The Solaqua project has been ongoing since 2012. The first phase (2012-2016) was funded by MCST R&I and established the viability of offshore solar at sea and established the right parameters needed for a successful design. The second phase (2017-2018) focused on the design and simulations and was funded through the Maritime Seed Award and the latest phase, which just finished was funded through a REWS (Regulator for Energy and Water) grant through UM's Research, Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT).

In this phase the design was further developed and scale prototypes where built and tested in wave tanks. Through the support of Malta Film Studios. the last tests were held at their Rinella film tank which is normally used to shoot movies.

The Solaqua team calibrated the wave generators owned by the Rinella facility and then used them to simulate Mediterranean open sea conditions. The project is currently planning its next phase which will be full-size prototype deployment at sea.