SolarDuck selects Hydro aluminium profiles for its floating solar solution

Hydro has delivered fabricated aluminium profiles to SolarDuck for floating solar solution. Floating solar will be deployed for testing to see whether the photovoltaic-covered three-sided structure can become a viable addition to global power generation.

SolarDuck will launch its floating solar solution in April. It contains around 3.5 tonnes of fabricated aluminium profiles.

The aluminium profile will keep the solar panels and electrical parts more than three meters above water level. SolarDuck is building four units at Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands for its full-scale pilot. The four triangular structures will be connected somewhat like a jigsaw puzzle, then towed upstream to the project location.

“What we’ve done is create a unique design that fuses maritime expertise with solar knowledge,” said Koen Burgers, who is chief executive of the Netherlands-based start-up.

“Our structure is scalable in design: If you need an extra megawatt, we can do that. Our tilted east-west configuration maximizes the solar energy output. Maintenance is low, cleaning is low – if it rains, it cleans. It can be used offshore and in large lakes and reservoirs. And it is friendly to the ecosystem, with light permeating through the structure. We see our solution as an exciting new alternative in sustainable energy generation offshore.”

SolarDuck has started collaborating with a number of partners, including Hydro. Hydro has supplied aluminium profiles from two of its manufacturing plants in the Netherlands, in Lichtervelde and Harderwijk.

SolarDuck has already filed for two patents for this project.

“Reducing the weight above the waterline is important, and aluminium was the right material for this application. It also needed to be offshore-grade aluminium, because we are striving to build a platform that stays afloat for 30 years,” said Burgers.

“We look forward to partnering with Hydro to make use of their extensive knowledge regarding aluminium extrusion and construction,” he said, adding that “the potential market is enormous, and by combining strengths we are in a very good position to start developing this market and capturing significant value.”