Ocean Sun leading floating solar-desalination demonstrator in Canary Islands

June 17, 2026, by Nadja Skopljak

Norway’s Ocean Sun has secured approximately NOK 2.1 million (around €193,000) in EU funding for a floating solar demonstrator project in La Palma, one of Spain’s Canary Islands.

For illustration purposes (Courtesy of Ocean Sun)

The 310 kWp La Palma demonstrator, located at the port of Tazacorte, will combine renewable energy from an Ocean Sun FPV installation with desalination technologies in an integrated solution.

Ocean Sun is responsible for the design and deployment of the floating solar system, implementation of an automated cleaning solution, and integration of a rainwater collection system for operational use.

According to the company, the demonstrator builds on the technical and operational learning from the BOOST project and represents the next step in the firm’s work to adapt floating solar technology for exposed coastal and island environments.

The demonstrator will provide a relevant test site for further research, validation and operational improvement in exposed conditions, while the integration with a desalination unit will demonstrate a replicable model for island and coastal regions facing high electricity costs and water scarcity, the Norwegian firm reported.

The system is part of the Isla Bonita project, an initiative under the Horizon Europe Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters”, coordinated by Plocan and brings together a consortium of research institutions, industry partners and public authorities to implement demonstration projects across several island regions in Europe.

With an overall EU contribution of approximately €13.5 million, the project aims to accelerate the transition towards sustainable, climate-resilient island communities by deploying and scaling innovative ocean- and water-related solutions.