Indiana University is evaluating floating solar energy performance through a direct, side-by-side comparison of identically configured photovoltaic systems installed on land and water. By monitoring both arrays under identical weather conditions, researchers can precisely evaluate differences in module temperature, energy generation, seasonal efficiency, and overall yield.
This controlled setup eliminates the variable uncertainty inherent in comparing disparate projects across different locations. The research suite continuously measures module and ambient temperatures, solar irradiance, wind speed, water temperature, DC/AC power production, and specific yield (kWh/kWp) across both installations.
