A University of Malta led project called SolAqua, addressing the issue of land scarcity in small countries by studying and testing the technical and financial feasibility of floating solar panels, was recently featured in PV Magazine, the most widely read solar tech news magazine.
An article called ‘New floating structure for offshore PV, from Malta’, written by Emiliano Bellini, talks about the fact that these structures can withstand 6m of high waves, and can be utilised with standard photovoltaic modules that are currently available in the market.
Prof. Luciano Mule’ Stagno, who is leading the project together with a team of scientists from the University’s Institute for Sustainable Energy, told the writer that the team turned to offshore PV in 2013 out of necessity, with the first prototype developed the year after.
This prototype underwent many changes to adapt it to the performed modelling and cost analysis, with the latest version having a modular configuration and being made of light concrete or a similar material, tied together by ropes.
The first prototype should be deployed in offshore waters in 2023, and the development of a full-scale open-sea trial will hopefully launch next year.
The full article can be browsed through .
