Denmark Approves First Marine Floating Solar Pilot Project

Denmark approved its first floating marine solar pilot in Roskilde Fjord. This project brings new green energy research opportunities to local professionals and students.

The Danish Energy Agency approved engineering firm COWI and DTU for the project. They will test three floating solar systems near the DTU Risø Campus. The trial will run for three years in northern Denmark.

The agency decided that the pilot does not need an environmental impact assessment. A 2024 law lets the energy minister permit offshore tests up to 3 MW. These test projects can operate within 15 kilometers of the coast.

Three side-by-side systems will test different floating technologies. French firm HelioRec, German firm SINN Power, and Norwegian firm Sunlit Sea supply hardware. The total capacity reaches around 115 kW across 920 square meters of water.

Researchers will test monocrystalline PERC and heterojunction solar modules. Concrete seabed anchors will hold all three systems in place. Steel and polyester lines will attach the anchors to the floating platforms.

Scientists will study energy yield, corrosion, material degradation, and operating costs. Water cooling could help fjord solar modules operate more efficiently than land modules. However, salty moisture may accelerate corrosion and reduce equipment durability.

The study includes permitting, baseline research, 18 months of testing, and decommissioning. The total budget is 8 million Danish kroner. COWI Foundation primarily funds the work with co-financing from DTU. PV Magazine reported these details on the new Danish project.