Europe’s largest floating solar farm powers up
The size of eight football pitches, the solar array will power a water treatment plant on the outskirts of London.
On the Queen Elizabeth II reservoir near Heathrow airport, the solar panel array has been built to supply energy to a Thames Water treatment plant fed by the reservoir.
With a surface area of 57,000 m2 the solar array covers less than 10% of the reservoir.
Built from 23,046 solar panel modules, the array is expected to generate 5.8 million kilowatt hours in its first year, enough to power 1,800 homes.
Nick Boyle, CEO of Lightsource, the company which has built the array said that although constructing the array on water added to the logistical challenge of the project there were benefits as well “ The solar panels work optimally at low temperatures as does the wiring and the water acts to cool them, increasing their efficiency.”
The solar array will not connect to the National Grid but after testing is complete it will be attached to the private electrical grid at the water plant where it is expected to provide 20% of the plant’s electricity needs.
News
22 Oct, 2025
Lightsource bp supports Apple’s renewable energy projects progress across Europe
Lightsource bp is proud to partner with Apple Inc. in support of its goal to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire footprint by the end of this decade.
21 Oct, 2025
Environmental safety in action: living our Golden Rules
At Lightsource bp, our Golden Rules are daily practices that protect our people and ensure business continuity, especially in the face of climate extremes.
17 Oct, 2025
USA: Lightsource bp and Pinnacle Financial Partners announce $97.9M tax equity deal for Peacock Solar
Lightsource bp and Pinnacle Financial Partners today announced the closing of a $97.9 million tax equity deal to finance the 187 MW Peacock Solar in San Patricio County, TX.
18 Sep, 2025
Australia: Lightsource bp advances its first solar and storage hybrid project
Lightsource bp has commenced delivery on one of the first large-scale DC-coupled solar-battery hybrid projects in Australia.
15 Aug, 2025
Resetting and recharging – what we did for Wellbeing Day
As part of our promotion of a healthy work-life balance, this year we once again rewarded our team members with an extra day of annual leave to focus on their wellbeing.
31 Jul, 2025
USA: Lightsource bp named the US’s top solar developer
Lightsource bp, a global leader in renewable energy development, has been named the United States’ #1 solar developer by Solar Power World.
14 Jul, 2025
Inspiring future energy leaders: ESCP students explore Manor Farm Eggington
Students from ESCP Business School’s London Campus were invited by Lightsource bp to an exclusive visit to the Manor Farm Eggington in Leighton Buzzard.
10 Jul, 2025
Lightsource bp championing sustainable agriculture at AgriVoltaics World Conference 2025
Lightsource bp was proud to be the Gold Sponsor at the AgriVoltaics World Conference 2025 in Freiburg, Germany.
26 Jun, 2025
Lightsource bp signs first PPA in Taiwan with Star Trade for pilot fishery solar project
Lightsource bp has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Star Trade for its Budai solar project in Taiwan.
10 Jun, 2025
Lightsource bp secures financing on its first project in Taiwan and its pilot fishery solar project globally
Lightsource bp, a leading developer and manager of global onshore renewable energy projects, has secured financing for its 115MWp fishery solar project in Taiwan.