Structural Effects of Mass Distributions in a Floating Photovoltaic Power Plant

Abstract

This study deals with a solar photovoltaic demonstration project composed of four types of sub-plants that will be operated in the Saemangeum Seawall coast. The project aimed to investigate the most efficient sub-plant types. Hydrodynamic analyses were undertaken to obtain the loads exerted on the floating photovoltaic power plants on which two kinds of frame structures supported shed- and gable-type photovoltaic panels, producing the four types of sub-plants composed of three floaters. Hydrodynamic interactions between the floaters were considered because floaters were linked with hinge joints. The pressure and acceleration response operator amplitudes were transferred to the finite element analysis model using an in-house code. Because each sub-plant had a different mass and second moments of mass, it was found that huge stresses had been retained in hinge joints. After the masses in the twelve floaters were evenly distributed, the maximum stresses were reduced so that they were less than material yield strengths. There were larger stresses in the POSCO (Pohang Iron and Steel Company) magnesium alloy coating (POSMAC) frames than in the fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) frames because the POSMAC frame had an open-channel section. It is concluded that weight in each floating unit should be evenly controlled if hinged joints are used to link the floaters.