Scotland’s first floating solar panels to be launched this year

The first floating solar panels in Scotland will be installed this year as part of an effort to use the tech to reduce carbon emissions. 

Currently being tested at a facility in Leith before they are put into action, the panels are made by Nova Innovation who showed First Minister Humza Yousaf round the manufacturing facility.

A floating solar array at a winery in California

FM 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. 

‘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.’ 

Nova Innovation has previously installed the world’s first offshore tidal turbine array in Scotland and received a £6.4m investment from the Scottish National Investment Bank in 2021, allowing the company to expand its manufacturing base. 

A ‘multi-megawatt international order’ of the solar panel tech is already in the works ahead of its official launch later this year. 

The tech was touted by Mr Yousaf as playing a role in the Scottish Government’s aim of achieving net zero emissions by 2045, ahead of the UK government’s 2050 target. 

Nova Innovation Chief Executive Simon Forrest 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.’

The tidal energy company also has project sites in Canada, France and Indonesia.

Many other authorities have also touted solar panel tech as both a way of reaching carbon emissions targets and saving on energy costs with North East Derbyshire District Council recently installing 200 panels on a local sports centre and Nottingham launching a pilot EV charging scheme using solar powered batteries.

Photo by SPG Solar, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons