When we think of Italy, ancient architectural wonders like Pompeii and the Coliseum come to mind. Soon there may be a notable modern construction floating in the Mediterranean: a 540 megawatt hybrid solar+wind farm designed by SolarDuck.
SolarDuck is a spin-off of Damen Shipyards, a major shipbuilder in the Netherlands. It’s tapped into that knowledge to design elevated solar platforms made of offshore-grade aluminum that sit 10 feet (3 meters) off the water to withstand rough waters. The elevation also reduces salt deposits on the solar panels. (Floating solar farms on lakes and ponds tend to sit directly on the water.)
The triangular floating platforms are modular, so they can be connected to form large plants. Plus, the platforms have slip-resistant walkways and fences for access and maintenance.
https://electrek.co/2024/03/01/italy-hybrid-floating-solar-floating-wind-farm/
In 2023, Italy improved its climate goals to align with the European Union. Now they aim to have 65 percent of renewable electricity by 2030. This solar+wind project is expected to come online in 2028.
Darcy Hitchcock 