Floating solar panels

Texel4Trading/SolarFloat (Netherlands), SolarisFloat (Portugal), and Isifloating by Isigenere (Spain) have built three floating solar systems of 50 kWp each. We are testing these for one year for electrical performance, mechanical dynamic stability, and ecological effects.

Among other things, the results are important for innovative companies in our country to further improve their solar energy products. Water boards, municipalities, provinces, knowledge institutions, and nature organisations are also interested in the research results, which will help them envision future applications of floating solar power systems.

The Fieldlab located on the shores of the Oostvoornse Meer offers space for a variety of research projects on floating solar energy systems. Among other things, a research cabin with measurement systems and a reference field were installed on land. Slightly off the shore is a floating jetty with the three test fields of solar panels.

Key research topics include the robustness of the floating systems in wave action and high winds, energy output, and the effects on underwater life and biodiversity. Maritime research institute MARIN is researching the aspects of mechanical dynamics and HZ University of Applied Sciences is responsible for the ecological aspects.

The research facility represents an important step in the roadmap drawn up by the National Consortium Solar on Water. The research is made possible in part by TNO and the Energy & Climate Innovation Programme, an initiative of the Rotterdam-The Hague Metropolitan Area, InnovationQuarter, and the Province of South Holland.

The first floating pontoons from the Oceans of Energy company have now endured storms and high waves at a test site off the coast of Zeeland. A first step in demonstrating that offshore solar farms continue to function under severe weather conditions.

Within this project, we are researching the design options and yields of the solar energy system. Maritime research institute MARIN is conducting research into robustness in high waves, initially using scale models in a test basin.

Oceans of Energy will also build 1 megawatt (MW) of offshore solar off the coast of Scheveningen. We'll be researching the suitability of solar panels for offshore use, and are investigating integration at wind farms.

Together with other parties, we are researching a concept based on a flexible structure within the [email protected] project. The basic idea here is to make the structure move optimally with the waves and to apply flexible solar panels. In this way, we hope to arrive at an alternative solution that can withstand the forces of nature and achieves a high yield. Initial trials of this concept on inland waters were promising.

The CrossWind consortium, a joint venture of Shell in the Netherlands and Eneco, will build the new offshore wind farm Hollandse Kust (Noord). Together with CrossWind, we are working on research and a demonstration of solar energy at sea at this new offshore wind farm. The Hollandse Kust (Noord) offshore wind farm is expected to be operational in 2023. The offshore solar demonstration at this site will be 0.5 MWp in size and is planned for 2025.