Current Photovoltaic Research

Korea Photovoltaic Society (한국태양광발전학회)
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Analysis of Power Degradation and Status of Defect with Long Term Operation in Floating Photovoltaic

수상 태양광 장기 운영에 따른 불량 현황 및 출력 영향성 분석

  • Jieun Lee (Water Energy research Team, Korea water coporation) ;
  • Ji woo Sohn (Solar Energy research Center, Korea University) ;
  • Hyunsik Jo (Water Energy research Team, Korea water coporation) ;
  • Jungi Jeong (Water Energy research Team, Korea water coporation) ;
  • Won-wook Oh (Photovoltaic technical center, Chungbuk technopark) ;
  • Changsub Won (MireaSP) ;
  • Donghwan Kim (Solar Energy research Center, Korea University)
  • 이지은 (물에너지연구소, 한국수자원공사) ;
  • 손지우 (태양광연구실, 고려대학교) ;
  • 조현식 (물에너지연구소, 한국수자원공사) ;
  • 정준기 (물에너지연구소, 한국수자원공사) ;
  • 오원욱 (태양광기술센터, 충북테크노파크) ;
  • 원창섭 (미래SP) ;
  • 김동환 (태양광연구실, 고려대학교)
  • Received : 2025.09.08
  • Accepted : 2025.10.30
  • Published : 2025.12.31
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Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) technology is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to the global clean energy transition, highlighting the critical importance of long-term module reliability. While Floating PV (FPV) systems are expected to exhibit degradation behaviors similar to ground-mounted systems, systematic field data on FPV module failures and performance impacts remain limited. In this study, FPV modules that had been in continuous operation for 13 years were analyzed to assess power degradation rates and failure modes, and to compare them with those of terrestrial PV systems. The results indicate that electrode corrosion accounted for 39% of observed defects. Notably, the average power degradation rate of FPV modules was 0.07%/yr, lower than typical values reported for land-based PV installations. This outcome suggests that although electrode corrosion increases series resistance, at the same time, it elevates parallel resistance, thereby contributing to enhanced durability under aquatic operating conditions. These findings provide novel insights into the long-term reliability of FPV systems and underscore the necessity of incorporating environment-specific degradation mechanisms into future module design and reliability assessment frameworks.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 산업통상자원부(MOTIE)와 한국에너지기술평가원(KETEP)의 지원을 받아 수행한 연구과제입니다(No. RS-2024-00459289).

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