Floating Photovoltaic System Research Articles

Comprehensive evaluation of solar floating photovoltaic prospective in Saudi Arabia: Comparative experimental investigation and thermal performance analysis

Recently, floating photovoltaic systems have been regarded as a promising technology for producing clean energy by utilizing the surface of water bodies, such as lakes, rivers and oceans. This study introduces a comparative experimental study and energy performance evaluation of a 1.0 kW offshore floating photovoltaic (FPV) system and a nearby traditional ground-based PV system (GPV) installed in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The FPV system was deployed in the Arabian Gulf, 25 m off the coast, at an average depth of 1 to 1.5 m depending on tide, wave, and current intensity. The FPV system employs a strong novel eco-friendly platform structure made of recycled buoyant materials such as engineered plastic drums and wood. This system is anchored with tension cables and concrete blocks that can withstand the changing sea water conditions. The GPV system, on the other hand, was installed 150 m inland from the shore. Real-time monthly data monitoring and assessment indicated that FPV systems outperformed GPV systems in terms of lower PV panel surface temperatures, higher power output, and panel efficiency. Based on daily average back surface temperatures, FPV system temperature was decreased by 7.5 % to 21.34 % when compared to GPV. Moreover, the FPV system efficiency was also increased by 12.2 % when compared to the GPV system. This study aims to assist in promoting the applicability of solar floating photovoltaic systems to synergistically fulfill the requirements of sustainable electricity production for the arid costal community in Saudi Arabia and similar areas.

Towards Sustainable Energy Solutions: Evaluating the Impact of Floating PV Systems in Reducing Water Evaporation and Enhancing Energy Production in Northern Cyprus

Floating photovoltaic systems (FPVSs) are gaining popularity, especially in countries with high population density and abundant solar energy resources. FPVSs provide a variety of advantages, particularly in situations where land is limited. Therefore, the main objective of the study is to evaluate the solar energy potential and investigate the techno-economic perspective of FPVSs at 15 water reservoirs in Northern Cyprus for the first time. Due to the solar radiation variations, solar power generation is uncertain; therefore, precise characterization is required to manage the grid effectively. In this paper, four distribution functions (Johnson SB, pert, Phased Bi-Weibull, and Kumaraswamy) are newly introduced to analyze the characteristics of solar irradiation, expressed by global horizontal irradiation (GHI), at the selected sites. These distribution functions are compared with common distribution functions to assess their suitability. The results demonstrated that the proposed distribution functions, with the exception of Phased Bi-Weibull, outperform the common distribution regarding fitting GHI distribution. Moreover, this work aims to evaluate the effects of floating photovoltaic systems on water evaporation rates at 15 reservoirs. To this aim, five methods were used to estimate the rate of water evaporation based on weather data. Different scenarios of covering the reservoir’s surface with an FPVS were studied and discussed. The findings showed that annual savings at 100% coverage can reach 6.21 × 105 m3 compared to 0 m3 without PV panels. Finally, technical and economic assessment of FPVSs with various scales, floating assemblies, and PV technologies was conducted to determine the optimal system. The results revealed that a floating structure (North orientation-tilt 6°) and bifacial panels produced the maximum performance for the proposed FPVSs at the selected sites. Consequently, it is observed that the percentage of reduction in electricity production from fossil fuel can be varied from 10.19% to 47.21% at 75% FPV occupancy.

Assessing the environmental and economic viability of floating PV-powered green hydrogen: A case study on inland ferry operations in Türkiye

This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of the environmental impacts and costs associated with a floating photovoltaic (FPV)-powered green hydrogen production system for a ferry line in Türkiye, utilizing life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost assessment (LCCA) methods. The methodology involves regridding daily data from 13 Global Climate Models (GCMs) to a consistent 1° × 1° grid, comparing this data with ERA5 datasets using various statistical methods, and identifying the top four GCMs. These models are then used to forecast ambient temperature, wind speed, and solar radiation for 2023–2052. Based on these forecasts, the FPV system's component sizes are determined. The LCA, based on the GREET 2022 database, reveals that green hydrogen is the most environmentally friendly option, reducing global warming potential (GWP) by 77.5 % compared to marine diesel oil (MDO 0.1 % S), with more than 62 % of GWP for the hydrogen-powered ferry attributed to PV production. LCCA results indicate that, without subsidies, green hydrogen is not economically feasible for the selected inland ferry line. Carbon taxes are insufficient to bridge cost differences, highlighting the need for financial incentives. Reducing corporate tax to 10 % is identified as the most effective incentive, and the Production Tax Credit (PTC) option maximizes internal rates of return for green hydrogen producers. This study provides valuable insights for sustainable energy choices in maritime transport, emphasizing the importance of both environmental and economic considerations.

