Solar is by far the cheapest method of generating renewable energy. So, most of the countries around the world are taking advantage of solar power. But some countries are struggling due to a lack of space like Singapore, Hongkong, where land prices are very high.
Now a Dutch renewable energy start-up called ‘SolarDuck’ has designed floating solar energy platforms for the Cities and islands that need solar power but lack land.
SolarDuck developed a triangular structure for floating PV that resembles an offshore oil platform. Solar panels are kept more than 3 meters above the water level to handle waves. The distance from the water surface ensures that the PV modules and other components stay dry.
Image courtesy: SolarDuck
Each triangular floating platform measure 16 x 16 x 16 meters. Multiple platforms can be flexibly connected to form large solar power plants.
The platform, dubbed the “demonstrator”, was recently towed upstream in the Netherlands for a test and it passed with flying colors. The project will have 65 kW of power-generating capacity.
However, SolarDuck aims for 10-MW plants. CTO Don Hoogendoorn of SolarDuck, said, “We want to go for 10-MW plants — about 240 m by 240 m (roughly 790 ft by 790 ft), which is roughly 10 by 10 platforms,”
“Basically, that’s approximately 100 platforms connected together.”
