The most recent Green Team activity involved members of the SolarPower Europe team heading down to the Brussels Canal to take part in a kayak clean-up.
The kayak clean-up is a hands-on initiative that brings local volunteers and visitors together to combat pollution directly in the heart of the city. Each week, new participants paddle along the canal, collecting floating trash that, if left unchecked, would flow into the Scheldt River and ultimately reach the North Sea.
These clean-ups make the visible problem of plastic waste tangible to the public and shed light on other critical, though less obvious, issues like poor water quality and declining biodiversity. Each week, City to Ocean organises kayaking trips where volunteers help remove trash from the canal. These outings not only clean the water but also educate the public on the importance of protecting local waterways.
In October, SolarPower Europe’s Green Team showed up at the project’s docking point to contribute to this inspiring initiative. The kayak clean-up was preceded by a short presentation on City to Ocean's current projects, given by one of the volunteers.
City to Ocean stated that “from early June to mid-August, we analysed 3,500 pieces of litter that participants in our kayaking activity retrieved from the water.”
The team rolled up their sleeves and got to work, all while keeping a good dose of humor and sunshine. The whole endeavor took about an hour and despite facing several obstacles - namely, big ships - the entire team managed to come through this adventure unscathed, collecting an impressive amount of around 20kg of trash, including a fresh leek and a soccer ball!
Clean water provides countless advantages for ecosystems and communities. It supports biodiversity by providing a habitat for plants and animals, many of which depend on clean waterways for survival. Fresh, uncontaminated water is also vital for human health, reducing the spread of waterborne diseases and supporting safe food production. Clean water contributes to the resilience of ecosystems, helping maintain natural processes like nutrient cycling and soil fertility.
At SolarPower Europe, we are committed to supporting initiatives that protect and enrich these vital resources, whether by local initiatives, or through our promotion of floating solar photovoltaics (PV). Floating PV presents a unique opportunity to protect and restore waterways, while boosting economic opportunities and fighting climate change by decarbonising energy.
In the latest Floating PV Best Practice Guidelines, SolarPower Europe stated that “floating PV can minimise any land scarcity risks. Utilising applicable water surfaces such as reservoirs, ponds, and lakes will in turn reduce land competition across different sectors, and help conserve valuable land resources while contributing to overall socio-economic and environmental benefits. FPV can not only improve land efficiency, but also provide water conservation benefits, improve or preserve water quality, reduce environmental impact, and where appropriate, provide the right conditions for wildlife to thrive. In addition, Floating PV can boost the local economy and improve the livelihoods of local citizens by providing energy security, job opportunities, and educational opportunities.”
For further insights, we encourage you to download our Floating PV Best Practice Guidelines. This report compiles expert recommendations and best practices to develop high-quality floating solar PV projects. It serves as an essential handbook for promoting knowledge sharing and advancing the field of floating solar technology.
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