Design and evaluation of a hybrid offshore wave energy converter and floating photovoltaic system for the region of Oran, Algeria

Introduction. This paper presents the novel design and analysis of a hybrid renewable energy system that combines a wave energy converter (WEC) with a floating photovoltaic (FPV) system for offshore installation, with a specific focus on Oran as a case study. The purpose of integrating these two technologies is to harness both wave and solar energy, thereby maximizing energy output and enhancing the reliability of renewable energy sources in offshore environments. The goal of this study is to develop a hybrid system that leverages the complementary nature of WEC and FPV technologies to maximize energy output and improve reliability. By integrating these technologies, the system aims to overcome the limitations of standalone energy systems. The methodology includes selecting suitable WEC and FPV technologies, optimizing their configurations, and analyzing their combined performance under various environmental conditions. To assess the energy production potential, structural stability, and economic feasibility of the hybrid system, computational simulations and data analysis are employed. This comprehensive approach ensures rigorous testing and optimization for real-world applications. The results demonstrate substantial improvements in energy yield and system resilience compared to standalone WEC or FPV systems. The hybrid system shows enhanced performance, particularly in consistent energy output and structural robustness. These findings indicate that combining WEC and FPV technologies can lead to more reliable and efficient offshore renewable energy solutions. The practical values are significant, providing insights into efficient and sustainable offshore renewable energy solutions. By focusing on Oran, it offers a localized perspective that can be adapted to similar coastal areas globally, contributing to the advancement of renewable energy technologies. The hybrid system’s enhanced reliability and efficiency support the broader goal of sustainable energy development in marine environments, highlighting its potential for widespread application and impact. References 23, tables 4, figures 17.

Evaluating the Horizon of Renewable Power: A Comprehensive Review of Floating Photovoltaic Systems' Performance and Technologies

This detailed review underscores the significant potential of floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems in fostering a sustainable energy future. It evaluates the efficiencies, applications, and environmental impacts of different FPV technologies, illustrating that FPVs are a feasible solution to the global energy crisis. The review particularly highlights hybrid FPV systems, which excel in maximizing energy production while minimizing ecological impacts. It advocates for the adoption and continuous improvement of FPV technologies, emphasizing that FPVs provide a way to meet rising global energy demands and align with the imperative for environmentally sustainable energy solutions.

Assessment of Breakwater as a Protection System against Aerodynamic Loads Acting on the Floating PV System

Offshore floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems are subjected to significant aerodynamic forces, especially during extreme wind conditions. Accurate estimation of these forces is crucial for the proper design of mooring lines and connection systems. In this study, detailed CFD simulations were performed for various PV panel configurations, and using these CFD simulation correlations were developed to estimate lift and drag forces as a function of the number of panels. These correlations provide valuable tools for designing large-scale FPV systems with multiple PV modules. Additionally, this study investigates the potential of using breakwaters to reduce aerodynamic forces on FPV systems. Breakwaters, typically used to mitigate wave impacts, can also serve as wind barriers, significantly reducing wind forces before they reach the FPV array. Aerodynamic simulations with and without a breakwater were conducted using CFD to assess this effect. The results show a substantial reduction in lift and drag coefficients, especially for angles of attack up to 10 degrees, demonstrating the effectiveness of the breakwater in protecting the FPV system. However, beyond this threshold, the effectiveness of the breakwater of 2 m reduces. These findings highlight the importance of strategic breakwater placement and heights and their role in enhancing FPV system resilience. The insights gained from this study are critical for optimizing breakwater design and placement, ensuring the structural integrity and performance of FPV systems in varying environmental conditions. The data generated will also contribute to future design improvements for floating PV systems.

