Nova Innovation, a leader in tidal energy technology, said it would install the first floating photovoltaic demonstration project in Scotland later this year. The company is currently building a multi-megawatt international pipeline.
Scotland will deploy its first floating photovoltaic system this year as part of efforts to increase renewable energy generation and reduce carbon emissions. Nova Innovation, a leading developer of tidal turbines, has added floating solar to its portfolio and will install the photovoltaic system later this year. The company is currently testing the array at its factory in Edinburgh.
Humza Yousaf, Scotland's chief minister, said during a visit to the production site in the Leith Harbour area of Edinburgh: “These panels give us a glimpse of the opportunities for Scotland's future energy system and are a first step towards developing the enormous potential of floating solar power.”
Nova Innovation installed the world's first marine tidal turbine array on its Shetland in 2016. The company then 2021 # 6.4 M ($8m) from the Scottish National Investment Bank to expand production of innovative renewable energy generators. It has since set up project sites in Canada, France and Indonesia.
“The SIB investment in Nova Innovation will help expand the company's manufacturing base in Lyss and align it with the Scottish Government's priorities to support innovative technologies, which will help us achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045,” Yousaf said, “Scotland is already one of Europe's most advanced centres for testing and demonstrating marine energy technologies and I look forward to seeing solar panels rolled out here in the near future.”
Nova Innovation Chief Executive Simon Forrest said record high energy prices and growing concerns about security of supply had forced Scotland to focus on exploiting its abundant natural resources to develop its own energy sources.
“Scotland is at the heart of the tidal energy revolution, and Nova will continue to lead the way with proven technology and unparalleled reliability,” Forrest said, “Adding floating solar to our portfolio would put us in an ideal position to better drive net zero emissions.”
Nova Innovation said the installation of the floating photovoltaic system would begin later this year. The company claims to have a multi-megawatt international pipeline.