Nova Southeastern University Powering Student Housing with Floating Solar

Construction is under way on a 700-kW floating solar energy system to power student housing on the Nova Southeastern University campus in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

D3Energy is developing the project, which involves about two acres of waterway and includes plans for 1,200 floating solar modules secured by an anchoring system designed to withstand hurricane-force winds. It will utilize Ciel & Terre's Hydrelio floating platform.

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a private research campus with close to 20,000 students.

"This installation at NSU demonstrates how floating solar can deliver real benefits for institutions that may not have the land or rooftop space for large-scale solar," said Stetson Tchividjian, managing director of D3Energy, in a statement.

Once completed by the end of this year, the D3Energy floating solar project could account for a large share of electricity demand at NSU’s new Mako Hall housing complex.

D3Energy specializes in floating solar systems and has completed work for customers including utilities, municipalities and private enterprises. Among those are the city of Orlando, Florida Power and Light, the U.S. Army, Comcast, Orlando International Airport, Cox Automotive and Duke Energy.

Duke Energy Florida will be the host utility when the 2026 Microgrid Knowledge Conference is held May 4-6 at the Renaissance Seaworld in Orlando. The MGK Conference Call for Sessions is now open.