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The thin film flexible floating PV (T3F-PV) array: The concept and development of the prototype

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  • Trapani, Kim
  • Millar, Dean L.

Abstract

The paper presents the concept and design behind the thin film flexible floating PV (T3F-PV) array, aimed at offshore large scale generation. The development of such an array comprises of non-conventional application of thin film PV panels. There are some issues envisaged, primarily the electrical reliability of the panels were they are prone to water absorption. Also the presence of the water could lead to cooling which would be an advantage of the system. Analysis of these issues and a first stage towards the development of the concept was through the manufacturing and operation of a small scale prototype in an enclosed water body in Sudbury, Canada. The data gathered from a small scale prototype leads to an estimated 0.5% decrease in electrical efficiency after the 45 day testing period mainly due to sediment occlusion on the PV panels. The cooling effect of the water could be calculated to an averaged electrical improvement of 5% through a 3 day comparison test (conducted when the floating PV had been exposed to their water conditions for almost 3 months). Also a significant variation in electrical output could be noted if the floating panels were allowed to go just below the waterline or if they were designed to stay on top of it. Some changes to the design were discussed to improve the concept and lead it onto the next step in the development, with a larger scale installation operating in the open sea with harsher environments to be dealt with.

Suggested Citation

  • Trapani, Kim & Millar, Dean L., 2014. "The thin film flexible floating PV (T3F-PV) array: The concept and development of the prototype," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 43-50.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:71:y:2014:i:c:p:43-50
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2014.05.007
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    1. Cazzaniga, R. & Cicu, M. & Rosa-Clot, M. & Rosa-Clot, P. & Tina, G.M. & Ventura, C., 2018. "Floating photovoltaic plants: Performance analysis and design solutions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 1730-1741.
    2. Socrates Kaplanis & Eleni Kaplani & John K. Kaldellis, 2023. "PV Temperature Prediction Incorporating the Effect of Humidity and Cooling Due to Seawater Flow and Evaporation on Modules Simulating Floating PV Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-19, June.
    3. Taboada, M.E. & Cáceres, L. & Graber, T.A. & Galleguillos, H.R. & Cabeza, L.F. & Rojas, R., 2017. "Solar water heating system and photovoltaic floating cover to reduce evaporation: Experimental results and modeling," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 601-615.
    4. Tomasz Kolerski & Parisa Radan & Dariusz Gąsiorowski, 2021. "Ice Load Characteristics on Floating Photovoltaic Platform," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-20, April.
    5. Hayibo, Koami Soulemane & Pearce, Joshua M., 2022. "Foam-based floatovoltaics: A potential solution to disappearing terminal natural lakes," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 859-872.
    6. Lv, Song & Lu, Mengying & Liu, Wenzhuo & Li, Xianglin & Lv, Wenhao & Liu, Zhe & Dong, Xuanchen & Lu, Tonghui & Yang, Bowen, 2025. "Recent advances in longitudinal spatial area marine photovoltaics," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    7. Wei, Yujia & Khojasteh, Danial & Windt, Christian & Huang, Luofeng, 2025. "An interdisciplinary literature review of floating solar power plants," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    8. Nghia-Hieu Nguyen & Bao-Chi Le & Le-Ngoc Nguyen & Thanh-Trung Bui, 2023. "Technical Analysis of the Large Capacity Grid-Connected Floating Photovoltaic System on the Hydropower Reservoir," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-29, April.
    9. Sylvain Delacroix & Sylvain Bourdier & Thomas Soulard & Hashim Elzaabalawy & Polina Vasilenko, 2023. "Experimental Modelling of a Floating Solar Power Plant Array under Wave Forcing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-21, July.
    10. Pringle, Adam M. & Handler, R.M. & Pearce, J.M., 2017. "Aquavoltaics: Synergies for dual use of water area for solar photovoltaic electricity generation and aquaculture," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 572-584.
    11. Kumar, Manish & Kumar, Arun, 2019. "Experimental validation of performance and degradation study of canal-top photovoltaic system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C), pages 102-118.
    12. Vivar, M. & H, Sharon & Fuentes, M., 2024. "Photovoltaic system adoption in water related technologies – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PB).
    13. Li, Ming & Luo, Haojie & Zhou, Shijie & Senthil Kumar, Gokula Manikandan & Guo, Xinman & Law, Tin Chung & Cao, Sunliang, 2022. "State-of-the-art review of the flexibility and feasibility of emerging offshore and coastal ocean energy technologies in East and Southeast Asia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    14. Claus, R. & López, M., 2022. "Key issues in the design of floating photovoltaic structures for the marine environment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    15. Ranjbaran, Parisa & Yousefi, Hossein & Gharehpetian, G.B. & Astaraei, Fatemeh Razi, 2019. "A review on floating photovoltaic (FPV) power generation units," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 332-347.
    16. Rafi Zahedi & Parisa Ranjbaran & Gevork B. Gharehpetian & Fazel Mohammadi & Roya Ahmadiahangar, 2021. "Cleaning of Floating Photovoltaic Systems: A Critical Review on Approaches from Technical and Economic Perspectives," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-25, April.
    17. Koami Soulemane Hayibo & Pierce Mayville & Ravneet Kaur Kailey & Joshua M. Pearce, 2020. "Water Conservation Potential of Self-Funded Foam-Based Flexible Surface-Mounted Floatovoltaics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-24, November.
    18. Tercan, Emre & Dereli, Mehmet Ali & Saracoglu, Burak Omer, 2022. "Location alternatives generation and elimination of floatovoltaics with virtual power plant designs," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 1150-1163.

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