Effects of wind loads on the solar panel array of a floating photovoltaic system – Experimental study and economic analysis

Floating photovoltaic systems have been installed around the world as solar energy is powerful renewable energy source, but they can sink or overturn depending on harsh environmental conditions. Analyzing the wind load on a solar panel array is important for designing an appropriate supporting structure for floating photovoltaic systems. In this study, the local pressure distributions on a solar panel array were experimentally measured and economic analysis was conducted for reduced manufacturing cost. The results showed that the first and last rows of panels had the highest drag and lift coefficients because they were the first to encounter the wind. The drag and lift coefficients gradually decreased in subsequent rows because of the sheltering effect. When the wind flowed from the side, the leftmost and rightmost columns provided a sheltering effect, which reduced the drag and lift coefficients for the center of the solar panel array by 45%–86%. From these results, the middle regions of floating bodies could be changed to the lower-cost materials which showed the 19% reduced manufacturing costs for 2.5 MW system (20 × 30). If the size of the floating PV system increases further, many floating bodies could be changed to lower-cost materials which will be more economical.