Scottish tidal energy company Nova Innovation has commissioned a 400 kW floating solar PV project at Bathgate Silica Sand’s North Arclid quarry in Cheshire, England.
The floating solar array consists of 650 PV modules installed on North Arclid Lake and is designed to directly supply electricity to the quarry’s operations, reducing energy costs and emissions.
Nova delivered the project under an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract awarded in December, with first power delivered in May. The project was developed in collaboration with engineering firm RSK.
“The array is already reducing our customers’ energy bills. It clearly demonstrates what floating solar can offer to businesses with access to water bodies. We are excited about what this project signals, both for our pipeline and the role that floating solar will play in Britain in reaching the 2035 target,” said Simon Forrest, CEO of Nova.
The installation adds to a growing number of floating solar projects in Britain, where the technology is deployed on lakes, reservoirs and other water bodies to generate sustainable electricity without using operational land.
“This is an important moment for our business and shows that quarries play a key role in creating a more sustainable future. Many thanks to Nova for delivering on time and managing every aspect of the work, allowing us to focus on our core day-to-day operations,” said David Robinson, Managing Director of Bathgate Silica Sand.
In December 2025, the company announced plans for the 400 kW floating solar panels, consisting of 450 modules, at North Arclid Laketo be supplied via the AquaGen365 joint venture with engineering firm RSK.
The project comes as the The UK government is aiming for 70 GW of installed solar capacity by 2035identifying floating solar as a potential contributor to future capacity growth.
