Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) systems are a new but promising solution to the problem of rapidly diminishing fossil fuels. During my time as a «student in research» at UiA, I have had the privilege of diving deep into this technology, my focus being on the “model test evaluation and power performance of floating solar arrays.”
Model testing and power performance evaluation are vital to the implementation of FPV systems since one needs to ensure that the system and all its individual components can withstand the harsh conditions of the ocean. And power performance evaluation is essential because the energy production of PV panels can be influenced by several factors, such as the cooling effect of water and the orientation of the floating platforms relative to the sun, among others.
My research began with acquiring a basic understanding of hydrodynamics which enabled me to understand how water bodies and the floating bodies that support the solar panels interact. An integral part of my work involved understanding a previous model test campaign carried out at the Technical University of Madrid (UPM). Once I had a good understanding of the physical model, I began working with OrcaFlex to model, calibrate, and analyse a moored 3×2 floating PV system when subjected to a variety of waves. This not only allowed me to test and compare a numerical model against a real-world model, but also gave me invaluable experience with one of the most commonly used programs in the offshore industry. The project was both challenging and rewarding.