The Philippines first 200kw floating solar power project by Ocean Sun, a 
leading solar energy company based in Norway, was recently switched on. The 
joint project is part of the partnership between Ocean Sun and GCL-SI, the 
leading provider of modules used for the construction of the floating solar 
facility. The pilot facility is the first non-hydro project of SN Aboitiz 
Power-Magat (SNAP), one of the Philippines' leading renewable energy companies. 

https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190715/2524445-1

Located in the 1,170-hectare Magat reservoir, the purpose-built facility has 
been designed to withstand disruptive weather conditions and strong typhoons. 
The project will go through a pilot test lasting for ten months, and will 
initially serve house load requirements of SNAP's Magat hydro. If successful, 
SNAP will look into scaling up the project so that the power generated may 
contribute to its renewable energy capacity and to the country's energy 
security.

Eric Luo, Chairman of GCL-SI, said, "GCL has been an active player in the 
development of cost-effective renewable energy on a global scale. The 
cooperation with Ocean Sun on this ground-breaking project in the Philippines 
once again emphasizes the trust we have won from our global partners." 

As new opportunity-creating technology, floating solar facilities - the 
installation of photovoltaic panels on the body of water - are seen as the 
advantage for countries where land is in high demand. Alfonso Cusi, Secretary 
for the Department of Energy of the Philippines, noted that the potential of 
floating solar would provide a much-needed boost to the energy supply as the 
country demand for power reaches 11,000MW. 

Through an agreement between Ocean Sun and GCL-SI at Shanghai SNEC, the two 
companies have co-operated on the development of PV modules for floating PV 
solutions and floating solar facilities. GCL-SI will further strengthen its 
research and development into high-efficiency products, supporting Ocean Sun 
for the construction of solar energy facilities to match the rapid economic 
growth and ever-increasing demand for renewable energy in the Philippines.

"Establishing a partnership with GCL is a major milestone for Ocean Sun, and 
will enable optimisation of the technology for large scale deployment.We are 
very pleased with having GCL as a partner, and look forward to taking floating 
solar to the next level," said Oyvind Rohn, CEO and Borge Bjorneklett, Chairman 
and CTO of Ocean Sun.

SOURCE  GCL System