Landatu Solar – SEAMOD

Through the SEAMOD project, Landatu Solar is developing an innovative modular solar platform designed specifically for offshore environments, where it must withstand challenging conditions such as waves, strong winds and corrosion.
Offshore floating solar energy is opening up exciting new possibilities for clean energy generation. By producing renewable electricity at sea, it helps reduce the demand for land while making better use of available marine space.

The Challenge

Landatu Solar was facing one of the major challenges of the energy transition: bringing solar energy to the sea.
Traditional photovoltaic installations are limited by space constraints and can have a significant environmental impact. The marine environment, meanwhile, presents extreme technical challenges, including waves, corrosion, wind, and the complexity of anchoring systems, all of which have hindered large-scale development.

The SEAMOD project was created with the aim of developing a new concept for a robust, modular floating system designed for marine environments, although adaptable to any body of water. The system is capable of supporting photovoltaic panels while minimising the loads generated by waves and adverse weather conditions, without compromising energy efficiency or increasing installation costs.

The Innovation

Landatu Solar has developed a pioneering floating photovoltaic platform based on a modular structure made of a membrane and steel cable mesh, designed to adapt flexibly to marine conditions.

This approach represents a breakthrough compared to current solutions, which often rely on costly metal structures or rigid floating elements.
The SEAMOD design incorporates:

• A tensioned mesh that absorbs wave loads, increasing stability.
• Conventional solar panels with a specific inclination that enables both energy capture and self-cleaning.
• Simple, easily transportable components designed to reduce transport and assembly costs while shortening installation times.
• A scalable concept that can be hybridised with offshore wind energy, opening the door to mixed energy parks.

The project was developed in collaboration with the technology centre TECNALIA, which contributed its expertise in advanced simulation and testing in real marine environments.
A scaled pilot system measuring 6×6 m made it possible to validate the technical feasibility and structural performance of the solution.

The Impact

SEAMOD positions the Basque Country and Landatu Solar as key players in offshore floating solar energy, a new frontier in the transition towards clean energy.

The project is fully aligned with the objectives of the Basque Science, Technology and Innovation Plan, PCTI Euskadi 2030, the European Green Deal, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Its expected impacts include:

• Decarbonising the energy system through clean and competitive marine solar generation.
• Optimising maritime space, freeing up agricultural land and promoting coexistence with offshore wind and aquaculture.
• Driving technological and industrial transfer in the fields of materials, anchoring systems, and smart marine structures.
• Strengthening regional competitiveness and attracting investment in green R&D.

The Result

With the support of Evolution Europe throughout the application and management process, Landatu Solar received a positive resolution under the Hazitek programme, securing a total grant of €85,416.14 across two annual instalments, 2024 and 2025, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, ERDF.

This support recognises the innovative and strategic value of SEAMOD within Europe’s objective of achieving clean, affordable, and sustainable energy.
This funding represents a key step towards the commercial deployment of offshore floating solar energy solutions, marine photovoltaic solutions.