GCL SI Deploys 4,200 Floating Solar Modules in the Maldives to Replace Diesel
Chinese manufacturer GCL System Integration has completed a marine solar project in the Maldives with partner Ocean Sun. The installation aims to cover up to 90% of an island resort’s electricity needs.
| Countries | Chine |
|---|---|
| Sector | Énergie Solaire |
| Theme | Innovation & Transformation |
GCL System Integration (GCL SI) announces the delivery of a floating marine solar project in the Maldives, in partnership with Norwegian company Ocean Sun. The installation, intended for the Soneva Secret resort, includes over 4,200 TOPCon floating modules specifically designed for the marine environment. According to the company, this plant should provide up to 90% of the site’s clean electricity once existing diesel generators are fully replaced.
Fuel Savings and Emissions Reduction
Based on estimates provided by GCL SI, the project would save up to 1 million liters of diesel per year. Carbon emissions reduction would reach more than 2,000 tons annually. These projections remain contingent on the complete decommissioning of current diesel gensets. Island electricity production traditionally relies on these generators, with land and rooftop constraints limiting the deployment of conventional photovoltaic installations.
To address specific marine conditions, GCL SI indicates it developed the GCL-NT10/60GT monocrystalline module. This model incorporates several technical features designed to withstand coastal environments: anti-corrosion frames with reinforced coating thickness of 5 to 10 μm, double-coated glass, waterproof junction boxes, and dual-layer POE (polyolefin elastomer) encapsulant film.
Technical Specifications and Certifications
The modules are designed to withstand high salinity, humidity, ultraviolet exposure, as well as wind and wave conditions. A four-buckle connector system would improve connection stability and reduce water ingress risks. According to the manufacturer, the modules have obtained multiple certifications from TÜV Rheinland, with power degradation below IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standards.
GCL SI highlights the replication potential of this solution for the hundreds of resort islands in the Maldives and island communities worldwide still dependent on diesel. The company presents this project as validation of the technical viability of marine floating solar for isolated territories. The Maldives archipelago, composed of numerous inhabited islands, represents a potential market for this type of installation where usable land surfaces remain limited.
