In the computer modeling and simulation of floatovoltaic systems in marine environments or freshwater reservoirs, a floating PV photovoltaic array performance model and simulation must characterize the hydrologic impact of floating PV. The same time-series evaporation modelling challenge exists for modeling agrivoltaic PV energy systems. A key aspect is predicting the FSPV or FPV irrigation reservoir water evaporation benefits in the sustainability assessment for sustainable development energy projects. Quantifying evaporative water-saving as a hydrologic impact feature is a crucial project viability metric in a techno-economic model for FPV hydropower hybrid performance models for hydroelectric facilities, or to estimate floating PV array operating temperature or floating PV module internal cell temperature changes in comparative studies for floating FPV and ground-mounted PV or GPV.
Computer estimation of evaporation time-series from a water surface of a water basin or wastewater basin is often calculated in Matlab or Python through mathematical evaporation models, by using parameters such as solar radiation, air temperature, humidity, water temperature, wind velocity, etc. While various applications and modifications of the Penman method, Penman-Monteith equations or Priestley-Taylor evaporation rates are used to predict or determine evapotranspiration rates in various solar water pond cover configurations, and PV floater design types as a sustainability indicator.
However, most water surface modeling or reservoir evaporation methodologies seem to be based on average daily solar irradiation rates, meaning real-time simulation model predictions need to be adapted to account for more instantaneous hour-to-hour solar irradiation data model inputs, ambient temperature variations, wind variations, airmass, relative humidity, water temperature or weather prediction data obtained from remote sensing and weather prediction data.
In a recent publication (link below) on the environmental impact assessment of floating solar PV, we propose a method to time-normalize the hourly predictions of floating solar PV evaporation rates in a water-energy-land-food nexus metric. I would like to know from researchers and scientists if literature is available to discuss other scientific data engineering options for hour-to-hour or even-minute-to-minute evaporation rate estimations on open water surfaces as a means to quantify the evaporation savings of an FPV prototype in a real-time simulation model:
Article Sustainability Assessment Framework and Methodology with Tra...
Also refer: Article System Dynamics Characterisation and Synthesis of Floating P...
Thank you Suresh,
Research shows that FPV System floater design may be vital to enhancing the cooling effect of water in floating PV, and as a consequence, the evaporation rate around or under a floating photovoltaic system may be associated with a specific FPV floater design (or design types, such as per @Scavo)
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2021/01/12/system-design-key-to-enhancing-cooling-effect-of-water-in-floating-pv/
Very interesting issue. Agriculture can benefits from FPV both for water saving and for energy availability for water pumping and irrigation. To find a balance beetween water saving and cooling efficiency taking into account FPV system design and local condition is something to explore better. Please go ahead!
From an agronomic perspectives to calculate the gap of water saving potential in liter per day that could be used for irrigation purposes is a key point.
The theme is very suitable for water retention in the semiarid region of the Northeast of Brazil. Applying floating photovoltaic over dams used for animal descedentação and agriculture
Solved:
Synthesis of Floating Photovoltaics in terms of Energy, Environmental and Economic Parameters with WELF Nexus Sustainability Features
- February 2023
- Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments 55(3)
Article System Dynamics Characterisation and Synthesis of Floating P...
- Fellow Researchers, @Yun Yang
Interesting paper on daily evaporation rates related to this question:
Article Improved Daily Evapotranspiration Estimation Using Remotely ...
PdD dissertation proposes a method to time-normalize the hourly predictions of floating solar PV evaporation rates in a water-energy-land-food nexus metric. This scientific data engineering option proposes an hour-to-hour or even-minute-to-minute evaporation rate estimations on open water surfaces as a means to quantify the evaporation savings of an FPV prototype in a real-time simulation model:
Thesis A geo-informatics approach to sustainability assessments of ...
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