A study into the correlation between single array-hull configurations and wave spectrum for floating solar photovoltaic systems

Floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems offer a viable renewable energy solution due to easy installation and cost-effectiveness compared to other renewable energy generation methods. On the other hand, land-based solar photovoltaics face challenges such as space scarcity and environmental impacts. Shifting to nearshore locations unlocks vast ocean space potential, though waves expose significant challenges to FPV systems. Several novel FPV system designs are proposed, inspired by high-speed vessel multihulls, including catamaran, trimaran, quadrimaran, and pentamaran configurations, as floating supports for solar panels. Simulations were conducted to determine Response Amplitude Operators (RAOs) under various irregular wave spectrum conditions in a free-floating initial state. The FPV motion problem was solved using linear potential-flow theory with the Boundary Element Method (BEM) with Green-Function approach. Superposition of wave spectral energy and motion RAOs was used to obtain spectral structural responses. Motion in heave, roll, and pitch modes was evaluated across wave spectrum types. Results show that adding hulls reduces the significant amplitude response in all motion modes. In summary, valuable insights into floater designs and the hydrodynamic evaluation of FPV systems are presented.

Floating photovoltaic systems: photovoltaic cable submersion testing and potential impacts.

Floating photovoltaics (FPV) is an emerging technology that is gaining attention worldwide. However, little information is still available on its possible impacts in the aquatic ecosystems, as well as on the durability of its components. Therefore, this work intends to provide a contribution to this field, analysing possible obstacles that can compromise the performance of this technology, adding to an increase of its reliability and assessing possible impacts.The problem under study is related to the potential submersion of photovoltaic cables, that can lead to a degradation of its electrical insulation capabilities and, consequently, higher energy production losses and water contamination. In the present study, the submersion of photovoltaic cables (with two different insulation materials) in freshwater and artificial seawater was tested, in order to replicate real life conditions, when FPV systems are located in reservoirs or in the marine environment. Electrical insulation tests were carried out weekly to assess possible cable degradation, the physical-chemical characteristics of the water were also periodically monitored, complemented by analysis to detect traces of copper and microplastics in the water. The results showed that the submersion of photovoltaic cables with rubber sheath in saltwater can lead to a cable accelerated degradation, with reduction of its electrical insulation and, consequently, copper release into the aquatic environment. The test results pointed a probable relationship between submersion of cables with rubber outer shell and water freezing temperatures and the occurrence of accelerated degradation of the cable insulation layer. Reduced insulation resistance values were measured in this cable type after the occurrence of such temperatures, both in salt and freshwater, the cable presented visible exterior degradation signs. For this case copper residues were detected in the water.

State-of-the-Art of Floating PV Development in the Indonesian Waters

Abstract In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on reducing Indonesia’s reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation by promoting the development of renewable energy-based power plants. Among the renewable energy sources, solar energy holds great potential in Indonesia, given its abundant availability throughout the year. This presents favourable prospects for the establishment of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants, both in ground-mounted and floating sub-structure configurations. However, the deployment of ground-mounted PV plants raises concerns regarding land usage, particularly for large-scale installations. Moreover, the environmental temperature in tropical regions like Indonesia can adversely affect the efficiency of PV panels in land installations. Water bodies offer an alternative location for PV installations to mitigate these challenges, as water can help alleviate the temperature impact on PV panels. Considering Indonesia’s archipelago geography, seas emerge as an attractive option for large-scale PV power plant development. However, numerous challenges arise when implementing floating PV (FPV) technology in open seas. This paper explores the ongoing advancements in marine FPV technology and addresses the challenges associated with installing FPV systems in Indonesian seas. These efforts aim to support the fundamental development of the country’s electricity infrastructure, encompassing aspects such as reliability, affordability, and social acceptability.

