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A Dutch company has developed a solar mat installed on the high seas. The equipment offers several benefits and technologies that avoid constant maintenance.
A Dutch company called Solar Duck, has developed a solar mat to generate renewable energy on the high seas. A possibility that still faces several challenges, despite being very costly. Generally, floating solar power plants are combined with other modes of energy production and this is the case of the Dutch company that will test its system on the coast of Belgium and also integrated between wind turbines in the Netherlands, in both cases in the North Sea .
Offshore solar mat design can contribute to its easy installation and maintenance of components
develop a offshore solar power plant that can withstand severe weather conditions, is resistant to high winds and water, requires little maintenance and is durable in a corrosive environment is almost impossible.
With that in mind, SolarDuck's intention is to develop a solar power plant in a triangular design, designed to float several meters above the water.
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In this way, the mat with solar panels sways with the waves much like a buoy, this feature should help your installation and keep critical electrical components dry, stable and clean.
Offshore solar mat receives Bureau Veritas certification
According to the CEO of SolarDuck, Koen Burgers, the demand for clean, sustainable and affordable energy requires new and immediate responses from the industry in Europe and also globally. The company wants to get that answer by generating solar energy for its next frontier: the oceans.
Showcasing the technology robustly in the harsh conditions of the North Sea will allow the company to deploy the technology virtually anywhere in the world.
The model won the world's first certification for offshore solar energy from the Bureau Veritas organization. The aquatic environment, although it brings great challenges, also offers several advantages. Being a way to optimize the water space for energy generation, saving the use of land.
Solar energy panels contribute to evaporative water loss
In addition to these benefits, the 'solar mat' panels also contribute to the reduction of water loss by evaporation, especially when installed in dams hydroelectric plants. Other advantages of installing solar panels on the surface of the sea is the fact that it reduces the heat of the photovoltaic panels, making them more efficient and helping to contain the proliferation of algae.
The solar carpet installation on the coast of Ostend, Belgium, should be able to generate 0,5 MWh at peak production. It will be the company's first offshore pilot.
After the experience at sea, the developer hopes to achieve lessons learned that will make it possible to sell the technology faster starting next year.
