnership with Mountain Regional Water, renewable energy developer Ameresco, and floating solar developer D3Energy.
Apollo Energy was chosen to install the project and manage on-site construction.
The video highlights Apollo Energy's craftsmanship, innovation, and the care taken in executing this pioneering project.
Here are the key points of the video -
1. Introduction:
The project is the first floating solar system in Utah, with a capacity exceeding half a megawatt of solar energy. The video provides a walkthrough of the system, highlighting the three inverters and panel boards for grid interconnection.
2. Project Overview:
The solar array is constructed in sections due to the pond's contour, with a total of five sections. Four of them have been completed by the time of filming. The construction involves assembling rows of panels, each mounted on individual floats to accommodate movement from wind and water.
3. Anchoring System:
The system is anchored using concrete blocks around the pond's perimeter. Engineered structural points on the floats are secured with chains, cables, and polyester ropes to allow for limited movement while ensuring stability during high winds.
4. Completion and Interconnection:
Once the array is finished, additional concrete blocks will be installed, and the rest of the array will be anchored. The video discusses the interconnection process, where DC cabling from the panels is routed to combiner boxes and inverters, and then trenched to connect to the grid.
5. Team and Company Values:
David Tsytsyn, Apollo Energy’s Chief of Operations, speaks about the team's dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to quality. The video emphasizes the company’s innovative nature and ability to take on complex projects while ensuring customer satisfaction and long-term energy production.
Links to other Articles about this project:
PV Magazine: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/09/27/utahs-first-floating-solar-project-is-complete/
Electrek: https://electrek.co/2024/10/02/utahs-first-floating-solar-farm-is-complete-video/