SeaVolt to launch “first of a kind” offshore floating solar demonstrator

The Belgian-based SeaVolt consortium has announced plans to launch its first offshore floating solar energy test platform designed specifically for rough seas.

SeaVolt – a collaboration between Belgium companies Tractebel, DEME, and Jan De Nul – has developed an offshore floating solar concept specifically tailored to survive in rough seas. The floating solar concept was also designed to be modular, making it highly suitable to be paired with offshore wind farms.

The test platform is set to be towed out into the Belgian North Sea where it will be put into operation to gather data for at least a year, starting in August.

Specifically, the demonstrator platform will be used to gather data on the impact of waves, rain, and salt sprays on various solar panels with different solar PV panel configurations. Testing will also determine the impact of varying inclinations caused by waves and wind on the energy output.

In addition to the technical tests, SeaVolt is also using the demonstrator platform to investigate the potential environmental impact. Various materials will be evaluated in an effort to minimise the impact on the marine environment, tests which will determine the selection of materials for further development.

“While we are convinced that offshore solar has an important role to play in the accelerated energy transition, technological development is often seen as a bottleneck for unlocking the full potential of this exciting market,” said Philippe Van Troeye, CEO Tractebel.

“With SeaVolt, and more specifically with this cutting-edge test nearing completion, we’ll be able to observe how such an installation behaves under real-life conditions, providing us with the necessary knowledge to mature and mitigate risks for future developments.”

When the SeaVolt demonstrator begins operations, it will mark the first installation in the Belgian North Sea aimed at the large-scale development of offshore solar energy.

The potential for offshore solar in the North Sea has already garnered the attention of neighbouring countries, including the Netherlands which has announced plans to develop 3GW of offshore solar energy by 2030.