Wastewater Treatment Facility

HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA

Healdsburg

How Healdsburg Met Renewable Goals with Floating Solar

In January 2021, we successfully completed a 4.78-megawatt floating solar installation for the City of Healdsburg, located in Sonoma County, California. This innovative project was designed to address the city’s growing demand for sustainable energy while maximizing the use of existing water infrastructure.

The floating solar system now supplies approximately 8% of Healdsburg’s total electricity needs, significantly advancing the city’s renewable energy goals. Beyond the clean energy benefits, the installation also delivers important environmental co-benefits. By covering a portion of the water surface, the system helps suppress the growth of harmful algae blooms, which can compromise water quality and ecosystem health. Additionally, the reduced sunlight penetration and evaporation contribute to improved efficiency in the city’s recycled water operations.

The enhanced quality of recycled water directly supports the region’s agricultural industry—particularly local vineyards and farms—by providing a more reliable and sustainable source of irrigation. This project reflects the City of Healdsburg’s commitment to environmental stewardship and serves as a model for how floating solar can simultaneously address energy, water, and agricultural needs.

Cleaner
water

The floating solar system reduces harmful algae blooms in the cities water supply.

Creates
electricity

The floating solar system supplies ~8% of Healdsburg’s total electricity needs.

Improved water quality

The recycled water that is used by local vineyards and farms is improved.

Turning Constraints into Innovation

Challenge: The City of Healdsburg is surrounded by valuable vineyards and had 
limited space to meet their renewable energy goals.

Solution: Noria utilized existing reservoirs and interconnected to on-site electrical infrastructure.

Challenge: The City needed Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to meet its Renewable Portfolio Standard.

Solution: Noria utilized existing reservoirs and interconnected to on-site electrical infrastructure.

Challenge: Their ponds experienced consistent algae blooms and drought conditions which posed water-security concerns for the facility and community.

Solution: Noria utilized existing reservoirs and interconnected to on-site electrical infrastructure.

Challenge: The water treatment plant required annual inspections and pond-liner dredging.

Solution: Noria utilized existing reservoirs and interconnected to on-site electrical infrastructure.

Ready to Make an Impact? Connect with Noria today.

Discover how we can support your clean energy goals.