A pilot project in the North Sea will develop floating solar panels that glide over waves ‘like a carpet’

Floating solar panels in the Netherlands. A number of major energy firms are looking into the potential of combining floating solar with other energy sources.

German energy firm RWE is to invest in a pilot project centered around the deployment of floating solar technology in the North Sea.

The pilot, called Merganser, is set to be installed off the coast of Belgium. RWE said that Merganser would be the first offshore pilot for SolarDuck.

RWE said that Merganser would give it and SolarDuck important first-hand experience in one of the most challenging offshore environments in the world.

Learnings from the project will allow for a quicker commercialization of the technology.

SolarDuck's system is based on a design that allows the solar panels to float above water and ride waves like a carpet, according to RWE.

The goal of the collaboration is for SolarDuck's technology to be used in a larger demonstration project at the Hollandse Kust West offshore wind farm.

The integration of offshore floating solar into an offshore wind farm was a more efficient use of ocean space for energy generation.

Combining wind and solar is not new to RWE. A floating solar technology demonstration is planned by the Hollandse Kust wind farm which will be located in the North Sea.

CrossWind is a joint venture between En Eco and Shell.

There is a floating solar park in Alqueva. The park is described as the largest in Europe in a reservoir.

The dam at Alqueva would be able to be combined with solar power. The battery storage system will be installed.

The idea of hybridization is what feeds into the above projects.

The bet on hybridization, by combining electricity produced from water, sun, wind and storage, was seen as a path of growth by the CEO of the company.

He said that the company was able to produce energy that was cheaper by investing in hybridization.