Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Offshore Floating Solar PV
The Diploma in Offshore Floating Solar PV Prepares you to design and evaluate offshore floating solar PV projects, a technology now moving from reservoirs and lakes into coastal waters and the open sea. You will study the marine s
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts9 November
Places20 / 20
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Offshore Floating Solar PV?
The Diploma in Offshore Floating Solar PV
Prepares you to design and evaluate offshore floating solar PV projects, a technology now moving from reservoirs and lakes into coastal waters and the open sea. You will study the marine solar resource, float and structure types, mooring systems, behaviour in waves, corrosion, electrical infrastructure and operations, with a realistic view of a marine technology that is still at the demonstration stage.
Key advantages
- A growing technology: From freshwater to the marine environment, and the new challenges that brings.
- Applied engineering: Floats, moorings, loads and electrical systems.
- The real marine environment: Waves, corrosion, biofouling and storms.
- An integrated view: Floating solar on its own or combined with offshore wind and aquaculture.
- Case study: Preliminary design of a coastal floating solar plant.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Programme highlights
- Assess the resource: Analyse solar radiation and metocean conditions.
- Choose the structure: Compare floats, membranes and platforms.
- Design the mooring: Size mooring lines and anchors.
- Connect the plant: Design the marine electrical infrastructure.
- Boost your career: Open doors to solar developers, offshore engineering firms and consultancies.
- Train to take solar power out to sea with sound engineering judgement and realism.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
From Reservoirs to the Sea
- How floating solar has evolved
- Advantages over land-based solar
- Differences between freshwater and the sea
- Sheltered, coastal and open-sea sites
- State of marine development
- Demonstration projects
- The value chain
- Outstanding technical challenges
02
Solar Resource and Metocean Conditions
- Solar radiation over the sea
- The cooling effect of water
- Design wind and waves
- Currents and tides
- Extreme conditions
- Data sources and reanalyses
- Energy yield estimation
- Losses from motion and soiling
03
Floats and Structures
- Modular polyethylene floats
- Flexible membranes
- Rigid platforms
- Semi-submersible structures
- Materials for the marine environment
- Hydrodynamic behaviour
- Fatigue and connections
- Design standards and guidelines
04
Mooring and Anchoring
- Types of mooring system
- Anchors, piles and deadweights
- Mooring lines and materials
- Load calculation
- Dynamic analysis
- Mooring in shallow and deep water
- Mooring installation
- Mooring line inspection
05
Marine Electrical Systems
- Modules for the marine environment
- Inverters and combiner boxes
- Floating and dynamic cabling
- Corrosion protection
- Earthing and electrical safety
- Connection to the grid or local loads
- Associated storage
- Plant monitoring
06
Operation, Maintenance and Hybridisation
- Corrosion and biofouling
- Module cleaning
- Drone inspection
- Access and personnel safety
- Managing storms
- Hybridisation with offshore wind
- Integration with aquaculture
- Self-supply for ports and islands
07
Environment, Economics and Consenting
- Shading and the marine ecosystem
- Effects on water quality
- Birds and marine fauna
- Coexistence with other uses
- Marine spatial planning
- Capital and operating costs
- Levelised cost of energy
- Consenting marine projects
08
Case Study: Designing a Coastal Floating Solar Plant
- Site selection
- Resource and metocean analysis
- Choice of floating technology
- Mooring design
- Electrical design
- Energy yield estimate
- Environmental and economic analysis
- Conclusions and presentation
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Industrial, electrical, naval or civil engineers: who want to specialise in floating solar Solar PV professionals: looking to move into the marine environment Offshore wind specialists: exploring hybridisation with solar Energy and environmental consultants: who assess coastal projects Aquaculture and port professionals: interested in self-supply from floating solar
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Assess the marine solar resource
- 02Understand floating technologies
- 03Design the mooring
- 04Design the electrical system
- 05Plan operations
- 06Assess feasibility
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Floating solar project engineer: Plant design on reservoirs and at sea.
02Mooring and floating structures engineer: Offshore engineering firms.
03Resource and yield analyst: Energy studies.
04Operations and maintenance technician: Managing floating plants.
05Marine renewables consultant: Feasibility and consenting.
06Business development manager: Developers and utilities.
Questions
Entry Requirements
On reservoirs and lakes, yes; at sea there are demonstration projects and early plants in sheltered waters, but open-sea floating solar is still under development.
Yes. You study wind, wave and current loads and the preliminary sizing of mooring lines.
Yes. Hybridisation and the use of space between wind turbines are analysed.
It is not essential, although it helps; the necessary fundamentals are reviewed.
The preliminary design of a floating solar plant at a real coastal site.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 800 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Diploma in Offshore Floating Solar PV qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: A degree in industrial, electrical, naval, civil or energy engineering or a related field; or professional experience in the solar, offshore wind or port sector. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave your details and admissions will write back. If you already know this is the one, go straight to the application and pay in the same session.