Floating PV Systems with Single-Axis Solar Tracking

Paweetida Chaiyapong, Chutima Prasartkaew, Boonrit Prasartkaew

Abstract


The energy efficiency of a floating photovoltaic (FPV) system with a single azimuth-axis sun tracking mechanism is examined in this work. Installing FPV systems over water surfaces has several advantages, including easier rotation along a vertical axis, land conservation, and increased energy efficiency because of the water's natural cooling effect. Floating PV with Single-Axis Tracking (FPVSAT) is a novel feature of simple tracking for FPV that was proposed in this study. Since most conventional horizontal-axis tracking systems revolve around the horizontal N-S axis, single-axis trackers that spin around the vertical axis are somewhat unusual. The PV panels can follow the sun's azimuthal direction all day long the vertical-axis tracking design, which maximizes solar energy capture while preserving mechanical simplicity appropriate for floating buildings. Using experimental data from a prototype installed in Lop Buri, Thailand, a mathematical model was created and verified. We compared fixed, linear tracking, and vertical-axis azimuth tracking setups using simulations with high-resolution meteorological data. The azimuth tracking arrangement produces the maximum energy production, according to the results, highlighting the promise of vertical-axis tracking FPV systems as an affordable and scalable substitute for optimizing solar energy generation, especially in tropical areas with fluctuating sun patterns.

Keywords


Floating photovoltaic (FPV); Single-axis solar tracking; Solar energy optimization; Renewable energy systems; Performance analysis

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.64289/iej.25.0309.2892571