A proposal for what would be Europe’s largest offshore floating solar array has been awarded funding to see the project realised.

According to Marine Industry News, the €8.4m Nautical SUNRISE consortium is supported with €6.8m from the Horizon Europe programme for its offshore floating solar (OFS) R&D efforts.

Using existing cabling for offshore wind turbines off the Netherlands, the project aims to deploy an array of modular solar panels developed by Dutch consortium partner SolarDuck.

But first will come research and testing to ensure the system’s reliability, survivability, electrical stability and yield before it’s scaled up for a full offshore demonstration.

Marine Industry News has more on the story HERE.

A Mayo based renewable energy startup Solar MarineEnergy is making plans to build Ireland’s first floating solar energy plant which it proposes to locate in Cork Harbour, writes the Irish Examiner.

“We have secured permission from the Port of Cork to install a 1.5MW plant at Ringaskiddy and are in the process of signing up the Marine and Renewable Energy Centre as clients for our electricity,” said Solar Marine Energy chief executive and co-founder Eamon Howlin, adding he has now applied to Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government for a foreshore licence for the project.

Hoping to get the plant up and running next year, Mr Howlin said that in addition to providing a supply of clean green energy, the “floating photovoltaic” installation will allow the company to demonstrate the effectiveness of its technology to prospective clients around the world.

He said the proposed installation will have the capacity to provide enough electricity for the annual needs of 350 houses. Seven years ago, Mr Howlin and company co-founder Michael Whelan observed the emergence of floating solar energy. They identified a gap in the market for floating platforms built to international maritime standards.

The newspaper has more on this proposed coastal development. 

#SeaPower - In a week that saw the Government move to pull back from binding renewable energy targets, it's good to see others a more positive outlook on going green - with news that a French company has developed sails that can collect energy from the sun.

Sail World reports on the new SolarClothSystem from Sailmakers France, which makes use of photovoltaic cells in a flexible film that can be woven into the sail fabric.

What it means for yachts is the ability to generate power from the mainsail - and in future even sunshades, biminis and dodgers - without the need for direct sunlight.

The new tech is set to his the market in September, potentially ushering in a new era of carbon-neutral sailing as boats move under the power of the wind while generating electrical power from the same sails.

Sail World has more on the story HERE.