A field of solar panels floating atop a wastewater pond in South Australia is being hailed as an environmental breakthrough that could even prove a hit with tourists.

The plant, hailed as the first of its type in Australia, has been built at a wastewater treatment facility at Jamestown in the state's mid north.

Sydney-based Infratech Industries developed new solar technology for the site, at a cost of $12 million.

Company director Felicia Whiting said the water cools the panels, making them more efficient.

"Solar panels don't really operate when they're at a high temperature, so we get a longevity of the panels and also the solar rafts can shade the water," she said.

"We actually get a cooling of the water which is beneficial for water treatment.

"We can get about 57 per cent more efficiency than a land-based solar system."

Ms Whiting said the plant also boosted water conservation by preventing evaporation and cutting blue-green algae outbreaks.

"This floating solar has a dual benefit of being able to prevent water evaporation and that translates into water savings," she said.

"For a one megawatt plant, that's about 70,000 kilolitres a year. That's a big saving and it's also a revenue for any host water utility to save that water and on-sell it."

The project sourced 90 per cent of its materials within South Australia.

Council hopes operation will attract tourists

The plant has already attracted international interest, with representatives from Indonesia and France attending today's opening.

A spokeswoman for the French Consulate, Charlotte Hy, said France would take a close look at the floating plant.

"The French Government is always interested in looking at innovative technology and this one is definitely one of those," she said.

Sydney-based Infratech Industries developed new solar technology for the Jamestown site. ( ABC News: Mike Sexton )

"I'm definitely here to have a look at how it works, and [on] a fact-finding mission to ... see if it could be applicable in that form or any other forms back in France."

Northern Areas Council chief executive Colin Byles said he believed the plant could become a tourist attraction.

"Firstly, it's about the reduction of power we were after to cut our power bills for the re-used water, but also what it does is promote Jamestown as a very innovative and creative type council area," he said.

"People are interested in what all this is about.

"We're actually looking at running tours through the place."

Ms Whiting said the company also planned to expand the technology to another pond in the treatment plant.

"It will be configured as a fixed system, like a lid, a cover, and so we'll be preventing water evaporation," she said.