The case for solar at sea

While North-western Europe can rely heavily on offshore wind for green energy, this method isn’t suitable everywhere. In fact, huge swathes of the world live in altogether different environments, particularly coastal regions that are sun-rich, wind-scarce, and densely packed.

Solar, then, is the obvious choice. Yet things aren’t quite that simple.

In these aforementioned areas (such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Jakarta) there simply isn’t enough land for large-scale solar fields. What they do have though is large amounts of water.

For accelerating the global energy transition, this opens up a fascinating opportunity: moving solar power to sea.

This is what SolarDuck proposes — and it believes it has developed the technology that can enable this shift.

Their elevated and floating structures hold the solar array well above ocean waves. The energy they generate can then either be fed back into the grid on land, helping power coastal areas and beyond, or operate as energy sources for offshore systems.

Beyond this, the design of SolarDuck’s platforms also has longevity in mind. Built to last for decades, they can deal with the harsh environment of the ocean and deliver a strong return on investment. Plus, the fact they’re built from standard parts means there’s a strong possibility to scale.

To find out more about this fresh development, watch our video below: