Design and construction of floating modular photovoltaic system for water reservoirs

Abstract

In May 2018, the Housing & Development Board (HDB) of Singapore piloted the first locally-designed 100 kWp floating photovoltaic system at the world’s largest floating photovoltaic cell test-bed in Tengeh Reservoir. This paper presents the various aspects in the development of the floating modular photovoltaic system. This innovative system comprises a number of standardised floating modules made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) that serve as either photovoltaic (PV) panel floaters or maintenance walkways. The structural performance of the floating modules and the inter-modular connectors is assessed through detailed finite element analysis and laboratory tests. The global response of the floating PV system under wave action is investigated by conducting hydroelastic analysis. This paper also presents details of the launching of the proposed floating photovoltaic system at the test-bed and assesses the power generation of the system.