Cohoes Debuts NY’s First Floating Solar Array, Reducing Energy Costs

First Municipal Floating Solar Array in New York Arrives in Cohoes

The future of renewable energy is now floating near the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk rivers. Just 10 minutes away from Albany, the City of Cohoes’s water filtration plant is hosting a floating solar power array. Solar panels float on plastic platforms over the plant’s 10-acre pond, which draws water from the Mohawk river.

Cohoes Mayor Bill Keeler and the Commissioner of Building and Planning Sharon Butler were present to observe the workers completing the installation. The workers, appearing as high-tech farmers in their high-visibility life vests, busied themselves with electrical hookups amidst the rows of bobbing solar panels. These connections will enable the transmission of up to 3.2 megawatts (MW) of DC power to the shore. After conversion to AC power, this energy will be contributed to the electric grid.

Keeler has high hopes for the financial impact of the floating photovoltaic system. He estimates the city will save between $500,000 and $600,000 annually on municipal energy costs. These savings are significant, as they essentially cover the city’s entire electricity bill. Butler mirrors this optimism, pointing out that while non-renewable energy costs continue to rise, the costs of solar power remain fixed.

Floating Solar Arrays: An Emerging Trend in Renewable Energy

While this is a new development for Cohoes, floating solar arrays, also known as floatovoltaics, are not a new concept. The first floatovoltaic system was installed in the United States at a Far Niente Winery in 2008. However, the majority of floatovoltaic installations exist overseas, in countries such as Japan, China, and India. These nations host some of the world’s largest floatovoltaic installations, including a 600 MW facility in India and the world’s largest installation in China.

Despite this global trend, the Cohoes installation is unique as it is the first of its kind in New York State and the first in the U.S. to be owned and operated by a municipality. Floatovoltaics present a novel solution to harnessing solar power, as they eliminate some of the drawbacks associated with land-based solar installations.

Funding and Potential Benefits of Floatovoltaics

The Cohoes project, estimated to cost approximately $7.2 million, received substantial funding from various sources. This includes a $3 million federal grant secured by Congressman Paul Tonko, a strong advocate for the project. Additionally, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will contribute $1 million upon project completion through its NY-Sun program. The US Inflation Reduction Act also provided funding, leaving the City of Cohoes responsible for approximately $1 million. Given the anticipated energy savings, the city expects to recoup this investment within two years of operation.

One significant advantage of floatovoltaics is their minimal use of land resources. As Keeler states, these installations do not occupy valuable farmland. Additionally, the cooling effect of water helps maintain optimal operating temperatures for the panels, increasing their efficiency. Furthermore, the shade provided by the panels helps reduce water evaporation and inhibits algae growth.

Challenges of Floatovoltaics

While presenting several advantages, floatovoltaics also come with a few challenges. For instance, geese seem to find floating panels quite appealing, causing some maintenance issues due to droppings on the panels. However, Keeler and Butler don’t expect this to be a problem at the Cohoes site.

Other concerns include potential changes in water chemistry and temperature, which may increase greenhouse gas emissions from the water surface. However, a Cornell University study found that despite a 27% increase in emissions from covered ponds, these emissions were still lower than those from land-based solar farms.

A Bright Future for Cohoes

The city of Cohoes will soon see its 5,880-panel solar array, covering 75% of the water treatment plant’s reservoir, completed. The array will be tethered to the shore and maintained by crews on boats. Keeler is optimistic about the potential environmental and fiscal benefits of the project. He concludes, “It’s great for the environment and there’s a savings for the municipality. So what’s not to like about it?”