Floating solar pilot project near Canary Islands to face up to 10m-high waves

• European Union financing has actually been protected for a floating solar pilot project in Spain to check out exactly how the technology does in testing sea problems.

A consortium consisting of Ocean Sun and also Fred Olsen Renewables will certainly develop the 250kWp floating PV system off the shore of Gran Canaria, which the companions state is the sunniest part of Europe.

Ocean Sun's technology is based on a slim polymer membrane layer that is used to mount PV modules. With waves of approximately 10 metres and high winds, the pilot project is an outstanding chance to explore the outer limitations of the floating technology, Ocean Sun stated.

Adhering to the installation, all facets of the system will be evaluated and also a prepare for additional commercialisation and also massive deployments will be established. The project will certainly additionally offer to accredit Ocean Sun's floating solar modern technology for overseas applications in non-sheltered places.

The pilot has a duration of 30 months as well as a EUR4 million spending plan, which has been offered under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and technology program. Various other companions in the consortium include engineering firm Innosea, the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands as well as the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands.

Rolf Benjamin Johansen, director of floating solar at Fred Olsen Renewables, said the plant will certainly provide the firm "useful insights" for future commercial overseas and also nearshore floating parks. The renewables programmer last year authorized a floating PV research agreement with the Solar Energy Institute of Singapore and also is currently checking out sites for industrial projects.

The possibility for creating offshore floating solar projects in tough climate condition will likewise be discovered via a pilot project in Norway announced recently by Equinor. Set to be mounted later on this year, the plant will sit 3 metres above the sea surface area as well as supply electricity to the power grid on the island of Frøya.