The basic types of floating photovoltaic power stations are what?
With the continuous increase in photovoltaic (PV) power generation capacity, the development of ground-mounted PV power stations will face increasing limitations due to the constraints of land resources. Floating photovoltaic power stations, which do not occupy land area while also increasing installed PV capacity, represent a new and efficient form of solar power generation.
Depending on the construction site conditions, floating photovoltaic power stations can be divided into two main types: fixed-type floating PV stations and floating-type floating PV stations.
Fixed-Type Floating PV Stations
The main difference between fixed-type floating PV stations and ground-mounted PV stations lies in the fact that the pile foundation of fixed-type floating PV stations is installed in the water, which increases the pile foundation cost and construction difficulty. However, this design is beneficial for cleaning the PV modules and helps save land resources. Based on the type of pile foundation used, fixed-type floating PV stations can be further divided into pile-driven fixed-type floating PV stations and elevated fixed-type floating PV stations.
Fixed-type floating PV stations offer advantages such as simple construction, wide applicability, low cost, good structural stability, and fast construction speed. Moreover, the water body where these stations are built can also be used as a fish pond, which helps improve the overall economic benefits of the project. However, fixed-type floating PV stations also face challenges, such as difficulties in maintenance by boat and higher construction costs in areas with deeper water. Typically, fixed-type floating PV stations are considered for areas with a water depth of less than 5 meters at the highest flood level and where the site is in a stable sinking zone.
Floating-Type Floating PV Stations
Floating-type floating PV stations are generally built in areas with deeper water. They use the buoyancy of floating bodies to support the weight of the PV modules and associated equipment, while an anchoring system fixes the floating bodies in place. Depending on the type of floating body used, floating-type floating PV stations can be divided into two categories: floating tube-type (floating tubes + metal frame + PV modules) and floating box-type (floating boxes + PV modules) floating PV stations.
The advantage of floating tube-type floating PV stations is that the PV modules can be arranged at the optimal installation angle, leading to higher overall power generation. However, a disadvantage is the large amount of steel and floating material required.
On the other hand, floating box-type floating PV stations have the advantages of using less steel, lighter overall floating bodies, and easier installation and maintenance. However, the disadvantage of this design is that due to the shape of the floating body, the installation angle of the PV modules is generally limited to 20°, which is suboptimal and may affect the overall power generation of the station.
Therefore, the choice of the specific form for a floating-type floating PV station should be based on the project's actual conditions. Typically, floating-type floating PV stations are suitable for areas with a water depth greater than 5 meters at the highest flood level and a minimum dry season water level greater than 1 meter, where the area is not in a stable sinking zone.