On Module Temperature in Floating PV Systems

Peters IM, Nobre AM (2020)

Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.

Book Volume: 2020-June

Pages Range: 0238-0241

Conference Proceedings Title: Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference

Event location: Calgary, OR, CAN

ISBN: 9781728161150

DOI: 10.1109/PVSC45281.2020.9300426

Abstract

Conventional wisdom has it that floating PV systems have a performance advantage due to a, typically not further specified, cooling effect of water. But how much does the presence of water really contribute to the cooling of PV panels? In this case study, we explore the temperatures of two PV systems located next to one another at a site in Cambodia. One of these systems is mounted on a roof, and one is floating on a pond nearby. For these two installations, we show simulated and measured temperature data. Our analysis suggests that the presence of water does not have a direct effect of the temperature of the floating installation. Differences in the performance of the two sites are best explained by different cooling due to wind. We additionally observe differences in thermal inertia. Overall, we find that, at least without further measures, water bodies only have an indirect effect on PV panel temperature via other factors such as ambient temperature or wind.

Involved external institutions

National University of Singapore (NUS) SG Singapore (SG) Helmholtz-Institut Erlangen-Nürnberg für Erneuerbare Energien (HI-ERN) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Peters, I.M., & Nobre, A.M. (2020). On Module Temperature in Floating PV Systems. In Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (pp. 0238-0241). Calgary, OR, CAN: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..

MLA:

Peters, Ian Marius, and Andre M. Nobre. "On Module Temperature in Floating PV Systems." Proceedings of the 47th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2020, Calgary, OR, CAN Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2020. 0238-0241.

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