| Work Detail |
A Chinese research team has developed a floating photovoltaic system that is said to offer high stability and superior performance at sea. It consists of a series of floating pontoons that provide buoyancy, along with a truss support structure for the solar panels.
Researchers at Jiangsu University of Science and Technology (China) have developed a novel floating photovoltaic system design capable of withstanding waves of up to 4 m in marine waters.
“Our work has made significant progress in understanding the hydrodynamic responses of a novel offshore floating photovoltaic (FPV) system, designed to optimize performance and stability in harsh marine environments,” Sheng Xu, corresponding author of the research, told pv magazine . “By integrating experimental and numerical analyses, our research provides in-depth insight into the complex dynamics of a multi-module FPV system. These findings are valuable to the engineering and design community and will contribute to the cost-effective deployment and robust application of floating solar technology in marine environments.”
According to the research group, the proposed system design offers high stability and superior sea performance. Sea performance measures the degree of adaptation of a ship or vessel to maritime conditions and assesses whether it can operate effectively and ensure human safety even on the high seas in adverse conditions.
The proposed system consists of a series of floating pontoons for buoyancy, along with a truss support structure for the solar panels. The researchers used a 1:20 scale model, which was tested at the universitys wave basin under regular and irregular wave conditions to evaluate its hydrodynamic characteristics. "The results showed that the novel FPV system can withstand waves up to 4 meters high," Xu added.
The research included twenty-one regular wave tests to establish the FPV system’s response amplitude operator (RAO), examining its behavior under various wave frequencies and directions. The RAO refers to the motion of a floating vessel in six degrees of freedom. “Our analysis indicated that the FPV system is most vulnerable in rough sea conditions,” the scientists noted. “This critical knowledge enables targeted design modifications to ensure resilience in the most challenging wave conditions.”
In addition, the team employed a validated numerical model to simulate the hydrodynamic performance and mooring stresses of the FPV under extreme maritime conditions. This integrated approach allows them to predict the system’s behavior and optimize its design for practical, real-world applications.
Their findings are reported in the paper “ Experimental and Numerical Study on the Hydrodynamic Responses of a Novel Offshore Floating Photovoltaic System,” published in Ocean Engineering , which describes the innovative design and extensive testing procedures.
“The study’s comprehensive analysis, including spectral analysis and motion response assessments, demonstrates the adaptability and effectiveness of the FPV system in marine environments. These results will inform the future development of FPV systems, ensuring they can withstand the challenges posed by marine environments,” the authors say. “We look forward to further developments that will improve the resilience and efficiency of these systems in extreme environmental conditions.” |
