Curtin University finds lower FPV panel temperatures by mount height

Curtin University, Malaysia, an institution focused on energy and engineering research, has conducted a six-day study on floating photovoltaic (FPV) and land-based photovoltaic (LPV) systems. Published in Applied Energy, the study compared FPV setups at 250 mm and 800 mm mounting heights with an 800 mm LPV system. According to Curtin University, the 250 mm FPV system recorded over 2 °C lower panel temperatures than the LPV system during off-peak radiation hours. The 800 mm FPV system showed cooling benefits of 0–2 °C for 57% of the observation period. Curtin University said that factors such as wind speed, humidity, solar radiation, rainfall, and water–air temperature differences enhanced FPV cooling. The university concluded that mounting height significantly affects FPV thermal performance and should be factored into system design and forecasting models.