A French company has launched a new honeycomb floating solar system built for 30 years of durability and higher efficiency on water surfaces.
A French solar innovation has introduced a honeycomb-inspired floating system designed to enhance performance and efficiency in large-scale photovoltaic projects.Sainghin-en-Mélantois-based Ciel & Terre, the company that pioneered floating solar with its Hydrelio system 15 years ago, marked a new step in the evolution of large-scale floating PV systems by launching their latest technology called Fusio .
The platform reportedly applies principles borrowed from structural engineering in bridges and skyscrapers and uses a triangular honeycomb structure for superior stability and load distribution. The system increases airflow beneath the modules by elevating the solar panels and reducing the float footprint. Thus natural cooling effect can increase energy output by up to 2 percent in warm climates.“In partnership with the CEA, we are developing a numerical model to estimate this gain with greater precision based on your site’s characteristics,” Ciel & Terre pointed out. Next-gen floating systemsAccording to the company, which was founded in 2006 by Alexis Gaveau and Bernard Prouvost, the improvement might seem small on paper but can lead to significant energy gains across gigawatt-scale installations.Designed for flexibility and scalability, the system supports standard photovoltaic modules of up to 800 watts-peak and offers tilt angles of five and 12 degrees. This makes it easily adaptable to a wide range of environmental and geographic conditions.In addition, its modular setup allows floating solar farms to expand seamlessly, from local reservoirs to utility-scale water bodies.The system boasts a low float footprint.Credit: Ciel and TerreThe system is also cost efficient due to its compact triangular float design which reduces transportation and installation costs. An optimized production process shortens lead times. Meanwhile, the team streamlined on-site assembly to enable faster deployment and reduce project downtime.Ciel & Terre revealed that the unique design also simplifies maintenance through a catamaran-based navigation system that allows operators to move safely across the floating structure. This provides easy access to all PV panels, inverters and cabling without requiring operators to walk on the array. Integrated cleaning systems further streamline maintenance and help sustain optimal plant performance over time. A new step in solar techTo test the system’s durability, Ciel & Terre engineers subjected it to wave fatigue, traction, compression and various stability tests, complemented by hydrodynamic and CFD simulations to assess its performance under extreme conditions.Fusio’s floats are made from UV-stabilized high-density polyethylene . This is the same material used in drinking-water reservoirs. The floats are built to withstand typhoon-level winds and nearshore conditions for up to 30 years.The company stated that it manages every stage, from conceptualization to market deployment, by addressing technical challenges and applying best practices to deliver effective solutions.“The triangular shape of the Fusio structure draws inspiration from major principles of engineering and architecture ,” the company said. “It is the most stable and resilient geometric form to withstand external forces.”The first 100 kilowatt-peak Fusio pilot was completed in India in 2022 on a hydro-dam site. In addition, a larger 4.3 megawatt-peak project is now under construction in India. Ciel & Terre plans to complete the project by the third quarter of 2025.Backed by the European Commission’s Innovation Fund, the firm is also planning a new Fusio installation in Belgium. The project is part of the company’s broader effort to expand renewable energy generation on water surfaces across Europe.
Energy &Amp Environment Floating Solar Plant France Fusio Honeycomb Energy Inventions And Machines Photovoltaic Power Sustainability
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