We all know that transitioning to a sustainable energy system can’t wait, so let’s do it together. What about solar panels on water? In the Netherlands, we must use the space available to us creatively. Because we need to conserve usable agricultural land, and because not all roofs are suitable for solar panels, we need to consider other solutions. Solar panels on water, which are known as a floating solar farm, are a good sustainable solution.
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In order to make a big impact on sustainability, creative thinking is needed. Different solutions than we are used to. We dare to think differently. We use floating solar parks to generate sustainable energy. And that works well. Because the brilliance of the water significantly increases the yield. We already have several projects for solar on water under development, in Markelo and Eesterga.
As an entrepreneur, you know what’s best for your company. The decisions you make aren’t just for now, but also for the future: so make a sustainable choice.
Do you have a lake of at least 10 hectares, such as a sand mining lake? Then we’d love to talk to you about what will happen to the lake after the sand mining ceases. This will be to your advantage, of course. By selling the lake to Novar, you can immediately reap the proceeds of the sale.
We install solar panels on lakes of at least 10 hectares. The panels are mounted on floats, which make the structure resillient to weather conditions that cause waves. The floating panels simply move with the waves.
We ensure that the construction of the floating solar park is well constructed. This ensures that the construction remains in place and we exert as little influence as possible on the ecology around the lake shore. The lake shore has the highest ecological value, which of course we don't want to disturb.
Your location
The most suitable locations for a floating solar farm are (former) sand mining lakes, as swimming is often prohibited in these lakes because they are very deep and there is a risk of subsidence. Sometimes sand is still mined in these lakes. Installing solar panels can also be a great solution in this situation. We use the ‘excess’ space smartly while the existing sand mining operations continue uninterrupted.
Of course other lakes are also suitable for solar panels, including (former) fish ponds, dredging depots, water purification facilities, reservoirs and other inland waters.
You have the location, we have the knowledge. We can make a real sustainable impact together. If you would like to know more about how you can make your lake sustainable, please contact us.
It depends on the zoning on the site, but generally for solar on water we apply for an environmental permit for the period of 25 to 30 years. If the pond is in the management of the water board, a water permit is also required.
The current generation of floating systems is safe. The floating platforms can withstand extreme weather conditions. There are calculations behind this, for example for the anchoring construction. Safety is also ensured by monitoring and maintaining the PV system during the operating period.
On large lakes, breakwaters are constructed around the floating system to minimize the impact of wave action. Flexibility is added at anchorage so that the floating system can withstand fluctuating water levels.
When a panel on the water is broken, we need to be able to get to it. This can be done by means of a maintenance boat or with a direct connection to the shore. For example, by means of a bridge. That's how you reach the floating installation. Then you have two different options to get to the panels: via walkways over the floats or via a cart on a rail.
With a floating system, you have to deal with parts that are on or in the water, namely (plastic) floats, the anchoring structure and cable(s) from shore to the floating system. This is an additional focus for maintenance/monitoring because the materials can degrade.
At Novar, we currently have two solar-on-water projects under development:
In both projects we pay great attention to ecological integration, especially with regard to the banks of the ponds.
Floating solar panels or "floatovoltaics" have several advantages:
A certain degree of biodiversity is present in almost every pond. This biodiversity may include, for example, vegetation along the shoreline, the presence of macrofauna, fish and amphibians in the pond, and water birds that (in winter) rest on the pond.
When developing a floating solar park, we make every effort to preserve and, if possible, enhance the quality of life. This can be done in many different ways, and based on the flora and fauna present, we come up with a specific plan. The goal is to deliver the pond, after the operating period, with a better and more varied biodiversity.
The first multi-year research results surrounding the ecological effects of floating solar parks are positive: water quality and biodiversity remain stable. Of course, the ecological effect of floating solar parks is strongly related to the characteristics of the pond and the PV system. Consider, for example, the depth, size and existing biodiversity of the pond and the degree of coverage of the PV system. In finding suitable locations and in the design of the floating solar park, Novar naturally takes this into account.
In addition, a floating solar park also offers opportunities to increase biodiversity. To this end, Novar is taking ecological measures such as installing branch rills under the panels, constructing reed beds along the bank and building a bank swallow wall along the shore. By monitoring the ecological effects of the floating solar park during the operating period of the solar park, Novar is also contributing to multi-year research into the ecological impact of floating PV systems.
