An ocean-covering solar panel island project is about to start. This project is based on putting a series of rafts full of solar panels on the sea and the truth is intriguing and interesting, as it would mean knowing the effectiveness of the materials in a very different space to the roof of a house, in addition to storing energy from the sea.
A Norwegian and Dutch startup called SolarDuck are developing huge solar panels that can glide over the waves of the North Sea just like a carpet. In a pilot project, the photovoltaic panels will be used to generate clean energy from the ocean in the millions of square kilometers we have on this planet.
The Nordic countries are searching for and researching eco-friendly alternatives that will enable the European population to make an energy transition to improve the climate change situation and reduce carbon emissions on the planet.
First floating solar park in the Nordic Sea
This floating solar park will have the name Merganser and will be installed in Belgian waters, with a maximum generating capacity of 500 kW. This ambitious and innovative project is being financed by German energy giant RWE, which expects to commercialize the technology from 2023 if the power generation plan is successful.
SolarDuck and RWE would gain valuable first-hand experience in one of the world’s most challenging marine environments, according to the company.
SolarDuck’s innovation opens up new possibilities for solar power, even in the abrasive conditions of the North Sea. The Dutch HKW VII (system integration) contract has been awarded to SolarDuck as a result, according to a press release from RWE. A 0.5 MW installation will be developed by one of Germany’s largest utilities, RWE, as part of its plans to explore and develop offshore floating solar farms worldwide.
Before expanding and applying this new technology elsewhere in the world, this project will evaluate the effectiveness of solar battery storage.
This will give us a chance to demonstrate SolarDuck’s technology under the rough conditions of the North Sea and how to work its universal applicability. RWE is a strong partner that shares the vision of electrifying the world with floating offshore PV. Both companies have an alliance that is committed to pursuing the utility of solar energy as a source of electricity generation and the challenge of doing so at sea will prove not only the quality of both companies but how good it is to use solar energy in a way that does not harm the planet.
Triangular-shaped solar panels platforms
These companies are not the first to investigate the combination of solar and wind power for electricity generation. The Hollandse Kust wind farm, will be built in the North Sea, and the creators are also considering using a floating solar technology farm.
Eneco and Shell created CrossWind to develop Hollandse Kust, a project that can provide energy of this type. They hope to deploy the floating solar panels between the wind turbines in the offshore wind farm to be developed, Hollandse Kust West.
Floating solar systems has been successfully deployed inland and near shore, but panels deployed offshore must be able to withstand harsher conditions. This includes high winds, strong waves and corrosion from seawater.
The company in charge of the project has developed a triangular-shaped solar panel platform designed to float several meters above the roughest waters. This allows it to keep its electrical components dry, clean and stable and the semi-submersible structure safe.
The design got the world’s first certification for offshore floating solar power from French certification body Bureau Veritas. The need for safe, sustainable and affordable energy demands new and immediate responses from the industry in Europe and also globally.
Floating solar panels have great benefits:
- These panels can stay cooler and work more efficiently close to water.
- They help prevent water evaporation.
- They can help minimize unwanted algae blooms by shading the water.
- Many reservoirs are also located near cities, making it easier to supply power to the urban grid than to supply it from remote solar farms in deserts.
Covering 10 percent of the world’s hydropower reservoirs with floating solar panels could produce 4,000 gigawatts of power generation capacity, equivalent to the electricity generation capacity of all operating fossil fuel plants worldwide.
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