Investigation of fixed and East-West, North-South, and azimuthal single-axis tracking for floating photovoltaics (Floatovoltaics) in the UK

The United Kingdom has set ambitious goals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, necessitating rapid and widespread growth in renewable energy sectors such as energy storage, wind, and solar photovoltaics (PV). However, challenges, including planning constraints, food security concerns, and competitive land prices, continually hinder PV development on land. Additionally, the UK's transmission and distribution grid faces overwhelming renewable connection requests, exacerbating the need for grid reinforcements. To overcome these obstacles, floating photovoltaics (FPV) present a promising solution, utilising water bodies to reduce reliance on land area. Co-locating with hydropower offers further advantages, such as shared grid capacity and accelerated connection dates. Furthermore, the recent ‘Solar roadmap’ report published by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) acknowledges and outlines support mechanisms for FPV. This work assesses the technical and financial viability of fixed and single-axis tracking FPV systems, conducting a UK-wide analysis of various configurations. Using PVsyst, simulations of multiple 10MWp FPV configurations across 12 UK locations provide insights into the distributional differences of specific production levels, the benefits of single-axis tracking, and the achieved levelised costs of electricity (LCOE). Results indicate that single-axis tracking, particularly azimuthal tracking, can significantly enhance electricity production, with increases of up to 26.9% annual energy production (AEP) over fixed arrays. LCOEs range from 12.75c/kWh (US cents) for fixed FPV in Scotland to 8.80c/kWh for azimuthal single-axis tracking FPV in the southwest; these results agree with the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) findings. Sensitivity analyses investigating the impact of increased structural balance of system (SBOS) and tracking balance of system (TBOS) costs on the achieved LCOEs highlighted that all three single-axis tracking types were viable methods of reducing LCOE in FPV arrays. With E-W single-axis tracking being the most sensitive, and azimuthal single-axis tracking being the least sensitive to increased SBOS and TBOS costs. Although currently exceeding the LCOE of land-based photovoltaics (LPV), factors such as reduced land costs, shorter grid queues, and advancements in tracking technology suggest a promising future for fixed and single-axis tracking FPV as a technically and financially viable option for renewable energy development and electricity decarbonisation efforts in the UK. • Azimuthal tracking FPV boosts annual energy production by up to 26.9% over fixed arrays. • LCOE ranges from 12.75c/kWh in Scotland to 8.80c/kWh for tracking FPV in the UK. • All single-axis tracking types reduce LCOE; azimuthal tracking is least sensitive.