Hydrodynamic Response of Floating Photovoltaic with Membrane Structure Under Different Wave Loads

Offshore floating photovoltaic systems have tremendous potential to address the energy crisis. As a novel type of floating photovoltaic system, membrane structures are increasingly applied due to their advantages of being lightweight and cost-effective. A 1:40 scaled model for laboratory experiments was designed and developed, considering Ocean Sun’s membrane structure. The study aims to investigate the hydrodynamic characteristics of the membrane structure under wave loading by testing its various motion responses and mooring forces at different wave heights and periods. The conclusions indicate that as the wave period decreases within the range of 1.75 to 1.25 s, the heave motion response of the structure decreases, whereas pitch, surge motion response, heave acceleration, and mooring force increase. The amplitudes of various motions and mooring forces of the structure decrease with decreasing wave height. The hydrodynamic responses under irregular and regular waves follow similar patterns, but the responses and mooring forces induced by irregular waves are more significant. The structure should be designed based on the actual wave height. In addition, the same frequency resonance phenomenon is avoided because the movement period of each degree of freedom is close to the wave period.