What is it about?
Floating photovoltaics generate renewable electricity on lakes, reservoirs, and other water bodies, helping to reduce the need for land-based solar installations. However, floating PV systems can be built using different module orientations, and each design affects energy production and the use of available water surface in different ways. In this study, we compared three common bifacial floating PV configurations: a conventional south-facing system, an east-west layout, and a horizontal-axis tracking system that follows the sun throughout the day. Using long-term field measurements from floating PV installations in Italy together with a validated simulation model, we evaluated how these configurations differ in electricity generation, module operating temperature, and space-use efficiency. We found that the tracking system produced the highest annual energy yield, generating about 12% more electricity than the conventional south-facing system. The east-west configuration produced less total energy but made the most efficient use of the available water surface, delivering the highest energy production per unit area. These results show that the best floating PV design depends on project priorities. Some projects may aim to maximize electricity production, while others may need to make the most efficient use of limited reservoir space.
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Why is it important?
Floating PV is one of the fastest-growing segments of the solar energy industry because it can generate clean electricity without competing for agricultural land, natural habitats, or urban development. Many floating PV projects are installed on reservoirs and inland water bodies where available surface area is limited, making the choice of system configuration an important design decision. Although several floating PV layouts are already in commercial use, there has been a lack of direct comparisons between different configurations under the same environmental conditions. This study provides a benchmark assessment of three leading bifacial floating PV designs using real operational data and experimentally calibrated models. The findings demonstrate that there is no universal “best” solution. Tracking systems maximize energy generation, while east-west layouts maximize energy production per unit of water area. By quantifying these trade-offs, the study provides practical guidance for developers, utilities, investors, and policymakers planning future floating PV projects. As floating PV continues to expand worldwide, understanding how module orientation influences both energy production and spatial efficiency can help improve project performance and support more sustainable use of water and energy resources.
Perspectives
I found this study particularly rewarding because it allowed us to move beyond the simple question of which floating PV system generates the most electricity. Instead, we explored the broader challenge of balancing energy production with efficient use of limited water-surface area. This is an increasingly important issue as floating PV projects become larger and are deployed in more diverse environments. What I find most interesting is that the results reveal a clear trade-off between energy yield and spatial efficiency. The tracking configuration delivered the highest electricity production, while the east-west layout achieved the greatest energy density. Rather than identifying a single winning technology, the study shows that the most appropriate solution depends on the specific goals and constraints of each project. I also appreciated the opportunity to combine experimental measurements with advanced performance modelling and industry collaboration. Bringing together these different perspectives allowed us to produce results that are both scientifically robust and directly relevant to real-world floating PV deployment. I hope this work helps readers better understand the opportunities and challenges associated with floating PV systems and contributes to more informed decisions about how renewable energy technologies can be deployed efficiently and sustainably in the future
Dr Giuseppe Marco Tina
University of Catania
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Comparative energy assessment of bifacial floating photovoltaics with different module orientations, Energy Sources Part A Recovery Utilization and Environmental Effects, May 2026, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/15567036.2026.2670684.
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