Offshore Floating Photovoltaic Systems Show Promise for Addressing Energy Crisis

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Tianjin University in China have made significant progress in the development of offshore floating photovoltaic systems, which have the potential to address the energy crisis. A novel type of floating photovoltaic system, using membrane structures, has been investigated for its hydrodynamic characteristics under wave loading. The study aimed to design and develop a 1:40 scaled model for laboratory experiments, considering the membrane structure's properties and behavior under different wave conditions. The research findings highlight the potential of membrane structures for offshore floating photovoltaic systems, with the advantage of being lightweight and cost-effective.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study focuses on the hydrodynamic responses of a membrane structure under different wave loads, including regular and irregular waves, and investigates its motion responses and mooring forces.
  • The research concludes that as the wave period decreases within the range of 1.75 to 1.25 s, the heave motion response of the structure decreases, whereas pitch, surge motion response, heave acceleration, and mooring force increase.
  • The amplitudes of various motions and mooring forces of the structure decrease with decreasing wave height, indicating a potential for designing the structure based on actual wave height.
  • The movement period of each degree of freedom is close to the wave period, avoiding the same frequency resonance phenomenon.
  • The study highlights the advantages of membrane structures for offshore floating photovoltaic systems, including being lightweight and cost-effective.
  • The research findings have implications for the design and development of offshore floating photovoltaic systems, particularly for structures with complex shapes and motion responses.

Statistics:

  • The study investigates a 1:40 scaled model for laboratory experiments, considering Ocean Sun's membrane structure.
  • The wave period range investigated in the study is between 1.75 s and 1.25 s.
  • The wave height range considered in the study is decreasing, indicating a potential for designing the structure based on actual wave height.
  • The movement period of each degree of freedom is close to the wave period, avoiding the same frequency resonance phenomenon.
  • The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

Sources:

  • Hydrodynamic Response of Floating Photovoltaic With Membrane Structure Under Different Wave Loads. Journal of Ocean University of China, 2025;24(4):909-923.
  • NewsRx. New Marine Science Findings Reported from Tianjin University (Hydrodynamic Response of Floating Photovoltaic With Membrane Structure Under Different Wave Loads). Electronics Newsweekly. October 21, 2025; p 366.