Oregon’s First Floating Solar Array Installs 1,700 Panels on Reservoir

TL;DR: Oregon’s first floating solar installation places over 1,700 panels on a Central Point reservoir, projecting $75,000 in annual revenue for the Medford Irrigation District while allocating a portion to low‑income households.

On a sunny morning in Central Point, workers secured more than 1,700 photovoltaic modules onto floating platforms anchored in a re‑regulating reservoir. The array covers roughly two acres of water surface.

The reservoir stores surplus canal flows and releases them during dry periods, helping the district manage irrigation supplies. By floating the panels, the district aims to cut evaporation losses that typically rise in summer heat. Officials say the project also creates a new income stream to fund long‑planned upgrades, such as converting open canals to sealed pipes.

The district forecasts about $75,000 per year from selling the solar electricity to the grid. Revenue will be metered through the state’s net‑metering credits and sold to the local utility.

Ten percent of that output will be directed to low‑income households through the Oregon Community Solar Program, which subsidizes utility bills for qualifying residents. This allocation is expected to benefit several dozen families in the Medford area.

Researchers at Oregon State University estimate that placing similar floating solar on every federally owned reservoir nationwide could power roughly 100 million homes. They caution that ecological impacts, such as changes to aquatic habitats, vary by site and require further study.

Beyond revenue, the panels shade the water, lowering temperature and reducing evaporation during hot summer months. Cooler water also hinders the growth of aquatic moss that can clog irrigation canals, offering the district a tool to extend its aging infrastructure’s lifespan.

The Medford Irrigation District plans to reinvest the solar proceeds into a slate of modernization projects, including converting miles of open ditches to enclosed piping. These upgrades aim to reduce seepage and improve water delivery efficiency.

The project will serve as a pilot for other irrigation districts evaluating whether floating solar fits their water management and financial goals. Early data from the array will be shared with state agencies and agricultural groups.

Watch for upcoming feasibility studies from neighboring districts and any state‑level incentives that could accelerate similar installations.