Offshore PV technologies were tested for the first time under the severe wave loads generated by Delta-Flume, a 300 m long man-made gutter with a golf generator that is able to produce waves up to five meters. Testing is intended to standardize test and certification processes for offshore floating PV systems.
The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Dutch Offshore PV Specialist Oceans of Energy, Technological Institute Deltares and Norwegian Classification Society DNV Announced that They have conducted for the first time a ‘unique Delty Delty Delty Delty Delty Delte -Delty, Delty Delty Delte Delte -Delty Delte Delte, 300-m Long Flume Capable of Producing the World’s Largest Artificial Waves, With A Height of Up to 5 M.
“This presence was crucial for improving the understanding of DNV of the structural and mechanical requirements of these systems, in which to investigate how test activities can help in developing offshore solar certification and sharing insights obtained from the project,” said Oceans of Energy in a statement. “By simulating offshore conditions, the tests gave valuable information about how these systems respond to different golf conditions based on the length of the floor.”
According to the company, the NS2 Delta Flume tests have revealed how Offshore PV plants can withstand the difficult harsh conditions of the North Sea, where it has built various pilot systems and is planning to implement around 150 MW capacity. “This collaboration together with Deltares, TNO and DNV is of great importance to make progress in the direction of certification of offshore solar energy.” Said Fabian Koppes, head of the product, Oceans of Energie “The lessons have contributed to success stories from the industry, including the recording of our offshore solar system by Shell & Eneco in the Crosswind ‘Hollandse Coast Norwegian Wind Farm in summer 2025.”
The results of the tests in the Delta Flume facility were presented by TNO, Deltares and Oceans of Energy in a white paperWhere the researchers explained that they performed full-scale hydrodynamic tests from Oceans of Energy’s Offshore Solar Platform Array and Wave Slamming tests of fixed PV-mounting and PV modules. “The hydrodynamic test revealed a relationship between the system’s reaction to varying wavelength and floor length,” the report is. “The golf slam test was aimed at investigating potential performancegradation of PV modules, but did not reveal no sign of demolition.”
The Oceans of Energy platform was made of four lightweight rigid floats that can be integrated into offshore solar panels by an ‘interconnector’ component, where the structure is formed by rigid structures and a flexible part. A special mounting solution is assumed to enable this system configuration and to prevent the Slamming waves from breaking the PV module glass.
The scientists used a mooring system of fiber cables and chains to keep the floating series in position, whereby the lying system was screwed to the bottom of the Delta gutter. The floats were equipped with load cells that measure dimensions of the dimensions, voltage meters on the
Platforms, pressure sensors and slowniness measurement units to measure the acceleration and turning the platforms. The sensors were then connected to a built -in acquisition system in combination with the Delta Flume Data Acquisition system. Camera equipment was used to assess the behavior of the floating array during different golf conditions.
“The wave heights that were tested in the Delta -Goot varied from 0.25 m to 2.50 m, with golf perdations varied between 2 and 16 s. This caused significant loading conditions on the floating platforms, corresponding to waves that can occur several times a year in the North Sea,” is the whitebook. “The results of the Delta flumet tests are used to validate numerical models that can then be used to calculate taxes, among other things, extreme design conditions.”
The research project is intended to standardize test and certification processes for offshore PV technologies. “These standards are under development and will contribute to ensuring that offshore solar farms can be used safely, cost -effectively and with long -term stability,” said the group of companies and research institutes.
According to a recent report from DNV GL, the North Sea can organize around 100 MW of floating solar capacity by 2030 and 500 MW in 2035.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to work with us and reuse part of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
