Analysis of Floating Photovoltaic System for Energy Harvesting Report

This report, prepared by a student, investigates the potential of floating photovoltaic (PV) systems as a sustainable energy source. It begins by highlighting the significance of the technology, emphasizing its advantages over traditional ground-mounted solar PV, such as reduced shading and improved cooling. The report then provides a comprehensive literature review, examining the evolution of PV technology, its application in various water bodies, and the benefits like land conservation and water evaporation reduction. It discusses studies on floating PV in different regions, including South Korea and Rajasthan, and presents analyses of economic aspects, risks, and the importance of water quality testing. The report identifies gaps in the current research, including safety concerns, environmental impacts related to weed suppressants, and mechanical stress on anchorage systems. The report concludes by referencing key studies and highlighting areas for further research and development in this emerging field.

1. Title: Harvesting energy from floating photovoltaic system
2. Significance:
Energy demand is a never-ending domain of human lifestyle. However, it is evident that the
fossils can barely handle the demand with its current rate of depletion. With increased
greenhouse gases and environmental depletion, one has to consider that the alternative
source of electricity having least environmental impact. Hence, it is crucial to explore
promising technologies. Floating photovoltaic (PV) system is one such booming
technology, as it has increased advantages over ground mounted Solar PV such as no
shading effect due to buildings and trees, reduced temperature due to better cooling and
reduced installation cost [1]. Unlike ground mounted PV system, it doesn't need large land
space and civil works for support structures. Ground installed solar PV need ground
excavation for installing the structures and cables, and deforestation to eradicate shading
effect, which leads to collapse of biodiversity [2] which can be avoided in floating PV
system [3].
3. Literature review
The world has seen an evolution of energy resource from fuel to solar photovoltaics and
with the feasibility of installing the solar PV on a roof top, ground, canals, water bodies,
undeniably makes it the most promising technology. The solar PV installed on the canals
tend to have a reduced shading effect and an improved overall efficiency with the
conservation of land [3]. In fact, [4] explores the feasibility of installing a floating PV on
the lakes of Rajasthan, clamming that such a technology would indeed provide increased
efficiency along with water conservation by preventing evaporation of the water by 70% [5]
Several analyses to deploy PV generation systems on Sea water [1] and integrate floating
PV with hydropower, acclaims the potential of floating PV accounting for the generation of
around 5 million GWh/year with the utilization of only 10% of the surface area [6]. In
countries like South Korea, where the land is limited, the floating PV technology is
prioritised, considering 3401 reservoirs [7], which converts the unused water bodies into a
source of energy and revenue and thus benefiting the environment & ecosystem. However,
it is important to analyse the economics & risks of floating solar technology and hybrid
models.
The installation cost for floating systems are around 10% higher than that for rooftop
installations [8] due to anchorage, moorings & floats [6]. If the water body is used for
domestic usage, it is important to perform extensive tests [8] on the water quality for any
contaminations. Before constructing floating solar, it is important to have a risk assessment
based on various parameters [9], a simulation case study at Monte Carlo suggested that the
major factor for risk assessment is Cost of Energy.
Name, student ID

4. Highlighting the gaps
1. Water and electricity don’t go in hand and adds to safety concerns also O&M on land
is much easier than on the floating PV systems [8].
2. To avoid the growth of algae and weeds near floating PV systems, weed suppressants
are used which can have toxic impact on the drinking water & fauna [10].
3. Constant motion of the installed system creates huge mechanical stress on the
anchorage systems
5. References
[1] S. F. Hui, H. F. Ho, W. W. Chan, K. W. Chan, W. C. Lo, and K. W. E. Cheng,
“Floating solar cell power generation, power flow design and its connection and
distribution,” 2017 7th Int. Conf. Power Electron. Syst. Appl. - Smart Mobility, Power
Transf. Secur. PESA 2017, vol. 2018-Janua, pp. 1–4, 2018.
[2] Splash Floating Solar, “Environmental Impact of Floating Solar Power,” Medium,
2011. [Online]. Available: https://medium.com/@splashsolar/environmental-impact-
of-floating-solar-power-ed66d800d2ec. [Accessed: 31-Aug-2019].
[3] D. Augustin, R. Chacko, and J. Jacob, “Canal top solar PV with reflectors,” IEEE Int.
Conf. Power Electron. Drives Energy Syst. PEDES 2016, vol. 2016-Janua, pp. 1–5,
2016.
[4] D. Mittal, B. K. Saxena, and K. V. S. Rao, “Floating solar photovoltaic systems: An
overview and their feasibility at Kota in Rajasthan,” Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Circuit,
Power Comput. Technol. ICCPCT 2017, 2017.
[5] P. Sharma, B. Muni, and S. Debojyoti, “DESIGN PARAMETERS OF 10KW
FLOATING SOLAR POWER PLANT,” Int. Adv. Res. J. Sci. Eng. Technol., vol. 2,
no. 1, pp. 1–5, 2015.
[6] SERIS, “Where sun meets water,” Float. Sol. Mark. Rep., pp. 1–24, 2018.
[7] S. M. Kim, M. Oh, and H. D. Park, “Analysis and prioritization of the floating
photovoltaic system potential for reservoirs in Korea,” Appl. Sci., vol. 9, no. 3, 2019.
[8] H. Peter, T. Experiences, and W. B. Webinar, “Riding the wave of solar energy : Why
floating solar installations are a positive step for energy generation Due to its
flexibility and performance advantages , the installation of solar on floating
platforms,” 2018.
[9] J. A. B. Wirawan and I. Garniwa, “Risk analysis development of solar floating power
plant in the sea with Monte Carlo method,” Proc. - 2018 3rd Int. Conf. Inf. Technol.
Inf. Syst. Electr. Eng. ICITISEE 2018, pp. 396–401, 2019.
[10] G. D. Pimentel Da Silva and D. A. C. Branco, “Is floating photovoltaic better than
conventional photovoltaic? Assessing environmental impacts,” Impact Assess. Proj.
Apprais., vol. 36, no. 5, pp. 390–400, 2018.