GCL System Integration has announced the successful completion of its joint floating solar energy project with long-term partner Ocean Sun at the Soneva Secret resort in the Maldives.
The site utilises more than 4,200 TOPCon marine floating modules supplied by GCL SI and will provide up to 90% of the resort's clean electricity upon completion, fully replacing the original diesel generators.
The project is estimated to save up to one million litres of diesel annually and reduce carbon emissions by more than 2,000t, marking a step forward for islands and remote communities that are pursuing economically viable energy independence through clean sources.
Power generation on islands has traditionally relied on diesel gensets, but owing to land and roof space constraints, the transition to and scaling up of renewable power projects is difficult, and may increase costs and limit economic development for islands.
To maximise the utilisation of ocean surface space and offshore solar resources, and to address the constraints of photovoltaic power station construction on land, GCL SI offered highly waterproof, corrosion-resistant and marine-resistant solutions tailored to diverse sea conditions, including the GCL-NT10/60GT Monocrystalline Module specifically developed for marine application.
The design included anti-corrosion frames with an enhanced frame coating thickness; fatigue-resistant design (to improve durability and corrosion resistance); double-coated glass to strengthen resistance to wind and wave loads; strongly waterproof junction boxes; heavyweight dual-layer POE (polyolefin elastomer) encapsulating film; a four-buckle connector design to Improve connection stability and sealing; and multiple certifications from TÜV Rheinland, with power degradation significantly lower than International Electrotechnical Commission standards.
The successful deployment of the GCL modules is believed to indicate a practical path towards cleaner, more resilient energy systems for islands and remote coastal regions globally.
