Italy-based engineering service provider Saipem has launched the first full-scale prototype of XolarSurf, a modular solution for floating solar in harsh offshore conditions. Developed by Saipem’s Norwegian subsidiary Moss Maritime and created in collaboration with the Norwegian manufacturer Kystteknikk and other subcontractors, the prototype was launched at sea at Kystteknikk’s facilities in Dyrvik, on the island of Frøya, at the mouth of the Trondheim fjord in Norway, where it will remain for about a year, during which its performance and production capacity will be monitored.
Designed to withstand waves up to eight metres in height, XolarSurf is a modularised floating solar technology. Its design grants significant flexibility as it’s formed of ‘islands’, each of which consists of several smaller floaters bearing photovoltaic panels. Each floater may generate up to 35–45 kWp of installed power.
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The prototype is a result of several years of development, engineering, and model and component testing in laboratories, as well as full-scale testing of critical marine operations relevant to the installation of an offshore floating solar park, with a joint effort by Saipem, Moss Maritime and Equinor.
According to Saipem, XolarSurf represents a new frontier in the floating solar segment, capable of being installed in any coastal or offshore location, even under harsh environmental conditions. It offers an optimal solution for hybrid projects, such as offshore wind farms, both fixed and floating. The technology is particularly suited to locations with limited access to land, remote areas and stand-alone grids, and can provide electricity to the growing aquaculture industry, both near shore and for new planned offshore installations. The modular design of XolarSurf allows it to be easily relocated to new sites or expanded in its existing location.