Maldives is now a renewable energy paradise thanks to the successful completion of a floating solar energy system developed by GCL System Integration and Ocean Sun for the Soneva Secret resort.
The floating solar project utilises over 4,200 TOPCon marine floating modules supplied by GCL SI and will provide up to 90% of the resort’s clean electricity to fully replace the original diesel generators.
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The project is estimated to save up to 1 million litres of diesel annually and reduce carbon emissions by more than 2,000 tons, marking a critical step forward for islands and remote communities pursuing economically viable energy independence through clean sources.
Power generation on islands has long relied on diesel gensets, and due to land and roof space constraints, transitioning to and scaling up renewable power projects is difficult and may increase costs and limit economic development for islands.
With the archipelago’s abundant ocean surface space and offshore solar resources, GCL SI leveraged its extensive experience in offshore projects to install waterproof, corrosion-resistant and marine-resistant solutions, including the GCL-NT10/60GT Monocrystalline Module.
Designed to withstand harsh marine environments characterised by high salinity, humidity, ultraviolet exposure, and strong wind and wave conditions, the TOPCon modules have passed multiple stringent certifications from TÜV Rheinland, with power degradation significantly lower than IEC standards, ensuring long-term and reliable system operation.
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By successfully replacing diesel-based generation with marine-adapted photovoltaic systems, the project highlights a scalable pathway toward cleaner and more resilient energy infrastructure for islands.
With hundreds of resort islands in the Maldives alone, and countless more island communities worldwide still reliant on diesel power, the replication potential is substantial.
