Evaluation and Validation of Photovoltaic Potential from Fixed and Tracking Floating Photovoltaic System in Hapcheon Dam

Abstract

In this study, the photovoltaic (PV) potential was predicted and verified with the observed values of the fixed floating PV system at Hapcheon Dam. The observed power outputs from the fixed and tracking floating PV systems were compared. The System Advisor Model software was used to analyze the meteorological data of the study area and system design specifications. For the fixed PV system, the observed values were generally higher than the predicted values. Based on the difference between the observed and predicted values of monthly power output, the calculated mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was 14%. According to a previous study in which the amount of power output on the water was approximately 5% – 10% higher than that on the on-land system, the monthly MAPE would be approximately 11%, and the annual error rate would be approximately 2%. In addition, the tracking PV system showed a slightly higher monthly power output than the fixed PV. It is expected that the proposed system will yield improved accuracy in the renewable energy output prediction system with the power output prediction algorithm for floating PV systems.