The SolarinThau project, which combines photovoltaic power generation with oyster farming, aims to test a new model that balances the energy transition, the preservation of maritime activities, and the sustainable development of the shellfish farming sector.
From pv magazine France
A French consortium has deployed a prototype floating solar shellfish farming platform combining photovoltaic power generation with oyster farming. Measuring 53 metres long and 18 metres wide, the structure has been deployed in the heart of Thau Lagoon, in southern France, alongside existing shellfish farming installations.
Through this demonstrator, the project aims to develop new models supporting the future of the local shellfish industry while addressing regional energy and environmental challenges. Thau Lagoon’s shellfish sector produces more than 10,000 tonnes of oysters and mussels annually, relies on 2,781 farming platforms, and supports over 1,500 jobs.
Designed to withstand waves exceeding 12 metres and cyclonic winds of up to 200 km/h, the installation will undergo an 18-month trial phase from July 2026 to December 2027. This period corresponds to a full oyster farming cycle, enabling the evaluation of the prototype’s technical, environmental and economic performance under real operating conditions.
