Waves and structural strain induced by a uniform current flow underneath a semi-infinite floating solar coverage

Floating solar panels installed on water reservoirs are gradually becoming an increasingly popular renewable energy scenario. When the reservoir gate is opened to release water, complex interactions between an incoming current and the floating panels will occur. In this paper, by modeling the entire floating panel structure as a thin elastic plate, a mathematical model based on the linearized potential flow theory is established to investigate such interactions. Extensive analyses are conducted on the wave profile and plate deflection, revealing significant fluid resonance phenomena at certain current speeds.