Seavolt, a partnership between Tractebel, DEME and Jan De Nul, is getting ready to install a first floating test platform with solar panels at sea. The platform is currently still in the port of Ostend, but will be anchored in the sea in August.
The installation will collect data on the impact of waves, rain and salt spray on the eight solar panels. “It is not the intention to work on a large scale right now. We mainly want to test”, says Seavolt. “The purpose of the test is to determine what level of protection is required to protect the solar panels against seawater and bird droppings.”
In the meantime, ecological and economic research continues. SeaVolt is also preparing for a large-scale demonstration project at an offshore wind farm. For example, the potential of floating solar panels in an offshore wind farm will be examined. “If all goes well, large-scale offshore solar power is expected to become a reality.”
In addition to the technical tests, the test installation will also take into account the ecological aspects. It is examined whether the different materials have any negative effects on the marine environment. The test results will determine the choice of materials for the further development of the platform. It is also being examined whether mussel growth and oyster farming can be combined with the platform.
The federal government provides 2 million euros for the project. “In a second phase, we will issue a large public contract to see what can be developed on a large scale. It is therefore the intention that this product will also be exported to other countries, among other things,” says Minister of the North Sea Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open VLD). “It is estimated that the first real solar panels at sea will be there by 2025-2026. And when the Princess Elizabeth zone is opened, solar panels will also be installed there.”
“Solar energy in the North Sea has the potential to become as important for green power generation as our wind farms. In order to accelerate the development of offshore solar energy, we are investing through the recovery plan in technology and know-how among Belgian players,” adds State Secretary for Recovery Thomas Dermine (PS). “We are focusing on three crucial challenges at the same time: the fight against climate change, greater independence from energy imports and the development of technological expertise in Belgium that will create new jobs and exports.”
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