SolAqua, a project to study and test the technical and financial feasibility of floating solar panels, was launched by the university today. Research started last year.

The €200,000 three-year Malta Council for Science and Technology project is led by Luciano Mule’ Stagno of the Institute for Sustainable Energy with industrial partners Pandia Energy Ltd. and General Membrane Ltd.

If the system is durable and able to withstand all kinds of weather and the cost of the system is comparable to what it would cost to build a system on land, it could make a floating solar farm viable.

The reflection of the water surface and the cooling effect of the sea could also increase yield.

In its first phase, the project will be testing a prototype consisting of rafts with flexible panels. This system uses patented technology in the way the panels are attached to the raft. In phase 2 and 3 the project will be testing propriety designs, some of which are in the process of being patented and prototypes will be launched next year.

While there are several floating photovoltaic systems currently around the world, the one just launched is possibly the first in open sea putting Malta at the forefront of this area of research.