Improving Module Temperature Prediction Models for Floating Photovoltaic Systems: Analytical Insights from Operational Data

Floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems are gaining popularity as a valuable means of harnessing solar energy on unused water surfaces. However, a significant gap persists in our comprehension of their thermal dynamics and the purported cooling benefits they provide. The lack of comprehensive monitoring data across different climatic regions and topographies aggravates this uncertainty. This paper reviews the applicability of established module temperature prediction models, originally developed for land-based PV systems, to FPVs. It then details the refinement of these models using FPV-specific data and their subsequent validation through large-scale, ongoing FPV projects. The result is a significant improvement in the accuracy of temperature predictions, as evidenced by the reduced Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and improved R-squared (R2) after parameter optimisation. This reduction means that the tailored models better reflect the distinct environmental influences and cooling processes characteristic of FPV systems. The results not only confirm the success of the proposed method in refining the accuracy of current models, but also indicate significant post-tuning changes in the parameters representing wind and convective effects. These adjustments highlight the increased responsiveness of FPVs to convective actions, especially when compared to ground-based systems, possibly due to the evaporative cooling effect of bodies of water. Through this research, we address a critical gap in our understanding of heat transfer in FPV systems and aim to enrich the knowledge surrounding the acknowledged cooling effect of FPVs.

PVSails: Harnessing Innovation With Vertical Bifacial PV Modules in Floating Photovoltaic Systems

AbstractIn the context of offshore floating photovoltaic systems (FPVs), this paper explores the use of bifacial photovoltaic modules installed in the vertical position. The energy harvested from the rear face of vertically configured bifacial PV modules compensates for the reduced production at the front face of the module, and this demonstrates the potential of bifacial technology for offshore applications. By comparison, most existing horizontally tilted bifacial FPV systems gain only a small benefit in production from the rear face of the module due to the minimum radiation received, and what also must be taken into consideration is the negative effect of significant soiling owing to the low tilt angle of the PV modules. Hence, to overcome these drawbacks, we have developed the innovative “PVSail” concept, which explores the deployment of vertical FPV systems on floats, buoys, or poles/minipiles. Floating vertical bifacial PV systems (VBPVs) have huge potential to harness all the energy generation capabilities enhance by reflected light, especially from snow‐covered surfaces in northern regions. Our analysis considers a patented mooring and vertical PV system that allows the VBPV structure to align with the prevailing wind direction to shed wind loads, and our numerical analysis explores the potential of VBPV applied to Catania in Italy and Nigg Bay in the United Kingdom. Our analysis study has revealed that across an azimuth angle range (0°–180°), vertical bifacial modules experience roughly a 9% decrease in energy yield at Catania and about a 5% energy yield gain in higher latitude regions like Nigg Bay. Additionally, increasing the latitude of the installation location of VBPV reduces the energy yield sensitivity to the orientation, that is, azimuth angle. The PVSail concept opens the door to novel deployment possibilities in offshore renewable energy projects.

Analisis dan Desain Floating PV System di Beberapa Waduk Batam untuk Optimalisasi Bauran Energi Terbarukan

The climate crisis caused by the use of fossil fuels is prompting countries around the world to shift to renewable energy. Indonesia has substantial solar energy potential, but this must be balanced with land conservation efforts. PT PLN Batam, a subsidiary of PT PLN (Persero), shares the responsibility of meeting the national renewable energy mix target of 23% by 2025. Adding new power plants requires a large area, which is a significant challenge in the development of both fossil and renewable energy plants in Batam. The floating PV system is an alternative solution to this problem. This study aims to design a floating solar power generation system at Tembesi and Mukakuning Reservoirs, focusing on solar energy potential, energy production, and system design. The results indicate that solar irradiation at both locations reaches 1,650 kWh/m² with an average horizontal PSH of 4.52 hours/day and net PSH Modules of 4.32 hours/day. Energy production in Year-1 is 55.83 GWh with a performance ratio of 81.65%, resulting in annual energy production of 1,345 kWh/kWp. The floating PV system design at Tembesi and Mukakuning Reservoirs consists of 10 islands, each with 19 array boxes and 20 strings per array box, comprising 28 PV modules per string. A total of 106,400 PV modules with a capacity of 390 Wp each is utilized. The system employs 3,125 kVA PV inverters, 7,500 kVA MV transformers, and 35 MVA HV transformers to ensure high efficiency and reliability. The system design also considers environmental durability, including resistance to corrosion and water level fluctuations. Recommendations include optimizing the design based on seasonal variations and implementing effective monitoring and maintenance systems.

