The main challenge for floating solar, particularly in marine environments, is how to handle wave loads in combination with wind. Fred. Olsen 1848 now launches its proprietary solution to this challenge; BOLETTE.
BOLETTE allows the PV modules to move freely and independently within a rope mesh, distributing the forces to the mooring system. As a result, BOLETTE handles both wave and wind loads.
BOLETTE is designed with an integrated solution for operation and maintenance. It is easily scalable and can be tailored to each individual project. All components are easily sourced, and as such, BOLETTE leverages an existing global supply chain and supports a sustainable industry.
“BOLETTE is designed in a very cost-efficient manner to follow the motion of the ocean, even in offshore conditions. We believe BOLETTE’s elegant simplicity is a game-changer unlocking the potential of floating solar”
- Sofie Olsen Jebsen, CEO Fred. Olsen 1848
BOLETTE enters the market at an advanced technological stage, and with a final tank test successfully completed, Fred. Olsen 1848 will install a 150kW pilot in Norway during summer 2023. Following a plan to install a first commercial 3 MW unit in 2024, the aim is to deliver further commercial projects from 2025 and onwards.
BOLETTE in brief
- Radical simplicity makes BOLETTE a cost-efficient solution
- Designed to handle high wave loads in combination with wind
- With sustainability in focus, all components are tagged and can easily be recycled after decommissioning
- Comes with an integrated maintenance solution
- Utilization of existing supply chain allows for flexibility in sourcing and local content maximization
- The design is easily scalable and can be tailored to each individual project
ABOUT FRED. OLSEN 1848
Fred. Olsen 1848 is an innovation and technology company that focuses on development and commercialization of innovative technologies related to renewable energy.
We are a determined and multidisciplinary team with a broad variety of industry experience within the field of renewables, all working towards our goal to make sustainable energy more widely available to help combat climate change.
Innovation and curiosity are our DNA, and our ideas are based on consistent experience and knowledge built up over 175 years of identifying and solving challenges, from when the Fred. Olsen ship owning enterprise commenced in 1848.
The main technologies of Fred. Olsen 1848 are aimed at solving some of the key industry challenges within emerging renewable energies.
Fred. Olsen 1848 is a part of the ecosystem of Fred. Olsen-related companies within renewable energy. One of these companies is Fred. Olsen Renewables (FOR), which is a developer, owner, and operator of renewable energy. FOR is a technology agnostic developer of FPV projects and has over the last three years, together with its key research partner SERIS, taken a leading position for de-risking large-scale FPV projects.