The CTC Technology Centre has embarked on a new initiative to promote photovoltaic solar energy at sea using innovative technologies and materials. Through the PVFLOAT project, the only technology centre in Cantabria is committed to creating floating solar platforms to increase the production of this renewable and pollution-free energy.

In this regard, CTC is working on a technical, economic, and market feasibility study to develop several floating offshore solar platforms designs. This technology is becoming increasingly popular within the European Union to drive the shift towards sustainable energy.

The project aims to evaluate different concept designs of floating offshore solar platforms. This will involve new prototypes of structural components, using circular and cost-effective materials, and testing their resistance to the marine environment.

In addition, the technology centre plans to develop a simulation model of the floating system for full monitoring during its lifetime. This approach will also enable predictive maintenance of the platform to be carried out, showing operations that may fail and thus anticipating possible errors and problems that may arise in the system.

This feasibility study conducted by CTC will allow the conceptual design of the floating platforms to be validated at the proof-of-concept level . This level is the threshold level required for the call “HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-03-10: Innovative foundations, floating substructures and connection systems for floating PV and ocean energy” of the Horizon Europe Programme. In this way, the technology centre will have the opportunity to submit a proposal for this European call for proposals once the project is completed. CTC is currently actively looking for potential partners with expertise in photovoltaics interested in joining the project. Interested groups can contact CTC at info@centrotecnologicoctc.com.

For this initiative, the CTC Technological Centre has received a grant through the Cantabria FEDER 2014-2020 Operational Programme within its INNOVA line of aids, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.