Last week, Solar@Sea launched the first practical test for an offshore solar system. A floating, functional thin-film solar system was launched in the Marinehaven in Den Helder. This test system will be used over the next year to analyse the impact of algae growth, pollution, salt deposition and weather influences. Solar@Sea is a TKI project in which Solliance Solar Research cooperates with Endures, Sunrayflex, Marin, Royal Philips and Avans.
"As this is one of the first floating thin-film PV systems, it is still difficult to say which factors are critical where the lifetime of floating systems is concerned." said Dr Wim Soppe, project leader Solar@Sea and working at Solliance Solar Research. "From this first long-term practical trial, we hope to develop the knowledge needed to build robust offshore systems in the future."
The trial will last for a year. During that year, the system will be taken out of the water several times to be tested and measured through at ECN part of TNO in Petten. In this way, the influence of seawater on the lifespan and efficiency will be studied by Solliance Solar Research. Endures and Philips are studying corrosion and fouling of algae and other marine life. Philips is investigating whether a new, non-toxin-based antifouling method can adequately protect the floating solar system from fouling.
Source + photo: TNO
