Categories: News

Scotland’s first floating solar panels set to be installed this month

The project is part of plans to generate renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions.

First Minister Humza Yousaf toured Nova Innovation in Leith, Edinburgh, where the panels are being tested ahead of their launch later this month.

Mr Yousaf said: “These panels give a fascinating glimpse into the opportunities for Scotland’s future energy system and are the first step towards harnessing our significant potential for floating solar.”

Nova Innovation installed the world’s first offshore tidal turbine array off the coast of Shetland in 2016.

The company subsequently received £6.4m from the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) in 2021 to help boost its production of innovative renewable energy generators.

It has since established project sites in Canada, France and Indonesia.
The first minister said: “The investment by the Scottish National Investment Bank in Nova Innovation helped expand its manufacturing base here in Leith and aligned strongly with the Scottish government’s priority of supporting innovative technology that will help us achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045.

“Scotland is already one of the most advanced hubs in Europe for the testing and demonstration of marine energy technology and I look forward to seeing where the panels will be launched in the near future.”

The official launch of the installation will take place later this year with a multi-megawatt international order already reportedly in the pipeline.

Simon Forrest, chief executive of Nova Innovation, said: “With record-high energy prices and growing concerns over security of supply, there is an immediate need for Scotland to focus on homegrown energy from our abundant natural resources.

“Scotland is at the heart of the tidal energy revolution and Nova continues to lead the sector with proven technology and unrivalled reliability. With the addition of floating solar to our portfolio, we are ideally placed to help drive the race to net zero.

“We were honoured to welcome the first minister to discuss the economic benefits, job creation opportunities and the part Scotland can play in the global supply for renewable energy.”

electrichome

Recent Posts

Source partners with Octopus Electroverse to expand EV charging access across UK

EV charging operator Source has teamed up with Octopus Electroverse, giving drivers access to its…

1 week ago

Aira secures €150m to accelerate Europe’s switch from gas boilers to heat pumps

Clean energy-tech firm Aira has raised €150m from existing investors to expand heat pump production,…

1 week ago

Elon Musk’s Tesla applies for licence to supply electricity to British homes

Tesla has applied to Ofgem for a licence to supply electricity to homes and businesses…

1 week ago

Kent’s new all-electric town to power homes and feed renewable energy back to the grid

Otterpool Park in Kent will feature 8,500 solar-powered homes with batteries and EV chargers, generating…

2 weeks ago

Mega solar farms built on England’s best farmland, CPRE warns, as charity urges rooftop-first solar strategy

Nearly two-thirds of England’s largest solar farms have been built on productive agricultural land, with…

1 month ago

Thomas Telford UTC cuts energy bills by 66% and turns rooftop solar into powerful teaching tool

Thomas Telford UTC cuts electricity costs by 66% with a DC-optimised rooftop solar system, turning…

1 month ago