Riding the waves of innovation: Floating offshore Solar with Aurélien Croq - SolarinBlue

As land becomes scarcer and the demand for clean energy grows, a new frontier in renewable energy is taking shape: floating offshore solar.

In the latest episode of BlueTech Around the World, I had the pleasure of speaking with Aurélien Croq, CEO of SolarinBlue, a pioneering French startup pushing the limits of solar power offshore.

With a background in engineering and strategic roles at Engie?and the French government, Aurélien is on a mission to decarbonize ports and islands by unlocking solar energy’s potential at sea.

We dove deep into the challenges and opportunities of deploying solar panels on water, from handling 14-meter waves?to minimizing environmental impact.

?Why floating offshore solar?

Floating solar?is one of the fastest-growing sectors in renewable energy, with the World Bank estimating its potential at 400 gigawatts?globally. To put that into perspective, it’s enough to power 300 million households, equivalent to the annual energy consumption of a country like Japan.

Traditional solar installations on land face constraints like space limitations and land-use conflicts. As Aurélien explained:"The lake market for floating PV has become very mature. Now, the new frontier is deploying solar PV at sea without land constraints."

Offshore solar not only bypasses these constraints but also complements offshore wind. By sharing existing infrastructure like cables and substations, offshore solar can boost energy production without demanding extra space or investments.

The most compelling aspect?

Floating offshore solar can deliver 6% more energy than comparable onshore projects, as demonstrated by the Sun’Sète project. This increased efficiency is due to lower temperatures at sea?and the use of bifacial panels that capture both direct and reflected sunlight.

Solar canopies on water: The cost advantage

Aurélien made an interesting comparison between floating solar?and solar canopies?over car parks. Structurally, they are quite similar, which helps keep costs in check.

The key difference?

• Land-based installations?incur high maintenance costs due to access roads, fences, and vegetation control.
• Offshore solar?eliminates these costs entirely, making maintenance as cost-effective as that of small land-based projects.

"We are in a very favorable position because maintenance at sea doesn’t need to be high," Aurélien emphasized.

The lack of land-based infrastructure significantly reduces operation and maintenance costs, making offshore solar not only a green but also a cost-effective?solution.

Engineering for extreme conditions

Deploying solar panels at sea is no easy task.

The Sun’Sète project, SolarinBlue's first offshore solar farm in the Mediterranean, proved that it’s possible to withstand waves of up to 9 meters.

Aurélien shared the secret behind this success: a patented design?that keeps structures low over the water?and prevents collision between floaters.

By keeping the elevation of the panels low, maintenance and installation costs?are reduced. Moreover, these lower elevations make offshore solar installations less visible from the coast, enhancing social acceptability."We’ve demonstrated that our technology can handle waves of up to 14 meters. That’s a game-changer for expanding solar energy offshore."

Designing for Nature: minimizing environmental impact

One of the key challenges of offshore energy projects is their potential impact on marine ecosystems.

SolarinBlue's approach is to elevate solar panels?to allow air and water flow underneath, preventing disruption to oxygen exchange between the ocean and atmosphere.

Additionally, the floaters are separated by corridors, allowing sunlight to pass through and reach marine life below. This design not only minimizes shading but also enhances biodiversity. The bifacial panels?capture both direct and reflected sunlight, ensuring that marine ecosystems receive enough light.

Interestingly, the floating structures attract marine organisms, turning them into artificial reefs. This phenomenon, known as biofouling, adds weight to the floaters, something SolarinBlue's engineering team had to account for."Biofouling is a challenge, but it’s also a benefit. It enhances marine life around the structures,"?Aurélien noted.

Unlocking the potential of co-location with offshore wind

One of the most exciting aspects of offshore solar is its potential to coexist with offshore wind.

Since solar and wind energy peak at different times, solar during the day and summer, wind during nights and winter, co-locating them allows for a more balanced and reliable energy supply.

By sharing the same cables and infrastructure, the cost of offshore solar drops significantly. As Aurélien highlighted:"Offshore wind farms have already secured permits and infrastructure. By adding solar, we can double the energy output using just 10% of the area."

This synergy not only maximizes the use of existing offshore assets but also helps in gaining social acceptance?by reducing the spatial footprint of renewable projects at sea.

It’s also a matter of energy sovereignty, reducing reliance on imported energy by maximizing domestic renewable sources.

A global outlook: Where is offshore solar heading next?

While France has been a strong supporter of offshore solar, other countries are quickly catching up.

• The Netherlands?leads with a 50-megawatt offshore solar project set for 2027.
• Italy?and Greece?are also investing heavily, recognizing the technology's potential to overcome land-use constraints.
• In Asia, countries like China are deploying gigawatt-scale projects.

"Europe has what it takes to be a key global player,"?Aurélien remarked, emphasizing the region's established offshore wind infrastructure?and supportive regulatory frameworks.

The future of offshore solar: Innovation and challenges

For offshore solar to reach its full potential, continuous innovation is crucial. According to Aurélien, the next big steps involve:

• Lighter, more resistant materials?for floaters and structures.
• Innovative anchoring solutions?to reduce costs and environmental impact.
• Enhanced solar efficiency?through mainstream, commercially available panels that work well at sea.

The ability to leverage existing offshore wind infrastructure?also means that offshore solar can scale rapidly without waiting for new sites or permits. This co-location strategy could play a pivotal role in achieving the European Green Deal’s renewable energy targets.

Entrepreneurial advice from Aurélien Croq

To aspiring BlueTech entrepreneurs, Aurélien’s advice was clear:"Don’t hesitate to take bold technological bets. Most standards and constraints don’t apply to new solutions."

He pointed to the journey of Sun’Sète, from skepticism to success, as proof that innovation is not only possible but essential."If you believe in your solution and have the right expertise, you can turn doubts into milestones,"?he encouraged.

Floating solar: A key to energy sovereignty

In today’s geopolitical context, energy sovereignty?is a hot topic. Offshore solar offers a path to decarbonize energy production?without competing for land or impacting agricultural areas. By harnessing the vast, untapped potential of the oceans, countries can reduce their reliance on imported fossil fuels.

As Aurélien put it:"Offshore solar is not just about decarbonization—it’s about gaining back sovereignty on electricity production."

Listen to the full episode

Want to hear more about how floating offshore solar?is transforming the renewable energy landscape? Don’t miss this episode of BlueTech Around the World!

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