Floating wind-integrated PV system yield analysis considering AHSE dynamics & solar azimuth effects

Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) systems face dual challenges of structural reliability and high electricity costs in offshore deployments, hindering their widespread adoption. Integrating FPV with Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWT) offers a promising solution to these challenges. A hybrid wind-solar system is proposed, leveraging mathematical modelling and simulation, with FPV system inheriting dynamic states from FOWT and employing a shared DC bus for power generation. Key findings reveal reduced power variation as solar elevation angle increases, with photovoltaic efficiency declining near the complementary angle of PV tilt offset. The FPV system demonstrates resilience to platform movements, ensuring over 97% efficiency even under significant wave heights. Additionally, greater pitch motion enhances power complementary effects between wind and solar energy. A proposed tilt offset control strategy effectively compensates for power fluctuations, particularly at lower wind-solar azimuth angles and higher solar elevation angles. Real-world based simulation in the Taiwan Strait validates these findings, emphasizing the potential of wind-solar coupled platforms for optimizing renewable energy performance in coastal regions.

Effect of temperature on given power between the Floating and conventional PV system

Effect of temperature on given power between the Floating and conventional PV system

Conceptual design and model test of a pontoon-truss type offshore floating photovoltaic system with soft connection

With the growing demand for clean energy in human society, the development of offshore floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems emerged as a prominent research topic. Positive-airgap FPV systems are more practical for engineering applications, however, current designs still face challenges under open sea such as negative airgap risk and significant connecting load. To address these issues, this study presents a novel foundation and connection scheme for an offshore FPV system. First, a pontoon-truss platform was designed and its superior performance was demonstrated by comparing it to a traditional semi-submersible. Further, a four-module offshore FPV system concept was developed, in which soft ropes were first introduced as a solution for FPV module connection. After that, a basin model experiment is employed to evaluate the feasibility of proposed FPV system under wind-wave-current joint effect, where the current-wind load is simplified as a constant force, and the established numerical model is verified by experiments. To improve understanding and design, the impact of several key design parameters on dynamic responses is also discussed. The findings indicate that the airgap performance deteriorates rapidly when single module draught surpasses half of pontoon diameter, and improving soft rope stiffness is more effective and produces less disturbance to other behaviors than enhancing mooring stiffness.

Design and Control Strategy of an Integrated Floating Photovoltaic Energy Storage System

Floating photovoltaic (FPV) power generation technology has gained widespread attention due to its advantages, which include the lack of the need to occupy land resources, low risk of power limitations, high power generation efficiency, reduced water evaporation, and the conservation of water resources. However, FPV systems also face challenges, such as a significant impact from aquatic environments on the system’s stability and safety and high operational and maintenance costs, leading to large fluctuations in the grid-connected power output. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate energy storage devices with FPV systems to form an integrated floating photovoltaic energy storage system that facilitates the secure supply of power. This study investigates the theoretical and practical issues of integrated floating photovoltaic energy storage systems. A novel integrated floating photovoltaic energy storage system was designed with a photovoltaic power generation capacity of 14 kW and an energy storage capacity of 18.8 kW/100 kWh. The control methods for photovoltaic cells and energy storage batteries were analyzed. The coordinated control of photovoltaic cells was achieved through MPPT control and improved droop control, while the coordinated control of energy storage batteries involved a droop charge–discharge mode, a constant-voltage charging mode, and a standby mode. The simulations were realized in MATLAB/Simulink and the results validated the effectiveness of the coordinated control strategy proposed in this study. The strategy achieved operational stability and efficiency of the integrated photovoltaic energy storage system.

Wave Tank Experiments Of A Novel Floating Photovoltaic System

Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy, alongside other renewables, is expected to lead the energy sector. However, large-scale ground-mounted PV generation requires a significant amount of land, prompting conflict with other uses. On these grounds, floating PV (FPV) technology is gaining interest (Rosa-Clot and Tina, 2020). While commercial FPV is already being deployed on freshwater bodies, efforts are being undertaken towards harnessing solar energy on the untapped surface of the ocean (Oliveira-Pinto and Stokkermans, 2020). The main challenge is to develop a cost-effective technology capable of withstanding extreme environmental conditions whilst ensuring platform stability, to minimize misalignment of the solar panels that could result in significant efficiency loss (Claus and López, 2022). Several marine concepts have been proposed, with most of them leaning towards flexible design strategies, similar to those applied in freshwater (Claus and López, 2023). Researchers at the University of Oviedo, Spain, are developing a novel FPV system that is specifically designed for marine conditions, following a rigid design approach (Figure 1). The concept leverages the combination of two distinct elements: a double-axis solar tracker, maximizing solar energy generation, and a tension-leg platform (TLP), ensuring structural performance and stability. This research showcases the wave tank experiments, under regular wave action.

