Oslo-based independent assurance and risk management company DNV has given a Statement of Conformity to Norwegian offshore energy design and engineering firm Moss Maritime for a design brief that outlines the design methodology for its floating solar concept XolarSurf. The recognition will help to pave the way for further development of floating solar in exposed near-shore waters.
The Statement of Conformity verifies that the design methodology complies with DNV’s general principles and requirements following the standard DNV-ST-0119. DNV has conducted independent investigations to identify and reduce errors, deficiencies and weaknesses in methods and analytical tools. Wind, waves and currents affect structures in the sea, and DNV’s input ensures that their impact will be taken care of in the further development of the concept. Independent confirmation of the design brief will help Moss Maritime reduce risk and attract the investment needed for further advancing its floating solar technology.
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‘We aim to have a prototype in the water by June. DNV’s Statement of Conformity is a recognition and a stamp of quality that gives us a good basis for further work,’ said Alexander Minge Thøgersen, vice president of engineering at Moss Maritime. ‘Compared to floating wind turbines, floating solar power technology is simpler, engineering costs are lower and structures are easier to build. Floating solar power is also well suited for mass production, which will have a positive impact on price and deployment.
DNV’s 2023 Energy Transition Outlook highlighted the recent growth in solar photovoltaics (PV), moving from 1 GW installed annually in 2004 to 250 GW installed in 2022 alone. With land-based growth on this scale, the large amount of space required for development presents a challenge that may be addressed by floating solar.
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Floating solar technology must overcome rough sea conditions; however, the potential benefits, such as reduced land footprint and co-location with existing wind farms, present compelling opportunities. By combining floating solar with offshore wind farms and thereby leveraging the same energy infrastructure and export cables, the resulting energy production capacity per used area could be drastically improved. This greatly underscores the viability of floating solar PV as a key component of the renewable energy landscape and its relevance in the energy transition.
‘Solar power development is an important element in the energy transition,’ said Hans Kristian Danielsen, senior vice president of global business development and sales enablement, energy systems at DNV. ‘Investing in the development of floating solar power is therefore highly interesting, especially in connection with co-locating with offshore wind farms. This provides both good area utilisation and the possibility of cost reduction through the sharing of infrastructure. In practice, Moss Maritime has received an instruction manual, so that it can design and develop floating solar power that can withstand rough sea conditions.’
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‘DNV is proud to hand over this Statement of Conformity to Moss Maritime and support the advancement of floating solar in exposed waters. By verifying its design brief, DNV helps enable Moss Maritime in the deployment of its technology in a safe and reliable manner,’ said Prajeev Rasiah, executive vice president and regional director for northern Europe, energy systems at DNV. ‘DNV is committed to being a trusted voice in the energy transition by using our expertise to contribute to the global efforts of tackling climate change. We look forward to following Moss Maritime’s work with renewable energy sources and to seeing the deployment of its floating solar concept.’