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Airon adjusts installed rows in reservoirs, tilts during the day, and automatically retracts the modules in strong winds
Noria Energy introduced Airon, a system that allows floating solar panels to track the movement of the sun throughout the day. According to the company, the tracking could produce up to 20% more electricity than fixed-tilt installations over water. The first commercial pilot is scheduled for late 2026, while deliveries of the certified version are expected to begin in mid-2027, according to an article published by pv magazine USA on September 11, 2026.
Installed panels over water no longer remain immobile all day
Floating solar energy allows the use of reservoirs, industrial lakes, and other surfaces without occupying large expanses of land. However, most of these installations still utilize fixed structures, keeping the modules in the same position from dawn until dusk.
Airon aims to eliminate this limitation. Its mechanism slowly rotates the rows from east to west, allowing the panels to track the sun’s position and receive light under more favorable conditions for more hours.
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The principle is already seen in large terrestrial solar parks. The difference lies in adapting the tracking for a platform subject to waves, humidity, changes in water level, and constant forces on the anchoring points.
According to Noria, the system could deliver up to 20% more energy over the project’s lifespan, without requiring an increase in nominal power. This means producing more electricity with the same installed amount of modules.
The company also aims to offer the equipment at a cost similar to that of conventional floating structures. However, both the energy gain and price equivalence still need to be confirmed in larger commercial projects operating over extended periods.
The proposal aligns with the renewable energy sector’s search for ways to increase generation without solely relying on the installation of new panels or taking up additional land areas.
Structure maintains balance and protects the modules when wind exceeds 56 kilometers per hour
Airon utilizes floating torque tubes connected to a perimeter structure anchored to the reservoir’s bottom. Passive stabilizers help the rows regain balance, reducing the need for additional mechanisms.
The tracker operates with a standard tilt of up to 20 degrees on each side. Noria also offers a setting capable of reaching 30 degrees, depending on the project’s features.
Each row can accommodate up to four sequential circuits of crystalline modules. A 24-volt direct current motor moves the structure, while individual controllers send information to units responsible for coordinating larger groups.
When winds exceed 35 miles per hour, approximately 56 kilometers per hour, the system automatically positions the panels in a protective stance. This measure reduces pressure on the modules, motors, floats, and anchors.
The company claims to have reduced the number of components and connections to streamline installation. In addition, the design utilizes equipment familiar to solar industry professionals and does not require specialized tools, according to the manufacturer.
This combination could lead to technology for sanitation companies, industries, utilities, communities, and data centers located in areas where available land is expensive or faces other usage disputes.
50 kW Project in Colorado Paved the Way for Commercialization of the New System
Before introducing the Airon, Noria installed a previous tracking technology at the Fairmount reservoir in Golden, Colorado.
Called Aurea Solar, the project has a capacity of 50 kW and uses the AquaPhi system. The electricity produced powers pumps responsible for regulating water distribution within the reservoir itself.
The installation belongs to the Consolidated Mutual Water Company, which serves over 100,000 customers in the Denver metropolitan area. The project also involved GRID Alternatives and Hazelett Marine, which specializes in anchoring solutions.
In addition to generating electricity, partial coverage of the water can help reduce evaporation. However, the effective result depends on climate, temperature, surface area covered, and the characteristics of each reservoir.
The experience in Colorado provided a practical foundation for observing stability, anchoring, and the movement of the modules. The Airon represents the next step, with a design aimed at scalable manufacturing and commercial use.
AccuSolar will participate in the production of the structures, while Sunrock Distributed Generation will support the development and financing of future projects. Noria also states it will utilize a domestic supply chain and regional manufacturing units in the United States.
Despite the launch, the system still faces significant milestones. The first commercial pilot is expected to be operational by the end of 2026, while deliveries to customers are scheduled for mid-2027.
Upcoming tests will need to demonstrate how motors, cables, anchors, and floats withstand years of exposure to water and severe weather events. Maintenance, durability, and actual cost will be decisive factors in transforming the Airon into a competitive infrastructure for large-scale solar projects.
