June 28, 2024

Nova Launches its First Floating Solar Project in Edinburgh

Scottish marine energy specialist Nova Innovation has successfully launched its inaugural floating solar project, a pioneering demonstrator located at the Port of Leith in Edinburgh. The array is already operational, supplying renewable electricity directly to the headquarters of Forth Ports, showcasing a practical application of near-shore marine solar technology.

The project’s resilience was rigorously tested during its first winter. In October 2023, the floating platform endured the full force of Storm Babet, withstanding torrential rain and 70mph winds while continuing to generate electricity. Its robust performance was further validated as it operated seamlessly through an additional 11 named storms, proving the technology’s durability for challenging marine environments.

Building on this success, Nova Innovation has partnered with the global environmental and engineering consultancy RSK to form AquaGen365. This new joint venture is set to deliver comprehensive floating solar services worldwide, combining Nova’s specialized marine energy experience with RSK’s extensive network of over 200 firms in 40 countries to design, build, and install floating solar power stations.

The venture aims to tap into the immense global potential of floating solar power. A recent study highlights that deploying this technology on water bodies, which cover two-thirds of the planet, could generate 9,343 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity—three times Europe’s entire demand. “Floating solar represents a significant advancement in the quest for clean renewable energy,” stated Nova Innovation CEO Simon Forrest. He emphasized its advantage in being rapidly deployable on a large scale, especially “in locations where land is rare or expensive,” aligning with the COP28 goal to triple global renewable capacity by 2030.

David Taylor, a director at RSK, highlighted the technology’s versatility as an alternative to ground-mounted solar PV. “Floating solar generates clean, predictable, and low-cost electricity using dependable and bankable technology,” Taylor noted. He added that the solution will benefit numerous sectors, including “sustainable irrigation in agriculture, helping the water industry meet its carbon net zero targets, providing renewable energy for industrial sites… and driving the push for ‘greener’ ports and harbours.”

With its proven technology and the strategic formation of AquaGen365, Nova Innovation is positioned to transform the floating solar landscape, establishing new benchmarks for innovation and sustainability in the renewable energy sector.