Accompanied by a thudding bass, the images of the Flooding of 1953 were blasted into the hall on June 22. Not much later the world wide climate problem is addressed in an intense manner, and images of the well-known plastic soup are shown. The Dutch start-up Profloating want to contribute to solving both problems with floating solar panels. Horticulture has a part to play in this as well. Vincent van Daalen, Profloating: “Land is becoming scarcer due to a growing world population, so we should investigate the possibility of using unused space such as water surfaces to generate energy without using land needed for the production of food.”
The floating panels are attached to plastic floaters which can be connected like pieces of Lego. Vincent: “Installation is simple, even for dummies. The panels are more expensive that solar panels on land, but has the added bonus that natural cooling at the bottom by the water, increases the efficiency by 20%. Too much heat slows conduction, and lowers the energy yield."
Floating panels are not without risk, but through trial and error all possible risks have been accounted for. Floating panels can resist temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius, hurricane force 11, and the pounding waves.
In horticulture 12 panels have been fitted as a test at Kwekerij Laguna in Wateringen. Vincent: “In combination with a pump that provides natural flow and addition of oxygen to the water, you see that the water with the panels is clear, while the algae pressure is much higher in the open basin and the water is greener. You could see the panels as an alternative for placing foil over the basin. You prevent evaporation, lower the algae pressure, and use an unused space to generate energy.”
Real floating panels in the stream next to the World Horti Center
The floating solar panels supply 1 mega watt of energy per year per hectare according to Vincent. “With larger scales in horticulture, water consumption is also increasing. The basins will have to grow along. But it can also be interesting to smaller companies to collectively install solar panels on multiple basins. When co-generation is turned off during the summer, the solar panels supply energy. “The ROI is 5 to 7 years according to Vincent, while they last for about 30 years. Vincent: “Another advantage is that investments in solar energy is eligible for SDE+ subsidy.
Coen Faber (Wepcircular) and Vincent van Daalen (Profloating) sign a cooperation with the intent to use the plastic of the plastic soup for further development of FLOTAR.
At the end of August, beginning of September, the first projects will start. In horticulture, 400 and 600 floating panels will be installed in the region Almere. Vincent: “Abroad, particularly around the equator, the floating panels are very useful. Evaporation is an even bigger problem there, while the sun power will increase the yield.”
Fabian Vermeer (Wattco) and Koos Zuidgeest (Zuidkoop). Koos had a special interest in the plants around the floating solar panels.
For more information:
Profloating
www.profloating.eu
Vincent van Daalen
vincent@profloating.eu