Landatu Solar has deployed a modular floating solar energy pilot in the waters of the Port of Bilbao to test the performance of the technology in real conditions and assess its potential for future offshore deployment.
The 12 by 12 metre pilot installation is moored at the Santurtzi dock and has been designed to evaluate how a floating photovoltaic (PV) system behaves when exposed to the complex environmental forces typical of marine environments.
The trial will examine the effects of waves, wind, corrosion and the performance of the anchoring system, generating technical data that will inform further development and potential scale-up of the technology.
The floating platform consists of a modular stretched membrane and mesh structure supported by an outer frame that provides buoyancy and overall rigidity. This design allows the structure to adapt more effectively to dynamic loads caused by wave motion while also enabling the use of lightweight and transportable components. The modular approach could help reduce installation times and simplify logistics compared with more conventional floating PV systems.
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The pilot forms part of the Seamod Project, an initiative aimed at developing an innovative floating solution for photovoltaic generation in offshore and coastal waters. The system is intended to be scalable and capable of integration with other marine renewable technologies, including offshore wind.
By placing solar installations in marine environments, the project also aims to reduce pressure on agricultural and developable land, an issue that is becoming increasingly significant as renewable energy capacity expands across Europe.
Seamod has been developed by Landatu Solar with support from the Hazitek Programme 2024 and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Basque Government’s Department of Economic Development, Sustainability and the Environment.