Study the optimization of offshore floating PV power systems and its application

In recent years, the application of solar photovoltaic (PV) has been developing rapidly with a large amount of PV power stations built and operating. However, the land resources for PV power plants are relatively limited. Offshore PV power plants are expected to become an alternative means to solve such problems. In this paper, the PVsyst and AQWA are used to comprehensively simulate the power generation performance of floating PV power stations and thin-film PV power stations under offshore conditions, and the factors affecting the performance of floating PV systems are studied. By establishing the nonlinear regression numerical models, the relationship between the factors is compared by path analysis. The results show that the swing angle has the greatest influence on the system performance. The above work provides certain guidelines for the development and construction of offshore PV systems.

Wave Basin Tests of a Multi-Body Floating PV System Sheltered by a Floating Breakwater

The development of floating photovoltaic systems (FPV) for coastal and offshore locations requires a solid understanding of a design’s hydrodynamic performance through reliable methods. This study aims to extend insights into the hydrodynamic behavior of a superficial multi-body FPV system in mild and harsh wave conditions through basin tests at scale 1:10, with specific interest in the performance of hinges that interconnect the PV panels. Particular effort is put into correctly scaling the elasticity of the flexible hinges that interconnect the PV modules. Tests of a 5 × 3 FPV matrix are performed, with and without shelter, by external floating breakwater (FBW). The results show that the PV modules move horizontally in the same phase when the wave length exceeds the length of the FPV system, but shorter waves result in relative motions between modules and, for harsh seas, in hinge buckling. Relative motions suggest that axial loads are highest for the hinges that connect the center modules in the system and for normal wave incidence, while shear loads are highest on the outward hinges and for oblique incidence. The FBW reduces hinge loads as it attenuates the high-frequency wave energy that largely drives relative motions between PV modules.

The Impact of System Sizing and Water Temperature on the Thermal Characteristics of Floating Photovoltaic Systems

Accurately calculating the annual yield of floating PV (FPV) systems necessitates incorporating appropriate FPV-specific heat loss coefficients into the calculation, including both wind-dependent and wind-independent factors. The thermal behavior of several FPV systems has been investigated within this study, through the analysis of heat loss coefficients across various system sizes and configurations. Over a one-year period, data were collected from two measurement sites with three distinct systems: two ~50 kWp demonstrator-scale setups of Solarisfloat (azimuthal tracking) and Solar Float (East-West orientation) and a 2 MWp commercial-scale East–West system by Groenleven. The Solarisfloat demonstrator revealed a wind-dependent heat loss coefficient of 3.2 W/m3Ks. In comparison, the Solar Float demonstrator system displayed elevated wind-dependent heat loss coefficients, measuring 4.0 W/m3Ks for the east-facing module and 5.1 W/m3Ks for the west-facing module. The Groenleven system, which shares design similarities with Solar Float, showed lower wind-dependent heat loss coefficients of 2.7 W/m3Ks for the east-facing module and 2.8 W/m3Ks for the west-facing module. A notable discrepancy in the wind-dependent coefficients, particularly evident under a north wind direction, indicates a more efficient convective cooling effect by the wind on the demonstrator scale system of Solar Float. This could possibly be attributed to improved wind flow beneath its PV modules, setting it apart from the Groenleven system. Additionally, a thermal model founded on a ‘balance-of-energy’ methodology, integrating water temperature as a variable was introduced. The heat loss coefficient, dependent on the surface water temperature, fluctuated around zero, depending on whether the water temperature surpassed or fell below the ambient air temperature. It can be concluded that it is not of added value to introduce this floating specific heat loss coefficient parameter, as this parameter can be integrated in the wind speed independent Uc parameter.