SUNdy features a collection of hexagonal floating arrays with about 4,200 solar panels forming a large solar island with a capacity to generate 2MW of solar power.
The concept uses thin-film 560W solar panels which are flexible and lighter than the traditional rigid glass-based modules which will allow them to ripple on the water surface.
Multiple islands of SUNdy can be formed to generate up to 50MW.
The solar arrays are classified into prefabricated sections for large scale manufacturing and streamlined assembly offshore. Floating gangways supported by cable grid provide maintenance access.
Underneath water, the shape of the island is maintained by tensile forces from the lengthy spread mooring.
DNV Clean Technology Center managing director Sanjay Kuttan said that the key to create an ocean-based structure is the use of a tension-only design.
"Rather like a spider’s web, this dynamic, compliant structure yields to the waves, yet is capable of withstanding considerable external loads acting upon it."
DNV KEMA Energy chief operations officer Bjorn Tore Markussen said, "The renewable energy market is rapidly changing due in main part to climate change, soaring global demand for electricity, and diminishing fossil fuels. For DNV, technological innovation is a key element in our strategy to help address these concerns and SUNdy, as an example of our research work, can help illustrate future applications for solar as a truly sustainable resource."
