Market update · Europe
Study Identifies Optimal Row Spacing for Cooling in Floating PV Systems
Research by Italian scientists demonstrates that a 0.5-meter spacing between solar module rows in floating photovoltaic (PV) systems optimizes cooling by enhancing airflow. This spacing outperforms both narrower and wider arrangements, highlighting the critical role of aerodynamic factors in thermal management. The study emphasizes that proximity to water alone does not guarantee better cooling and that row spacing should be a key design consideration.
SolTraCo market update · · 3 min readOptimal Row Spacing Enhances Cooling
A computational fluid dynamics study conducted at the Occhito Dam reservoir in southern Italy found that spacing module rows approximately 0.5 meters apart delivers the best cooling performance in a three-row floating PV configuration. This intermediate spacing outperformed both narrower and wider arrangements by improving airflow and reducing module temperatures.
The optimal configuration achieved an average module temperature of 27.5°C at a wind speed of 5 m/s, significantly lower than the 37°C recorded in the widest spacing arrangement. These findings underscore the importance of managing airflow to optimize thermal performance in floating PV systems.
Aerodynamic Factors Influence Cooling Efficiency
The study highlights that effective cooling depends on a balance between aerodynamic wake recovery and airflow acceleration. While wider spacing allows airflow to recover between rows, it does not consistently produce the lowest module temperatures due to reduced airflow acceleration.
Aerodynamic wakes formed behind module rows can restrict air movement, reducing convective heat transfer and increasing operating temperatures. Excessive spacing weakens airflow acceleration, which negatively impacts cooling performance.
Thermal Management Implications for Floating PV Design
The researchers emphasize that row spacing should be considered not only for installed capacity, shading, and platform requirements but also as a key thermal design parameter. Cooling performance varies between module rows, with the middle row being particularly sensitive to spacing changes.
Given that crystalline silicon PV module efficiency typically decreases by approximately 0.5% for every 1°C increase in cell temperature, optimizing row spacing to reduce module temperature can have significant impacts on system performance.
Sources
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