Testing begins on wave and solar system

Eco Wave Power (EWP) started testing of its combined system in its R&D facility in the Port of Jaffa. Upon successful test results, the company will install solar panels on all floaters in the expanded EWP station in the port and will review the possibility to install the new system also in Gibraltar and in future sites.

In order to ease the integration of solar and wind power, without waste of any land space (which often also comprises a significant part of the cost in commercial scale solar farms), EWP developed a method for connection of the solar panels to the surface of its’ floaters.

The EWP engineering team explained that the possible advantages in such combination include higher generation of wave and solar electricity on the same space; no costs associated with land use for solar production.

Additionally, during sunny days, when the water is still there will be a mirroring effect which will potentially increase energy production from the solar panels on top of the EWP floaters; and the surrounding water will have a cooling effect on the panels causing less energy loss resulting from heat, in similarity to solar panels that are currently being installed on water reservoirs.

The idea for the combined solution was conceived from significant interest of several of EWP’s potential clients in having a variety of renewable energy sources as part of their energy mix. However, due to space restrictions (especially experienced by islands), there is a limitation on the implementation of large-scale solar farms which often require significant land spaces.

EWP has applied for a new PCT (international patent) and a new Israeli Patent for the system.