SolarDuck has launched its floating solar solution this April. It was the first test to see whether the photovoltaic-covered three-sided structure, which contains around 3.5 tonnes of fabricated aluminium profiles from Hydro, can become a viable addition to global power generation. SolarDuck CEO Koen Burgers said “What we’ve done is create a unique design that fuses maritime expertise with solar knowledge. Our structure is scalable in design: If you need an extra megawatt, we can do that. Our tilted east-west configuration maximizes the solar energy output. Maintenance is low, cleaning is low – if it rains, it cleans. It can be used offshore and in large lakes and reservoirs. And it is friendly to the ecosystem, with light permeating through the structure. We see our solution as an exciting new alternative in sustainable energy generation offshore.” SolarDuck is constructing four units at Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands for its full-scale pilot. Each unit is placed on floating pillars. In the pilot, the four triangular structures will be flexibly connected somewhat like a jigsaw puzzle, then towed upstream to the project location.
SolarDuck has launched its floating solar solution this April. It was the first test to see whether the photovoltaic-covered three-sided structure, which contains around 3.5 tonnes of fabricated aluminium profiles from Hydro, can become a viable addition to global power generation. SolarDuck CEO Koen Burgers said “What we’ve done is create a unique design that fuses maritime expertise with solar knowledge. Our structure is scalable in design: If you need an extra megawatt, we can do that. Our tilted east-west configuration maximizes the solar energy output. Maintenance is low, cleaning is low – if it rains, it cleans. It can be used offshore and in large lakes and reservoirs. And it is friendly to the ecosystem, with light permeating through the structure. We see our solution as an exciting new alternative in sustainable energy generation offshore.” SolarDuck is constructing four units at Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands for its full-scale pilot. Each unit is placed on floating pillars. In the pilot, the four triangular structures will be flexibly connected somewhat like a jigsaw puzzle, then towed upstream to the project location.
