What Is the SolarinBlue Project?
SolarinBlue is shaking up the renewable energy scene by pioneering solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation at sea. Founded in France, this innovative company designs and produces cutting-edge solutions for offshore solar PV systems. Their flagship project, Mega Sète, is set to become France’s first offshore solar park, located just 2 kilometers off the Mediterranean coast near Sète. Imagine solar panels floating on the waves, harnessing the sun’s power without taking up valuable land space. That’s exactly what SolarinBlue is making happen, with a focus on modular, scalable technology that can be deployed in various marine environments.
Main Benefits of SolarinBlue’s Offshore Solar Technology
Why is SolarinBlue’s approach so exciting? Here are some key facts and figures that highlight the advantages:
- Lightweight lattice structure optimized for easy assembly and deployment
- High buoyancy and elevated panels (3 meters high) designed to withstand waves up to 12 meters
- Eco-designed floats made from recyclable HDPE, minimizing environmental impact
- Low CAPEX and LCOE thanks to optimized operations and maintenance
- Modular units that can be interconnected to form solar farms up to 1 GW in capacity
- Invisible from shore when installed 3 km offshore, ensuring no visual pollution
- Co-location capability with offshore wind farms, sharing cables and substations to reduce costs
Technology Behind the Innovation
At the heart of SolarinBlue’s success is its innovative technology. The company uses a lightweight lattice structure that’s easy to assemble and deploy, even in challenging maritime conditions. The solar panels are mounted on floats made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is not only durable but also recyclable—over 90% of the materials can be reused. The panels sit elevated 3 meters above the water, allowing them to resist waves as high as 12 meters. This design ensures maximum durability and energy production, even in rough seas. Plus, the connection system between units is innovative, allowing for seamless scalability and modularity.
Applications Across Marine Environments
SolarinBlue’s technology isn’t just for one type of location. It’s versatile enough to be installed in ports and marinas, islands, and even alongside offshore wind farms. Near ports and coastal industries, their solar farms help decarbonize electricity consumption, contributing to the blue economy’s carbon neutrality goals. On islands, where land is limited and visual impact matters, SolarinBlue offers a low-cost, low-impact solution to reduce electricity costs and CO2 emissions. And when combined with offshore wind farms, the synergy between solar and wind power creates cost savings on infrastructure and simplifies grid integration. It’s a win-win for clean energy production at sea.
Why Offshore Photovoltaic Solar?
Offshore PV solar is a game-changer for several reasons. First, it avoids land competition—solar farms at sea occupy just a tiny fraction of the vast maritime domain, leaving precious land free for other uses. The modular and scalable nature of SolarinBlue’s units means farms can grow up to 1 GW, matching large-scale energy demands. Energy production at sea is just as predictable as on land, making it a reliable source of renewable power. And with PV solar already the cheapest renewable energy on land, it’s only a matter of time before offshore solar achieves similarly low costs. Plus, floating solar farms don’t require complex maritime operations, keeping CAPEX low. And let’s not forget—being 3 km offshore means no visual impact for coastal communities.
Environmental and Social Impact
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – providing sustainable solar power at sea
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – pioneering new offshore solar technologies
- SDG 13: Climate Action – reducing CO2 emissions through decarbonized electricity
- SDG 14: Life Below Water – minimizing ecological impact with eco-designed, recyclable materials
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – supporting carbon neutrality in ports and coastal industries
Media Recognition and Public Funding
SolarinBlue’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. The company secured 6 million euros under the France 2030 plan to deploy twenty floaters, each carrying a hundred photovoltaic panels, at sea. This pre-commercial demonstrator of 1 MW will power the port of Sète-Frontignan’s infrastructure. The floaters are engineered to withstand waves over 10 meters and winds up to 200 km/h—talk about resilience! Media outlets like Les Echos and France 3 have covered the project extensively, highlighting its potential to integrate with future hybrid offshore wind-solar parks. It’s a bold step forward in France’s renewable energy landscape, and the world is watching.
