Offshore solar technology is constantly evolving, with the aim of making better use of ever-increasing spaces.
The Belgian experts of Jan De Nul, Tractebel e DEME, together with the University of Ghent, have developed a new concept of a floating solar panel that could be positioned in combination with wind farms and also withstand extreme marine conditions.
Seavolt, the sun far far away
Most applications for offshore solar energy installations are located near the coast, in water basins, even on the snow. Seavolt is more like floating offshore wind turbines, raised above the surface like an oil platform.
The solid "legs" with which the system is equipped make it truly resistant. At least that's what the installers say.
Check out the video for yourself:
Ever-larger slices of the "energy pie" from offshore solar energy
After initial research into the effects on the marine ecosystem, experts are developing an offshore solar trial installation that will be launched off the Belgian coast in the summer of 2023. The 5 MW Seavolt “demonstration” plant will be a solution integrated system which also includes energy storage systems.
Philippe Van Troeye, CEO of Tractebel, is certain: “Together with offshore green fuel production, offshore energy islands, interconnectors and potential energy storage solutions, we believe floating offshore solar will have an important role to play in accelerating of the energy transition".
“Seavolt is a reliable, convenient and environmentally friendly solution,” it echoes him Philippe Hutse, by Jan De Nul.” “As the offshore wind industry continues to grow, we believe offshore solar also has the potential to play a crucial role in optimizing the use of offshore space by complementing wind farms.”
In other words: with solutions like these, solar energy will run like the wind.
