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SWiM-acknowledged research published on hydrodynamic impacts of floating solar

In October 2025, research acknowledged within SWiM resulted in a peer-reviewed scientific publication investigating the hydrodynamic impacts of floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems co-located with offshore wind farms in the Belgian North Sea. The study contributes new quantitative insights that support SWiM’s ambition to strengthen the scientific basis for integrated offshore renewable energy development.
29/01/2026

New scientific publication on hydrodynamic impacts of FPV systems

In early October 2025, a scientific paper entitled “Hydrodynamic alterations induced by floating solar structures co-located with an offshore wind farm” was published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Marine Science.

The study presents a three-dimensional (3D) modelling approach to quantify hydrodynamic changes associated with the deployment of floating solar panels within an offshore wind farm in the Belgian North Sea. The analysis focuses on key physical variables, including:

  • current speed;
  • bottom shear stress;
  • and turbulent kinetic energy.

The results provide first quantitative insights into how floating solar infrastructure may alter local and regional hydrodynamic conditions when integrated with offshore wind farms.

Although the research was initiated within the framework of the EcoMPV ETF project, SWiM is explicitly acknowledged in the publication as a relevant framework contributing to the broader scientific and policy context of the work.

Read the full paper in Frontiers in Marine Science.

Relevance for SWiM

This scientific publication demonstrates how SWiM-acknowledged research contributes to advancing understanding of the hydrodynamic impacts of multi-use offshore renewable energy systems, supporting integrated assessments of offshore wind and floating solar co-location.