Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf got a first look at an innovative floating solar project on Monday as the country looks to install more renewable energy systems to cut its carbon emissions.
Floating solar uses an array of pv solar panels mounted on a structure that floats on water rather than land to generate energy from one of the world’s most preeminent natural resources; the sun.
Scotland’s first “floatovoltaic” project is currently being tested by a tidal energy company based in Leith, Edinburgh called Nova Innovation.
Yousaf visited the site to see how the project was progressing ahead of a planned installation on water in late 2023.
Nova Installation is currently working on a range of renewable energy generators after receiving a multi-million-pound investment from the Scottish National Investment Bank two years ago.
Yousaf believes the latest work is vital as Scotland attempts to create innovative technology to support its goal of reducing its carbon emissions to “net zero” by 2045.
The exact location for the floating solar panel system has yet to be decided, but it will be installed before the end of the year.
Nova Innovation’s chief executive, Simon Forrest, also reminded homeowners and businesses about the importance of switching to solar power amid soaring energy prices.
He noted: “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.”
That is true south of the border too, after the UK government outlined plans to invest around £18bn in low and zero-carbon technologies to power the sustainable energy systems of the future.
