The 6-step lifecycle of Third Pillar's solar assets

There are three pillars to design and build floating solar assets and three pillars to sustain them through their designed lifetime. We take a customer-centric approach to meet the specific needs of a water body or brownfield site with respect to its existing uses and ecosystem. We partner with the foremost experts in energy and water to deploy the right renewable energy assets for a given site.
Step 1

Design

Third Pillar practices "design-led development" with a recognition that each project we work on will be different. We work closely with the site owners and operators to design a system that meets a given project site's specific requirements.
Step 2

Engineer

There are three major technical workstreams that must be engineered prior to constructing a floating solar system: electrical, structural, and civil. Third Pillar's engineering team takes a rigorous approach to all three, supported by a wide range of domain experts in water and energy.
Step 3

Build

Third Pillar contracts with industry-leading engineering, procurement, and construction firms to construct floating solar systems. The islands are pre-assembled in a Lego-like fashion on a bank of the waterbody and then lowered down a ramp and towed into place.
Step 4

Operate

Third Pillar works with local operations service providers to manage the project's operations and performance, with uptime guarantees and low-touch maintenance via remote monitoring.
Step 5

Maintain

Third Pillar works with maintenance service providers to perform periodic inspections, warranty management, and any part replacements to ensure the performance of the floating solar project.
Step 6

Restore

Third Pillar will be responsible for decommissioning its floating solar systems and restoring the project site to its original condition. Islands are towed to shore, winched out, and disassembled. Panels, floats, and any metal components will be recycled. The process is faster and easier than on land due to the limited disturbance.
Step 1

Design

Third Pillar practices "design-led development" with a recognition that each project we work on will be different. We work closely with the site owners and operators to design a system that meets a given project site's specific requirements.
Step 2

Engineer

There are three major technical workstreams that must be engineered prior to constructing a floating solar system: electrical, structural, and civil. Third Pillar's engineering team takes a rigorous approach to all three, supported by a wide range of domain experts in water and energy.
Step 3

Build

Third Pillar contracts with industry-leading engineering, procurement, and construction firms to construct floating solar systems. The islands are pre-assembled in a Lego-like fashion on a bank of the waterbody and then lowered down a ramp and towed into place.
Step 4

Operate

Third Pillar works with local operations service providers to manage the project's operations and performance, with uptime guarantees and low-touch maintenance via remote monitoring.
Step 5

Maintain

Third Pillar works with maintenance service providers to perform periodic inspections, warranty management, and any part replacements to ensure the performance of the floating solar project.
Step 6

Restore

Third Pillar will be responsible for decommissioning its floating solar systems and restoring the project site to its original condition. Islands are towed to shore, winched out, and disassembled. Panels, floats, and any metal components will be recycled. The process is faster and easier than on land due to the limited disturbance.

How We Work? Dive Deeper

Environmental and technical impacts of floating photovoltaic plants
dive deeper in the third pillar knowledgehub

Talk to us and see if floating solar is an option for you

If you are the owner or operator of a waterbody you can put it to work generating renewable energy and income. Get in touch and we can help you explore the opportunity.
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