Seychelles to host 5.8 MW of floating PV
French developer Qair will start building a 5.8 MW floating solar array later this year on a lagoon on the East African nation’s main island. It claims the installation will be the world’s largest floating PV project to be built on saltwater upon completion.
Floating PV learning from aquaculture industry
The CEO of Norwegian floating solar company Ocean Sun has spoken to pv magazine about his company’s innovative design for floating PV projects in near-shore locations and semi-sheltered waters. A pilot project built in the Philippines last year, said Børge Bjørneklett, is providing better-than-expected power output.
Fossil fuel giants bet on offshore PV
Norwegian energy producer Equinor and Italian oil contractor Saipem have joined forces to build floating PV projects for near-coastal applications. The two companies plan to use a technology developed by Moss Maritime, a unit of Saipem.
Floating PV arrives in Israel
German contractor Belectric has deployed a 480 kW array on a reservoir near the Mishmar HaEmek kibbutz in northern Israel.
Another 30 MW of floating solar ready to set sail in France
The commune of Châteauneuf-du-Rhône, in the French department of Drôme, has signaled its approval of a floating PV project submitted by the Compagnie Nationale du Rhône which still requires a permit from the planning authorities.
Is thin-film best for offshore PV?
Superior hydrodynamic properties, more robustness in high seas and a much reduced logistics requirement support the case for thin-film over crystalline silicon, pontoon-mounted alternatives, according to an Indo-Italian research group.
Floating PV in the Persian Gulf
Dubai-based Enerwhere has built an 80 kW floating array at a resort island in Abu Dhabi. The installation features bespoke modules from GCL and Sungrow inverters. The developer told pv magazine the business case was based on the fact the cost of diesel generator operation in such locations can run to $0.25/kWh.
Brazilian hydropower dam to host 30 MW of floating solar
Tractebel will develop the basic design of three floating PV projects at the 52.2 MW Batalha hydropower project, which is owned by Brazilian state-run power company Eletrobras Furnas.
Construction begins on 27 MW Netherlands floating solar plant
German renewables company Baywa r.e. has started work on its fourth utility scale floating PV project in the water-rich country.
German coal mines could host 3 GW of floating PV
Research institute the Fraunhofer ISE has estimated the technical potential of floating PV at mining sites in Germany at around 56 GW. With floating projects 10-15% more costly than land-based alternatives, researchers have called for further incentives, such as the staging of ‘innovation tenders’.
