Greater efficiency with less structural alteration. That is the premise behind Fusio, the brand-new floating solar energy solution developed by the French firm Ciel & Terre, which capitalizes on over 15 years of experience in the sector and transforms it into a modular, compact, and adaptable proposal, inspired by natural geometry and advanced engineering.
Since the launch of its Hydrelio system, the company has demonstrated that installing solar panels on bodies of water is not only feasible but also highly profitable. Fusio represents a clear evolution: more robust, more flexible, and more efficient.
Triangular design, natural ventilation, and optimized performance
The structure of Fusio is based on hexagonal and triangular shapes, similar to those of honeycombs, and on architectural principles found in bridges and pyramids. This configuration improves mechanical stability, better distributes loads, and offers greater resistance to wind and waves.
Furthermore, it raises the photovoltaic modules, allowing for more effective passive ventilation. According to initial tests carried out with the CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission), this improvement can increase energy efficiency by up to 2% in warm areas. In large-scale plants, that difference can be decisive.
Floating solar energy with a new design.
Fusio is compatible with standard panels of up to 800 Wp and offers two tilt angles: 5 or 12 degrees, adapting to solar conditions and aquatic environments. Its modular design allows for installation in rural reservoirs, industrial lakes, or urban ponds, without the need for large land surfaces.
Reduced ecological footprint, quick installation, and safe maintenance
The system reduces the surface area occupied by the floats, which decreases logistical and assembly costs, and minimizes the impact on aquatic ecosystems. Every unused square meter is space gained for local biodiversity or for other water uses.
Assembly has been simplified to the maximum: it can be deployed with small teams, reducing construction times and avoiding prolonged interruptions. One of the most outstanding innovations is its floating maintenance system, inspired by the navigation of catamarans, which allows movement around the plant without stepping on the panels. This improves operational safety and facilitates access to inverters, connections, and integrated cleaning systems.
The floats are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) stabilized against UV radiation, the same material used in drinking water tanks, ensuring chemical resistance and durability of up to 30 years, even in extreme conditions.
Pilot projects and international expansion
The first Fusio pilot, of 100 kWp, was completed in India in 2022. Currently, a 4.3 MWp plant is being built in the same country, with completion expected in the third quarter of 2025.
In Europe, Ciel & Terre is progressing with an installation in Belgium, supported by the European Commission’s Innovation Fund, as part of a strategy to expand renewable generation on water surfaces, especially in densely populated regions or areas with limited available land.
Floating solar energy: key advantages in times of climate crisis
Solutions like Fusio offer environmental, social, and economic benefits:
- Preserve agricultural land by not requiring land surfaces
- Reduce evaporation in bodies of water and limit algae proliferation
- Increase yield per square meter thanks to natural cooling
- Utilize existing infrastructure such as dams, quarries, or reservoirs
- Promote energy self-consumption in rural or industrial areas without access to electrical grids
With clear regulations and institutional support, technologies like Fusio can become key tools to achieve climate goals, without compromising other essential resources. A solar energy that floats, but with feet firmly on the ground.
