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Performance Analysis of a Floating Photovoltaic System and Estimation of the Evaporation Losses Reduction

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  • Arnas Majumder

    (Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
    Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Roberto Innamorati

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Andrea Frattolillo

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Amit Kumar

    (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Gianluca Gatto

    (Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

Abstract

Our research aims to achieve dual-positive effects in the presented study by raising photovoltaic (PV) panels over the water surface. With this, target experiments were primarily conducted to evaluate the efficiency increments of the PV panel while reducing its operating temperature through passive convective cooling obtained by raising it over water. The following objective was to estimate the reduction in water evaporation due to the shading effect induced by the panel placed inside the same basin. The performance of two PV panels was analyzed, one used for tests, the other as a reference. The characteristic curves were determined under the local environmental conditions of Cagliari, Italy. The true temperature reduction and efficiency gain calculations of panel P1 due to water cooling was achieved via the measured temperatures and calculated efficiencies of panel P2 at environmental conditions. The water height inside the basin was constantly monitored and maintained at approximately 7.5 cm below panel P1, which covered about 17% of the total water surface area. The presence of water underneath P1 leads to its efficiency increment on average by 2.7% (absolute) and about 17.22% (relative). At the same time, temperature of panel P1 dropped by 2.7 °C on average. The comparative water evaporation study conducted with and without P1 inside the basin showed a 30% reduction in water evaporation.

Suggested Citation

  • Arnas Majumder & Roberto Innamorati & Andrea Frattolillo & Amit Kumar & Gianluca Gatto, 2021. "Performance Analysis of a Floating Photovoltaic System and Estimation of the Evaporation Losses Reduction," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:24:p:8336-:d:699826
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Sahu, Alok & Yadav, Neha & Sudhakar, K., 2016. "Floating photovoltaic power plant: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 815-824.
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    1. Gianfranco Di Lorenzo & Erika Stracqualursi & Giovanni Vescio & Rodolfo Araneo, 2024. "State of the Art of Renewable Sources Potentialities in the Middle East: A Case Study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-27, April.
    2. Arnas Majumder & Amit Kumar & Roberto Innamorati & Costantino Carlo Mastino & Giancarlo Cappellini & Roberto Baccoli & Gianluca Gatto, 2023. "Cooling Methods for Standard and Floating PV Panels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-28, December.
    3. Tarek Ibrahim & Mohamad Abou Akrouch & Farouk Hachem & Mohamad Ramadan & Haitham S. Ramadan & Mahmoud Khaled, 2024. "Cooling Techniques for Enhanced Efficiency of Photovoltaic Panels—Comparative Analysis with Environmental and Economic Insights," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-32, February.

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