USA's 1.4 MW Floating Solar System at Universal Epic Universe Put into Operation

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 6, U.S. floating solar developer and EPC contractor D3Energy announced that the 1.4 MW floating solar system it built at the Universal Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, was energized earlier this year and is now in operation. The system is one of three on-site solar facilities at the park. The park's solar project has a combined installed capacity of 3.7 MW, with Qcells managing the overall project and D3Energy responsible for the floating solar portion.

The three on-site solar facilities at Universal Epic Universe are expected to generate more than 6.7 million kWh per year. The park is also equipped with a battery energy storage system and electric bus charging facilities, with the floating solar power able to feed into the energy storage system during the day and be used at night to charge electric buses. Universal disclosed that its electric buses can operate for more than 21 hours on a single charge and are mainly used for shuttle transportation within the park.

The floating solar array uses the Hydrelio floating platform system developed by France's Ciel & Terre. D3Energy was responsible for the development and engineering implementation of the floating solar portion. Public information currently does not disclose the number of modules, inverter models, energy storage system capacity, or the individual investment amount for this project.

This project is the second floating solar system D3Energy has implemented at Universal Orlando Resort. The first project between the two parties was completed in 2021 at Universal Orlando Resort, with an installed capacity of 249 kW, equipped with 645 PV modules, and using string inverters and an underwater anchoring system. Both floating solar projects use the Hydrelio platform.

Universal Epic Universe officially opened on May 22, 2025. The park's energy facilities also include solar carports, a battery energy storage system, and supporting charging facilities for electric buses. Together, the three on-site solar systems make up the park's 3.7 MW solar power generation capacity.