Experimental and Numerical Study on the Characteristics of Motion and Load for a Floating Solar Power Farm under Regular Waves

Abstract

Recently, the demand for floating solar power farms in lakes and coasts (rather than on land) has been increasing rapidly. It is important to develop a numerical analysis technique that considers environmental conditions to predict structural stability and accurate motion response while designing a floating solar power farm. In this study, we performed a comparison under conditions similar to those of the Inha University towing tank (IUTT) model test to verify the numerical analysis method. The results revealed that heave and pitch movements were dominant under head sea conditions. Relative behavior occurred because of the hinge connection of each unit, and complex motion characteristics appeared depending on the wave conditions. The numerical method was verified based on the motion response and load of the floating solar farm. The validity of the results was also confirmed.

Geometric analysis of pontoon and mooring line towards hydrodynamic response

“…If the z axis is ignored for excursion offset, the response to sway motion due to waves from an incident angle of 90 is the largest, valued at 0,982 (m/m). Heave and pitch movements were dominant under head sea conditions [29]. Meanwhile, in rotational motion, the roll response is the largest, reaching 22,029 (deg/m).…”

Experimental Modelling of a Floating Solar Power Plant Array under Wave Forcing

“…Such a pitch response was noted by Jun-Hee at al. [28] for a class 1 pontoon-type FPV articulated system, with pitch RAOs for their articulated floating system showing a large pitch response at wavelengths around twice their body length. Similar pitch response is also observed in the numerical simulations obtained for the class 2 pontoon-type FPD array studied in [30].…”

“…Jun-Lee et al compared experimental and numerical simulations, carried out using CFD model Star-CCM+ V15.06, of a class 1 pontoon-type FPV array composed of an articulated four-unit block, each unit being made of nine square floating blocks supporting a frame holding three rows of solar panels [28]. The mooring conditions simulated a catenary mooring considered at a loosened state at low tide.…”

“…The aim of numerical modelling, in this area, would be to predict the motions, loads, and PV panel production for an entire FPV plant comprising thousands of interconnected modules, under wave, wind, and current loading. CFD models, as that used by Jun-Lee et al [28], are not yet able not take into account so many individual floaters. There seems to be a lack in the industry for numerical modelling of large pontoon-type FPV plants.…”