Altman Plants 1 MW Floating Solar Array – Giddings, Texas
Altman Plants, the largest commercial nursery in Texas, deployed a groundbreaking floating solar array at its 140-acre horticultural facility in Giddings, Texas [1]. Commissioned in May 2021, this ~1 MW system (the first of its kind in Texas) was installed on the surface of an irrigation reservoir to supply clean energy for the nursery’s operations. Spear Solar Solutions – now a strategic partner of the PowerStack Microgrids – developed and installed the array, delivering a turnkey solution that generates on-site power without consuming arable land. By leveraging the nursery’s existing water reservoir, the project showcases an innovative approach to solar that aligns with Altman Plants’ sustainability goals and space constraints [2].
TECHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Harnessing the Reservoir to Deliver Clean, Reliable Energy
Capacity
985 kW_p DC (~750 kW AC) of floating solar photovoltaic generation
Configuration
2,592 solar panels mounted on Ciel & Terre Hydrelio® floating platforms, covering ~94,145 ft² (about two football fields) of a retention pond
Clean Energy Offset
Enough electricity to power ~93 homes, offsetting ~1,122 tons of CO₂ emissions annually (equivalent to planting over 26,000 trees)
Timeline
Project development through Spear Solar Solutions in 2020, with energization in 2021 (operational as of May 2021)
Grid Interconnection
Connected to Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s network as one of the largest commercial solar installations on the co-op’s grid. Excess generation feeds back to the grid under a buyback agreement, improving the site’s energy economics.
The Altman Plants floating solar project demonstrates significant strategic benefits for both the client and the environment. As the first floating solar array in Texas, it positions Altman Plants as an innovator in sustainable agriculture, making productive use of underutilized water surface while preserving land for cultivation [2]. The array’s design delivers dual benefits: it generates renewable power and protects the water resource below. By shading the reservoir, the solar island reduces evaporation, keeps the water cooler in hot Texas summers, and suppresses algae growth – helping to conserve water for irrigation and improve water quality [1].
Spear Solar Solutions tailored this installation to the nursery’s needs, overcoming unique engineering challenges such as anchoring the array against wind and waves. The system was secured with a robust bank-mounted anchoring solution (34 anchors) and assembled in modular sections for safe deployment on water [2]. Despite higher upfront costs than a land-based PV system, the floating array was made financially attractive through federal incentives and a USDA REAP grant that covered roughly 75% of the cost [2]. Altman Plants is projected to recoup its investment in ~6–7 years [2], all while reducing electricity purchases and shrinking its carbon footprint [2].
Overall, the 1 MW Altman Plants floating solar array serves as a showcase project for renewable energy innovation in the horticultural industry. It highlights how PowerStack Microgrids and its partners deliver customized clean energy solutions that provide economic savings, sustainability benefits, and strategic value for clients with specialized needs. By partnering with a trusted EPC, Altman Plants successfully integrated solar power into its operations without sacrificing productive land – setting a precedent for creative energy infrastructure in agribusiness [2][1].
Sources: Giddings EDC Case Study [1]; Bluebonnet Electric Coop News [2].
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