Performance Analysis of Floating Solar Photovoltaic System for Humid and Saline Conditions

Abstract

Floating solar photovoltaic (FSPV) systems have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional land-based photovoltaic (LSPV) systems by reducing land-use constraints and improving electrical performance through the natural cooling effect of water bodies. However, long-term deployment in humid and saline coastal environments may accelerate moisture ingress, salt deposition, and corrosion, reducing system reliability and energy generation. This study presents a comparative performance assessment of a conventional LSPV system, a freshwater FSPV system, and an FSPV system operating under humid and saline conditions using the System Advisor Model. All three systems were modeled with identical installed capacities, module technologies, inverter configurations, and meteorological inputs to isolate the influence of environmental conditions on system performance. The freshwater FSPV system generated 14 900 kWh of annual alternating current energy in the first year compared with 14 248 kWh for the LSPV system, corresponding to an improvement of approximately 4%–5%. The direct current capacity factor increased from 16.30% to 18.90%, the energy yield improved from 1424 to 1656 kWh/kW, and the performance ratio increased from 0.71 to 0.82 because of lower module operating temperatures. When humidity- and salinity-induced degradation was considered, the annual energy generation decreased to 14 400 kWh, the performance ratio declined to 0.72, and the lifetime energy output reduced to approximately 6347 kWh after 25 years owing to accelerated corrosion. The results demonstrate that freshwater FSPV systems provide superior energy performance compared with LSPV systems. However, their long-term advantages in coastal environments can be substantially reduced by humidity- and salinity-induced degradation, highlighting the need for corrosion-resistant materials, improved encapsulation, and effective maintenance strategies for reliable longterm operation.