Partners
CRIOBE
TotalEnergies
Floating Photovoltaic System & Coral Association
SolarinBlue is pioneering innovations for the energy transition and the protection of coral reefs in French Polynesia, in partnership with CRIOBE and TotalEnergies.
We are proud to announce the commissioning of a floating solar power plant demonstrator in Tumaraa, French Polynesia, a pioneering project led by the CRIOBE laboratory and TotalEnergies. It is located 350 metres from the coast and combines renewable energy production with the preservation of marine ecosystems.
SolarinBlue has designed and supplied four floating photovoltaic modules (see photo above), each measuring approximately 80 m², which are anchored to the seabed in an environmentally friendly manner. Thanks to our technology, which is lightweight and over 90% recyclable, we minimise the impact on ecosystems whilst maximising solar energy production in the marine environment.
Key figures
- Located 350 metres from the coast
- Estimated annual electricity generation from the four platforms: 57 MWh, representing 1.5% of the electricity consumption of the municipality of Tumaraa
A Dual Challenge: Energy & Environment
This innovation addresses two key challenges:
• Generating around 57 MWh/year of renewable, locally sourced electricity, thereby supporting the energy transition in French Polynesia, which is still 70% dependent on fossil fuels
• Protecting coral reefs from bleaching thanks to the shade provided by the solar panels, an innovative solution for preserving marine biodiversity
Clean Energy to Protect the Oceans
This project, which will run until the end of 2027, will enable the impact of floating solar panels on reefs to be assessed and pave the way for their wider deployment.
Learn more
Floating Photovoltaic and Coral
About CRIOBE
CRIOBE is a research support unit of the École Pratique des Hautes Études, the University of Perpignan Via Domitia and the CNRS, based in Perpignan and French Polynesia, with a representative office in Paris. Its members are committed to building cross-disciplinary knowledge on coral reefs across their ecological, biological, chemical, physiological, genetic, social and cultural dimensions.
About TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies is a global integrated multi-energy company specialising in the production and supply of energy: oil and biofuels, natural gas, biogas and low-carbon hydrogen, renewables and electricity.