First floating solar panels in the sea
26 August 2019, Maldives - A technological breakthrough changes the perspective on renewable energy - the world´s largest solar system floating at sea has been installed at LUX* South Ari Atoll. This unique technology called SolarSea gathers solar energy directly on the ocean to power the island in an eco-friendly fashion.
As part of the resort’s commitment to sustainability, LUX* South Ari Atoll has pledged to minimize carbon dioxide emissions. To achieve this goal, the five-star luxury resort partnered with the leading solar provider Swimsol, an Austrian-Maldivian company, which provided a solution to overcome the limited space available for solar panels on small tropical islands. Consequently, Swimsol developed the first and only patented floating solar system that is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the waves, storms and saltwater.
“Innovation is key to achieving true sustainability, and we are happy to partner with Swimsol to work towards our goal of minimizing our ecological footprint. As one of the biggest resort islands in the Maldives, we aim to lead the way with eco-tourism and marine conservation work in our region as part of our commitment to good governance, social responsibility and respect for environmental standards”, said Jonas Amstad, General Manager at LUX* South Ari Atoll.
The resort is already using a rooftop system with the same solar company. Once all suitable roofs were covered with solar panels, the resort decided to expand beyond the shoreline with twelve SolarSea platforms. Thereby the solar capacity increased by 40% and reached 678 kWp, enough to power all guest villas with solar energy during the peak sun hours. The result is cheaper energy and a saving of more than 260,000 litres of diesel per year that previously were needed to produce the same amount of electricity with combustion engines. Additionally, guests can follow a live “solar tracker” on their in-villas IPTV that will indicate the energy produced, diesel saved as well as the equivalent of carbon dioxide emissions savings to offset the number of long-haul flights.
The ocean benefits as well - the platforms provide shelter for juvenile fish and invertebrates, acting like fish-aggregating devices. To avoid any negative effects, the platforms float above the sandy seabed, avoiding the coral reefs. Free-swimming coral larvae can even use the platforms to grow into adult colonies, which can then be replanted on the ocean floor.
Today, the combined rooftop and SolarSea system at LUX* South Ari Atoll is one of the largest solar installations in the country. Plans to further increase the solar capacity are already underway.
Hussain Simad, Managing Director at Swimsol Maldives, has big plans. He said, “Swimsol is the only company with this patented technology in the world right now and our goal is to enable every island to run purely on solar energy. It is a fantastic opportunity to work with LUX* South Ari Atoll to achieve this with their immense support and passionate enthusiasm in making a difference.”
The Swimsol team is excited to play a part in eco-tourism
Following in the steps of its parent company, The Lux Collective, of which the purpose is to make each moment matter and to care about what matters, LUX* South Ari Atoll is committed to contributing in any way, big or small, to make eco-tourism a success in the Maldives.
Read more on the latest news and happenings in The Lux Collective’s Media Centre.
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Size: 0.18 MB Type: jpg Resolution: 1379x775About The Lux Collective
The Lux Collective is a global hotel operator headquartered in Singapore and manages brands LUX*, SALT, Tamassa, SOCIO and Café LUX*. Other properties managed by The Lux Collective include Hotel Le Recif, Reunion Island as well as Ile des Deux Cocos, Mauritius, a private paradise island. Successful hospitality experiences are created through hard work, passion and the collaboration of people with diverse skills. The Lux Collective work together with some of the most passionate and creative thinkers and doers. Together with their team members, stakeholders, vendors and partners, they create and deliver some of the leading hospitality experiences in the world. Putting people first is the core of their culture as well as staying true to its values of being passionate, responsible and innovative in all that they do. The Lux Collective make each moment matter by caring about what matters.
An affiliate member of IBL, a major economic player in the Indian Ocean, and a leader of the “TOP 100” Mauritian companies, IBL is active in key sectors of the Mauritian economy, representing a portfolio of approximately 300 subsidiaries and associated companies.
The Lux Collective currently owns and/or manages:
LUX* Resorts & Hotels
Mauritius: LUX* Grand Gaube Resort & Villas, LUX* Belle Mare Resort & Villas, LUX* Le Morne Resort and LUX* Grand Baie Resort & Residences (opening 2020)
Maldives: LUX*North Male Atoll Resort & Villas and LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas
Ile de la Reunion: LUX* Saint Gilles Resort
Turkey: LUX* Bodrum Resort & Residences
China: LUX* Tea Horse Road Lijiang, LUX* Tea Horse Road Benzilan, LUX* Tea Horse Road Dali (opening mid 2020), LUX* Zhuhai (opening 2020) and LUX* Luxelakes, Chengdu (opening 2022)
Vietnam: LUX* Phu Quoc (opening 2020)
France: LUX* La Baraquette (opening 2021)
Italy: LUX* Tuscany (opening 2021)
UAE: LUX* Al Zorah, Ajman (opening 2021)
SALT Resorts
Mauritius: SALT of Palmar
China: SALT of Wolong, Sichuan (opening 2020)
Tamassa
Mauritius: Tamassa Bel Ombre
SOCIO
Mauritius: SOCIO Trianon (opening 2021)
About LUX* Resorts & Hotels
LUX* Resorts & Hotels helps people to celebrate life by delivering consistently on the promise of a different kind of luxury; hospitality that is Lighter. Brighter. LUX* stages exceptional experiences in different locales – whether on the Beach, in the City or in Nature – by banishing thoughtless patterns and being more simple, fresh and sensory than our competitors.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
The Lux Collective Grace Lee Vice President of Public Relations Email: [email protected] Telephone: +65 6955 1530 |
GHC Asia Wendy Wang Senior Account Manager – Southeast Asia Email: [email protected] Telephone: +65 6723 8124
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LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas Mona Sedghi Cluster PR & Communications Manager Email: [email protected] |
Justin Fischer Senior Account Manager – China Email: [email protected] Telephone: +86 21 5213 3030 Ext. 104
Nancy Ho Senior Account Manager – Hong Kong Email: [email protected] Telephone: +852 3163 0179
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