BlueNewables, a leader in innovative renewable energy solutions, has patented a floating photovoltaic solar technology called PV-bos. The company projects an LCOE ranging from 70 to 85 €/MWh for the commercial phase of its patented system.
This model combines bifacial panels with adaptable floating structures and containerized inverters that protect the equipment from harsh marine conditions and optimize operation.
It stands out for its ability to keep the panels away from the water, reducing the impact of wave motion and simplifying maintenance.
The PV-bos uses N-type 710W bifacial panels certified for humid and saline environments, housed in floating structures designed to maximize maritime space occupancy and minimize operational costs.
According to Bernardino Couñago, Co-founder & Managing Director of the company, the design’s flexibility allows it to adapt to diverse supply chains, democratizing its global adoption.
In an interview with Energía Estratégica España, he explains that the system optimizes energy efficiency by using seawater as a natural coolant and incorporating a numerical model developed by the company to predict and maximize energy production.
“During the hotter seasons, the panels lose efficiency starting at 25°C, and seawater naturally provides a cold source to cool the panels, thereby improving their efficiency. With the use of bifacial panels, a 5-10% increase in annual production is expected compared to a fixed monofacial system on land,” adds the executive.
BlueNewables estimates that its technology will reach an LCOE of 70-85 €/MWh when large-scale commercial parks are developed, with capacities of up to 100 MW per installation, which would involve 100 to 133 PV-bos units.
This competitiveness is based on the standardization and serialization of components, which will facilitate mass production and reduce costs.
According to Couñago, “The ability to penetrate the global market will more than compensate for the initial development efforts.”
The floating installation minimizes environmental and visual impacts, making it ideal for areas such as the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
With optimal depths ranging from 15 to 200 meters, the system is viable for both small projects and large hybrid parks with wind energy.
Pilot project at the Port of Valencia
The pilot project in Valencia, backed by an investment of between 3.5 and 5 million euros, consists of two 0.5 MW units, each with dimensions of 65 meters in length and 45 meters in width.
For two years, the energy generated will be injected free of charge into the Valencia port’s grid, thanks to a collaboration with the Institute for Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE).
This pilot will validate technological projections and move towards commercialization.
The roadmap began in 2019, and until the technology starts being commercialized, including the development of various PV-bos models, total investment will approach 10 million euros.
“Technological development costs may seem high, but we’ve estimated a potential market of nearly 400,000 MW worldwide, and even with a small market penetration, it would more than compensate for our efforts,” says Couñago.
Different models
The PV-bos has been designed for small installations of 1-10 MW, near consumption centers such as ports or coastal industrial zones, to large installations of over 500 MW in hybrid offshore wind parks or large offshore solar parks.
As the company’s representative explains, a wide range of models for their floating photovoltaic technology is being developed, designed to adapt to different supply chains and logistical needs worldwide, always respecting the innovative characteristics of their patent.
Among the variants, two main approaches stand out: one based on tubular steel structural elements and another using reinforced flat steel panels, each optimized to meet the specific capacities of various industries.
Additionally, the company has been awarded an R&D project that will allow it to advance the development of a version focused on modularity, serialization, and containerization—features that will facilitate more efficient and global logistics.
At the same time, BlueNewables is working on a concrete variant, which offers unique advantages for expanding its reach in diversified markets and maximizing penetration opportunities on an international scale.
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