Design study on the parameters influencing the performance of floating solar PV

Abstract

Floating solar PV, or FPV, refers to the installation of solar PV panels on floating platforms over water bodies for power generation. This technology offers higher efficiency and superior power generation by minimising the solar PV cell temperature. The parameters affecting the performance of floating solar PV (FPV) and its design differ from that of the conventional solar PV system. To ensure successful implementation of this technology, a thorough understanding of its design configuration and proper installation in different geographical locations is crucial. The current study aims at evaluating the impact of wind, ambient temperature, water temperature, height and tilt angle in a FPV. The effect of these parameters on the temperature drop in a FPV cell due to the combination of wind and water is compared with a free-standing photovoltaic module allies with the NOCT condition (NOCT PV) where the source of cooling is only wind. With respect to it, CFD simulation was carried for a 2D solar PV module using finite volume approach. Multiple simulations were performed by changing different combinations of parameters to optimize the design of FPV. It is found that, a minimum of 5 °C temperature difference between wind and water is required for heat transfer enhancement in FPV. The lower height and tilt angle favors FPV in reducing the temperature of solar PV cell. At higher height and tilt angle, the heat transfer only by wind in the NOCT PV is better than that in the FPV. For a tilt angle less than 45°, irrespective of height, FPV performs well. For a tilt angle greater than 55°, the solar PV cell temperature of NOCT PV is lower than that of FPV. This variation is observed to be the impact of high wind velocity in NOCT PV compared to FPV. Further, the simulation result revealed that FPV provides maximum cooling to the PV cell at 0° tilt with a height of 1500 mm.

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