Considering that California is one of the world leaders in solar power it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the state is behind a new plan to build a massive solar array on top of wastewater ponds. The project, which will be built in California’s Wine Country, will be built across six local wastewater ponds and will provide electricity for 3,000 homes when it comes online next year.
California has long been on the cutting edge of solar power, and now it has what be its most interesting plan yet: a vast solar array floating on top of wastewater ponds. The project will be built in Sonoma County, which you may know better as wine country. Greentech reports that Sonoma Clean Power will build solar panels on docks across six of the local water utility’s wastewater ponds.The 12.5-megawatt installation will provide enough electricity for 3,000 homes when it is expected to come online next year. It will be the biggest floating solar farm in the U.S. Lately, floating solar farms have become a trendy idea around the world. Japan is building an even bigger one. India has a new one, too. Floating the solar panels over water has a dual advantage: The water provides natural cooling for the panels, and the panels prevent water evaporation.