Norwegian floating solar specialist Ocean Sun has signed an agreement to license its proprietary floating solar technology to the developer Sunneng Technology for the construction of a 1MWp pilot in China’s Province of Shandong.

The project, involving a nearshore demonstration in Yantai, has been fully funded by a Beijing-based energy investment fund String Capital, Ocean Sun informed.

The construction of the floating solar demonstrator that will be located a few hundred meters from shore is planned to begin later in 2021.

The local conditions are well suited for the Ocean Sun solution, with sea conditions comparable with that of Norway, according to the company.

Børge Bjørneklett, CEO and founder of Ocean Sun, said: “We are pleased to enter this license agreement, which we hope will be the first of many in the Chinese market. China is today perhaps the most important market for floating solar and this first nearshore demonstration system will create the local awareness and qualification for future utility-scale installations on seawater”.

Ocean Sun’s patented technology is based on solar modules mounted on hydro-elastic membranes.

According to the company, there will be substantial potential for future utility-scale projects in the country with the support from the Yantai Economic and Technological Development Zone.

Zhang Hui, CEO and founder of Sunneng Technology, said: “After a year of close discussions, we are ready to start the construction of our Ocean Sun pilot project. Sunneng expects this cooperation to be both long term and rewarding for the involved parties”.