Jan De Nul and DEME test floating solar panels off Belgian coast

Flanders-based marine contractors Jan De Nul and DEME are working with engineering firm Tractebel on a system of floating solar panels, to be deployed at sea. A test installation is set to be launched off the Belgian coast this summer, the companies announced on Wednesday.

According to the partnering companies, the technology, called Seavolt, can withstand harsh conditions at sea. "The addition of floating solar panels to existing and future offshore wind farms offers an opportunity to add large volumes of additional renewable energy," a press release states.

The partners have been working on the technology for four years, in collaboration with Ghent University, among others. "After research in the lab, the partners are currently developing a test rig at sea, which will be launched off the Belgian coast in the summer of 2023," reads a press release.

"The test installation will be deployed off the coast of Ostend, not far out to sea," a Jan De Nul spokesperson specifies.

(BRV)

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