by guest author | 10/01/2021
Power generation on the water - a fascinating idea! Floating Solar B.V. from the Netherlands is a pioneering company that sells robust floating solar systems. Managing Director Arnoud Van Druten and his dedicated team have been generating solar power on the water since 2015. A business model that is becoming interesting for more and more potential customers.
The energy transition is in full swing. The Netherlands has stipulated that by 2023, 16 percent of energy production must come from renewable sources. Floating Solar B.V. supports companies and municipalities in their goal of saying goodbye to fossil fuels. Among the first customers were companies that deal with the treatment of water. In principle, a floating solar system is interesting for every company and every municipality that has its own water surface. An extremely exciting project by Floating Solar B.V. is about to be connected to the grid: a 23-megawatt system that can supply around 9,000 families with electricity! The systems are monitored by Floating Solar B.V. with the Solar-Log™ system. After an intensive market analysis, Arnoud Van Druten made a conscious decision in favor of the Solar-Log™ as a high-end product. With this, Solar-Log™ proves that it is prepared for extraordinary challenges.
There are good arguments for PV systems on the water. A system on the water can generate up to 30 percent more energy than conventional solar systems and generate more income at the same time! This quickly puts the approx. 15 percent higher costs compared to conventional roof or open space systems into perspective. The sun's rays can be captured from morning to night by rotating and tilting effects. Floating Solar B.V. holds the patent on Optimal Solar Tracking (OST). “You can compare our facilities to a catamaran,” says Arnoud Van Druten. With this he refers to the extremely stable driving substructure.
Concerns that such a system could change the water temperature and thus harm the environment are unjustified. Due to the open structure of the floating PV plants, heat is dissipated immediately. This means that the water temperature is not affected and there is no negative effect on the ecosystem.
Floating Solar is a joint venture between Sun Projects and Dromec. Both companies are active in the field of renewable energies. Sun Projects is one of the largest suppliers of solar systems in the Netherlands. Dromec is a strong player in the field of wind propulsion technology and coils for the maritime sector.
Special technical and safety-related requirements are placed on solar systems on bodies of water. The insulation of modules and cables, for example, must meet the highest standards, and they must not become defective for many years. The floating energy producers are firmly anchored and flexible enough to turn towards the sun. Also stable enough not to sink or fall over. To maintain the systems, employees sometimes have to get into a boat, or drones are used. There are a number of off-shore solar systems around the world. According to industry estimates, the capacity installed on water is 1200 megawatts. Floating power generation has a great future, especially in countries with heavy use.