Techno-financial Analysis of Floating Solar Photovoltaic System in Nepal

Abstract

Floating Solar photovoltaic system is one of the fast growing PV technology in Asia. It is fairly new technology with development of less than 10 years. This system helps in cooling down of solar PV modules which ultimately increases the efficiency and energy production of the solar PV system. This research includes experimental technical and financial analysis of a floating solar PV system and its comparison with the land based Solar PV system. A solar panel was installed on the pond behind center of energy studies (CES) which is inside Pulchowk Campus. Another Solar panel of same capacity was installed on land on the same site. For their comparison, measurements of temperature, open circuit voltage and short circuit current were taken for 10 days. The temperature around the floating solar photovoltaic system was always less in compared to the landbased photo voltaic system. The result shows increase in the power of floating solar PV system by approximately 12% in comparison to the land based solar PV system. The irradiance absorbed by floating solar PV system was nearly 1.5% more than the land based solar system. The structural stability of the floating structure of the floating solar photovoltaic system was analyzed to determine its feasibility.