Floating solar pilot launched in Dutch North Sea to test technology

The Merganser project was successfully installed in the Dutch North Sea as a first step towards testing and demonstrating the technology. Developed by the Dutch-Norwegian company SolarDuck with support from RWE, they plan to monitor performance while investigating the possibilities of integrating solar energy with offshore wind farms.

German energy giant RWE announced two years ago that it would explore integrating floating solar panel technology with offshore wind farms to create a more efficient use of ocean space for power generation. The company said it was interested in the concept both as a way to address the growing shortage of land for renewable energy production and as an alternative in places where wind is less suitable for power generation.

“Alone or in combination with offshore wind farms, floating solar panels at sea can open up new opportunities for the use of renewable energy at sea – especially in countries with lower average wind speeds but plenty of sunlight,” said Sven Utermohlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind.

RWE won the Dutch auction for the Hollandse Kust (West) Wind Farm Zone in 2022. As part of the project, the company proposed integrating a SolarDuck solution to meet the tender requirements. SolarDuck was commissioned to develop a demonstration system, while other options in the auction include incorporating batteries into offshore wind farms and using space in offshore hydrogen production facilities.

Merganser has a peak power of 0.5 megawatts. The project, which consists of six interconnected platforms, was towed to the site approximately 7.5 miles off the coast of Scheveningen. The floating platforms were successfully connected to the mooring system at a depth of 20 meters (65 feet).

One of the key challenges is developing a platform that can withstand the harsh conditions at sea. The North Sea is well-known for its strong winds and high sea temperatures. The SolarDuck platform, with its triangular shape, has been designed to float several metres above the water. According to the company, the design will be able to keep critical components dry, clean and stable, as well as protect the structural integrity of the semi-submersible floating structure. The project recently received the world’s first OFPV certification from Bureau Veritas.

Over the next two years, Merganser will be monitored remotely with more than 180 sensors installed to report structural loads, joint and mooring loads, and electrical performance. The companies said the test will provide key information for the development and commercialization of the technology.

Hollandse Kust (West) Wind Farm Zone includes two projects, one to be developed by RWE and the other awarded to a consortium of Shell and Eneco. The zone is located about 30 miles off the west coast of the Netherlands. It will support about 1,400 MW, split between two projects, and has a target start date of operation in late 2026.