MPVAQUA (Marine floating PV)

The MPVAqua project is a research project investigating, monitoring and evaluating new concepts for a commercial MFPV (marine floating photovoltaic) technologies.

The biggest challenges lie in the development of special solar panel structures that can withstand high ocean waves and the construction of solar panels that are salt resistant. Research is also needed into the transport of energy to shore and the impact of these solar farms on the marine ecosystem. 

Synergies and the compatibility in the marine environment between the MFPV and aquaculture will also be investigated. At the end of this phase, the consortium strives for an assessment of the concepts developed based on experimental tests in controlled environments such as laboratories and sheltered open-air test benches.

If the project is successful, the first commercial offshore solar farm is expected in five to ten years.  The aim is to install them in between the wind turbines of the Belgian wind farms in the North Sea, which could double the energy coming from the wind farms.