Wind parameters effects on floating solar array design - case study: Japan's largest floating solar array

Floating solar energy is facing formidable challenges distinguish it from other marine systems. Wind parameters and wind/wave interaction effects strongly challenge the design and analysis of the floating solar systems. Having a broad area exposed to the wind in presence of the incident wave regime, the floating solar plant is highly affected by the wind parameters and wind/wave interaction. They are operating within the boundary layer of the wind flow close to the water free surface, where the viscous force is as important as the inertial force. Nevertheless, there is rather short research, standards, and guidelines associated with this emerging technology. This study is aimed at an assessment procedure to correlate wind parameters with floating solar array design. Hence, wind parameters such as speed and direction are identified to evaluate their impacts on the floating solar plant. Finally, some suggestions are stated for the design of floating solar system. Kyocera’s 13.7 MW floating project, Japan’s largest floating solar array that was damaged after Typhoon Faxai, is examined as a case study, and some suggestions on the main reasons behind this major incident are outlined.