Saipem has reached a key milestone with its floating solar technology XolarSurf offshore Norway after a full-scale prototype of the solution developed by subsidiary Moss Maritime was launched at sea.
XolarSurf is a cutting-edge modular solution for harsh offshore floating solar, Saipem said.
The XolarSurf prototype, created in collaboration with the Norwegian manufacturer Kystteknikk and other subcontractors, was lifted and launched at sea at Kystteknikk’s facilities in Dyrvik, Norway.
Design to withstand waves up to eight metres, this represents the first full-scale test and a key milestone in the readiness of the product.
The prototype is expected to remain at sea for about one year, during which its performance and production capacity will be monitored.
XolarSurf is a modularised floating solar technology developed by Moss Maritime, Saipem’s Norwegian subsidiary specialising in design and engineering services for the offshore energy as well as other ocean-based sectors.
A full industrialisation process has been conducted to exploit the cost reduction associated to repeated and scalable production, Saipem said.
This solution can produce electricity from solar panels mounted on floaters specifically designed for marine environments.
Its design grants significant flexibility as it is formed by “islands”, each one consisting of several smaller floaters providing a safe space for the photovoltaic panels.
Each floater may generate up to 35kWp–45kWp of installed power.
The prototype is a result of several years of development, engineering, 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.
XolarSurf is 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, Saipem said.
This technology is particularly suited for locations with limited access to land, remote areas, stand-alone grids, and can provide electricity to the growing aquaculture industry, both near shore and for new planned offshore installations, it added.
The modular design of XolarSurf allows it to be easily relocated to new sites or expanded in its existing location, according to Saipem.