Elevating the impact of floating solar

Floating solar has the potential to transform renewable energy, unlocking vast water surfaces for power generation. However, higher costs and efficiency challenges have limited its widespread adoption.

At SolarSub, our mission is to bridge this gap by enhancing the performance of floating solar through high-performance passive cooling technology. By increasing energy output per square meter, we make floating solar more efficient, more durable, and more cost-competitive with land-based solar.

We believe in a future where floating solar is not just an alternative—but a cornerstone of global renewable energy.

Meet the team

  • CEO and Co-Founder

    (MEng, Electrical and Electronic Engineering) is the CEO and founder of SolarSub, with over four years of professional experience in technical development and project management. He has led SolarSub’s progression to TRL 6 through prior SE SMART projects, overseeing critical testing and development phases. Collaborating with key industry actors, Sebastiaan drives technical de-risking and ensures the integration of advisory board feedback. For future projects, he will lead in-house engineering, guide testing protocols, and maintain alignment with industry needs.

  • COO and Co-Founder

    James Taylor (MA, International Relations w/Quantitative Methods) is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of SolarSub, leading the company’s operational strategy and execution. With a background in sales, business development and policy-making, James plays a key role in driving SolarSub’s mission to enhance the efficiency and viability of floating solar. He oversees business development, strategic partnerships, and the scaling of SolarSub’s technology from R&D to commercial deployment. His expertise and leadership ensure the company’s growth and impact in the renewable energy sector.

Our partners

SE SMART

Exciting News from SolarSub!

We’re thrilled to share that SolarSub has been awarded a Scottish Enterprise SMART grant and an Interface Innovation Voucher, unlocking £100,000 to accelerate the development of our cutting-edge solar cooling system!


TATA Varsity Pitch

We’re proud to share that our COO, James Taylor, recently represented SolarSub at the Tata Group Varsity Pitch Competition as the finalist in the JLR Digital and Technical category!

James’ pitch on our innovative passive cooling system for floating solar panels stood out among the fierce competition, showcasing how our technology can drive efficiency and sustainability in renewable energy. We’re also thrilled to share that our involvement in the TVP was featured in the below WIRED article, highlighting our mission to transform the future of solar energy.

Scottish Young Edge

Last year, we applied to Young Edge with SolarSub, it was the first competition we took part in. However, we didn’t make it back then. That moment taught us a lot about refining our approach through the feedback received.

This year, James Taylor and Sebastiaan Schalkwijk are excited to share that we’ve made it! This milestone is a meaningful step forward for us and for the progress we’ve made with SolarSub.

A huge thank you to Edinburgh Innovations for supporting us throughout this journey. Your support has been invaluable.

Converge Net-Zero Runner Up

We are delighted to announce that SolarSub has progressed to the final stage of the Converge Net-Zero Challenge! The opportunity to receive guidance and training from Entrepreneur Business School Ltd and the Converge team has been invaluable in developing Bas Schalkwijk and James Taylor as founders. To pitch at the final showcase on September 24th is a fantastic opportunity that we are very proud to have achieved.