Floating Solar Now Powers Maldives' Offshore Island Resorts—Here’s How

GCL System Integration (GCL SI) has announced the successful completion of a joint floating solar project with long-term partner Ocean Sun at the Soneva Secret resort in the Maldives. The project deploys more than 4,200 TOPCon marine floating solar modules supplied by GCL SI and, once fully operational, is expected to meet up to 90 percent of the resort’s electricity demand, enabling the complete replacement of diesel generators.

The floating solar installation is estimated to save nearly one million litres of diesel annually and cut carbon emissions by over 2,000 tonnes. The project represents a significant milestone for island and remote communities seeking economically viable energy independence through clean power solutions.

From Diesel To Solar 

Power generation on islands has traditionally relied on diesel gensets. However, limited land availability and constrained rooftop space make it difficult and costly to scale up renewable energy projects, often restricting broader economic development.

To overcome these challenges and maximise the use of ocean surface area and offshore solar resources, GCL SI leveraged its experience in offshore photovoltaics. Following detailed research and evaluation of marine boundary conditions, the company developed highly waterproof, corrosion-resistant and marine-grade photovoltaic solutions suited to diverse sea environments. This includes the GCL-NT10/60GT monocrystalline module, specifically designed for marine applications.

Harsh Conditions & Solar 

Engineered to withstand harsh marine conditions—such as high salinity, humidity, ultraviolet exposure, and strong wind and wave loads—the TOPCon marine modules incorporate multiple reliability-enhancing features:

• Anti-corrosion frames: Increased frame coating thickness by 5–10 μm and fatigue-resistant design improve durability in high-salt offshore environments.

• Double-coated glass: Enhances resistance to wind and wave stress while reducing water ingress and salt crystallisation, lowering long-term corrosion risk.

• Highly waterproof junction boxes: Provide protection against water and salt spray, while upgraded diode chips improve heat dissipation.

• Dual-layer high-grammage POE encapsulant: Improves moisture resistance, PID protection and UV stability, reducing long-term material degradation.

• Four-buckle connector design: Enhances connection stability and sealing performance, minimising the risk of water ingress and electrical arcing.

The modules have passed multiple stringent TÜV Rheinland certifications, with power degradation levels significantly lower than IEC requirements, ensuring long-term operational reliability.

By replacing diesel-based generation with marine-adapted solar systems, the project highlights a scalable pathway toward cleaner and more resilient energy infrastructure.

With hundreds of resort islands in the Maldives alone—and many more island communities worldwide still dependent on diesel—the replication potential for such floating solar solutions is substantial. The successful deployment at Soneva Secret reinforces floating solar as a practical route to decarbonisation and sustainable development for islands and remote coastal regions globally.