Ocean Sun was established in 2016 by Børge Bjørneklett, Øyvind Rohn and Arnt Emil Ingulstad. The company is based on an invention made by Bjørneklett. Ocean Sun has further developed the invention and offers an efficient, affordable and durable solution for floating solar energy. It consists of modified solar cell modules that are installed on a flexible, floating membrane.
The technology makes it possible to have a lower cell temperature through direct thermal contact with the water through the membrane. Systems can thus be built with low investment costs and with the best energy yield in the industry. All the parts in the solution are also made from environmentally friendly materials that have a minimal CO2 footprint.
Since 2016, Ocean Sun has done extensive research and experimentation in basin laboratory to test and further develop the technology. They have also built test systems for large waves and tough sea conditions both in Western Norway, in the Johur Strait in Singapore and the Magat Dam in the north of the Philippines. The testing has gone excellently, and the technology shows over 10% higher energy yield with the water-cooled solar cells.
Ocean Sun has also built full scale demonstration plants in Albania, China and Spain.
– The market for floating solar is growing strongly worldwide, and thus there is also great competition to develop the best technology. We have patented our technology and use the patents actively to enter into license agreements with developers of power plants, as well as to avoid copying. The license income provides the opportunity to further develop the technology so that we always have the best system.
Børge Bjørneklett
Patents are essential for cooperation agreements and to prevent copying
Ocean Sun AS has an IPR portfolio with a number of patents and patent applications in all the most important markets. The Norwegian priority application has been notified (Norwegian patent 343405), and the company has been granted several European patents. They also have a European design registration for the system. In addition, they have registered the logo as a trademark.
Founder Børge Bjørneklett has experience as an inventor, and wrote the first patent application himself, which he later transferred to Ocean Sun. Since then, they have received assistance from the proxy office Zacco to continue and extend the rights.
The patent rights are crucial in order to be able to enter into the necessary agreements with partners who will produce the products and ensure that they are introduced to the large markets.
Licensing agreements provide rapid growth
Ocean Sun does not have the capital or resources to build floating solar power plants worldwide. To quickly enter more markets, they have license agreements with power suppliers or EPC companies (Engineering, Procurement and Contracting). They collaborate with these industrial partners on all necessary components in the customer projects. Ocean Sun offers license agreements where developers and independent power producers are allowed to use their patents for their own projects. In this way, they can realise solutions for the floating solar industry that provide the most energy possible at the lowest possible costs, so-called levelized cost of energy (LCOE).
Patent dispute, settlement and licencing
Ocean Sun commenced legal proceedings in Norway against Inseanergy AS (now Alotta AS) in august 2022, claiming Inseanergy's solution for floating solar power infringed upon Ocean Sun's patent rights. Ocean Sun is the holder of exclusive patent rights to a solution for floating solar power in Norway, as well as in a number of other jurisdictions. Inseanergy disputed the infringement claim and filed a counterclaim to revoke Ocean Sun's patent. The lawsuit was scheduled to be heard by Oslo District Court over four days, from 13 to 16 March 2023. In addition, Inseanergy filed notice of opposition to the European Patent Office against the validity of Ocean Sun's European Patent.
Few days before the Cort meetings, the parties reached a settlement agreement, following which the parties entered into a licence agreement on commercial terms. The agreement concerned the patent in dispute as well as other related patents and patent applications, and was not limited to Norway, but covered all jurisdictions where the patents are in force or applied for. Inseanergy thus acknowledged Ocean Sun's patent rights, while the agreement also ensured Inseanergy full freedom to operate. As part of the agreement Inseanergy/Alotta withdrew the notice of opposition to the European Patent Office.
Following the settlement of the patent dispute, Ocean Sun and Alotta entered into a cooperation agreement to supply green energy systems based on Ocean Sun’s floating PV technology to the aquaculture industry worldwide.
Although notice of opposition to the European Patent Office had been withdrawn, the European Patent Office called for a new hearing about the Ocean Sun patent on their own initiative in 2024. However, upon dialogue, the patents were successfully defended and remains valid today.
Based on the Ocean Sun technology, Alotta has successfully built floating solar power plants for fish farms both in Norway and Chile. Recently, the Norwegian State Enterprise, Enova, has also decided to support floating solar power at fish farms.
