Could you tell us how SolarDuck got started?
“I was involved from the very beginning – You could say I’m actually the originator of the idea. I graduated in aerospace engineering but always had a strong interest in solar energy. In 2008, I joined Damen Shipyards on the team of Don Hoogendoorn, who is now our CTO. That’s where we started pondering whether we could combine solar energy with maritime engineering.
Along with our CEO Koen Burgers and three others – Ewoud Huiskamp, Harry Post, Don Hoogendoorn,– we spent many evenings hashing out product ideas and potential markets over a year or even two. Just before I moved to Japan in late March 2019, we officially founded SolarDuck, without initial funding. I relocated to Japan, learned the language, and began business development. Gradually, the other founders were able to dedicate more time to the startup.
We later secured early‑stage funding from a Norwegian accelerator aimed at making startups investor‑ready. That effort taught us how to define our vision and investor pitch. Soon after, we closed our first major round of financing.”
You’re based in Japan. How do you manage running an international startup from there?
“Being based in Japan presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, it puts me close to one of our key markets, allowing direct engagement with local stakeholders, regulators, and partners. Learning the language and understanding the cultural nuances have been crucial to building trust and navigating the complex Japanese energy sector.
At the same time, managing a company with core operations in Rotterdam means frequent travel and reliance on digital communication tools to stay connected with the team. The time difference requires careful scheduling, but technology like video conferencing and cloud collaboration makes it possible. I also serve as a bridge between the European and Asian markets, helping to align strategy and operations across regions.
Living and working in Japan has deepened my perspective on the energy transition challenges in Asia, which differ in scale and regulation from Europe. This on-the-ground presence strengthens our ability to tailor solutions specifically for the Japanese market and neighboring countries.”
What challenges did you face in combining solar energy with marine environments?
“Solar energy has become remarkably cheaper and more widespread, but it still demands significant land – not all countries have enough. Floating solar on inland water bodies like lakes began to appear some years ago, starting in Japan and followed specifically by China and the Netherlands, but our ambition went further. We see the sea as the next frontier, similar to the trajectory of offshore wind.
Countries like Italy, Malta, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, and China are interested in solar on the sea. Our solution addresses two key needs: delivering cost‑competitive solar energy long term, and offering a system that can generate power 24/7 at sea via solar panels plus integrated batteries.”
We’re now active in the Netherlands, Japan, and several other countries. In Australia, we're exploring offshore power provisioning; in Japan, the focus is large‑scale generation. Our revenue comes from engineering studies and platform sales, targeting large energy firms and industrial players. While our core team operates from Rotterdam, we travel frequently to where traction and market demand are highest.”
What role does government support play?
“A major part of our work involves convincing local and central governments to support this solution, often necessitating regulatory changes for offshore floating solar. We work on both technology development and market readiness. In the early stages of development, we see subsidy support as essential to deploy this new technology. Developed countries are most likely to fund these initiatives.
In Asia, Japan stands out due to its land scarcity and urgent need for renewable energy post-Fukushima. Though behind in some respects, Japan is ramping up bottom fixed and floating offshore wind and solar. Since wind and solar complement each other, there’s significant synergy. In inland seas – where wave heights are modest – deployment becomes more cost‑effective.”
What sets SolarDuck’s technology apart?
“Our design elevates the solar panels well above the water surface. Many systems keep panels just above water, risking saltwater exposure. Our triangular platforms (30 by 30 by 30 meters ) rest on three pontoons, minimizing contact with seawater and reducing biofouling like algae and mussels.
Connecting multiple triangles creates a flexible “carpet on water” that’s robust and scalable. Plus, elevated solar panels benefit from natural cooling and increased albedo, boosting efficiency. High‑efficiency, bifacial solar panels are used to maximize output.”
We’ve raised over €20 million intentionally to support piloting and early‑stage deployment – funds which mainly come from institutional and regional investors. Recent projects include a river based project in the Netherlands, Japan’s first offshore floating solar plant and the “Merganser” pilot project in the North Sea, . Next we are actively working on projects in Italy, the Netherlands, Malaysia and elsewhere, which total to a pipeline exceeding 3.5 GWp. Our aim is to deploy over 1 GW of offshore solar electricity annually by 2035.”
How important is visibility and public acceptance?
“Public acceptance is vital. We need societal support for deploying offshore systems. Major events – like the Expo – help us gain visibility, especially in Japan, which we view as the key regional market. Beyond Japan, markets like China, Taiwan, Korea, India, and Bangladesh are significant opportunities. To be partially based in Japan, and to now be able to interact directly with the Japanese public through Expo, has been a great opportunity. We’re proud to be part of the Netherlands pavilion!”