SolarDuck, RWE deploy 0.5-MWp offshore floating solar pilot

Dutch-Norwegian company SolarDuck, in partnership with German energy company RWE AG (ETR:RWE), has installed its 0.5-MWp Merganser offshore floating solar pilot project at the North Sea Farmers offshore test site in the Dutch North Sea, it was announced today.

The project, located about 12 kilometres (7.5miles) off the coast of Scheveningen, seeks to test and demonstrate the structural, mooring and electrical designs, as well as gather knowledge about manufacturing, assembly, installation and maintenance techniques. Merganser represents a scalable concept of six interconnected platforms designed to withstand extreme offshore conditions. The platforms have now been connected to the mooring system at a water depth of 20 metres.

Over the next two years, the pilot installation will be monitored remotely with more than 180 sensors.

“Standalone or also in combination with offshore wind farms, offshore floating solar could open up further offshore renewable energy opportunities – especially for countries with lower average wind speeds but lots of sunlight,” said Sven Utermoehlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind.

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