E3S Web of Conferences 616, 01002 (2025) [Link]

1051/e3sconf/202561601002
ICREGCSD 2025

Design and Analysis of Floating Solar Panel with

SUN Position Tracking
K. Guhan1, K. Karunanithi1, S. Saravanan2*, S. Ramesh1, S. Adesh1, Abhishek Kumar1
1Vel Tech Rangarajan [Link] R & D Institute of Science and Technology, Avadi, Chennai
2B V Raju Institute of Technology, Telangana, India

Abstract. With the diminishing availability of fossil fuels and the

subsequent rise in their costs, alongside their significant contribution to
environmental pollution and global warming, the focus has shifted towards
renewable energy sources for sustainable power generation. Among these,
solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems are emerging as a promising solution for
future energy needs. The process of extracting or generating electricity by
the use of solar energy in the solar PV system is very simple and the cost of
maintenance is very low. The major drawback is the sufficient need of land
to accommodate the solar panels and the associated costs are the main issues.
I order to solve this problem, a floating solar PV system, a new age in solar
electricity is proposed in this research. The solar PV panels can be installed
on any form of water, such as a pond, river, lake, etc. The study also
explores the use of adjustable solar panels that track the sun's position to
enhance system efficiency. Moreover, this floating system benefits aquatic
ecosystems by reducing water evaporation and curbing algae growth,
thereby improving water quality. The novelty of this research lies in the dual
advantage of increased energy efficiency through sun-tracking panels and
environmental sustainability by preserving aquatic ecosystems.

1 Introduction
The system that uses sunlight energy is sustainable and environmentally friendly. With the
growing demand for electricity and the rising cost of fossil fuels due to their rapid depletion,
alternative methods for power generation are necessary. Therefore an alternative method to
be used in order to produce the power. In this research, a new method of conserving electricity
is proposed by placing the solar PV panels on the water bodies such as pond, lake or sea etc.,.
As the urbanization growth rate is more and there is a demand for land. This research focuses
on floating solar PV system with a tilting mechanism and saves the land for land cultivation.
Various kinds of floating solar PV systems have been developed to increase the system's
production. This system makes use of area in which water resources are available and derives
the benefits of the tracking, concentration, and cooling. It can be installed in the reservoirs as
it lowers the cost of producing power and saves land. Therefore, investing in a photovoltaic
system could be a smart way and support more financially stable solar projects. The floating
solar panels are less effective on cooling compared to the roofing systems for generating the

* Corresponding author: saravananklu@[Link]

© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License 4.0 ([Link]
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electricity which results in the reduction of evaporation and growth of algae in the shaded
tanks. The platform supporting these panels is constructed from high-density polyethylene,
which is resistant to UV radiation and corrosion, and can be recycled multiple times [1]. The
Table 1 shows the details of floating solar PV system used across the globe.
Table 1. The recent trend of mounted FPV

Countries Installed Capacity, MW

Taiwan [2] 300
Japan [2] 260
India [3] 170
South Korea [4] 138
Netherland [2] 110
Ghana [5] 1

These floating solar panels will retain a lot of land that can be used in many productive
ways, as these floating panels are placed in the water bodies leaving behind a lot of acres of
productive land. When these solar panels are kept outside, they occupy rooftops and open
areas that are difficult to mount, maintain, and clean regularly. Floating PV (FPV) systems,
on the other hand, present an innovative solution by reducing water evaporation by up to 70%
and increasing power output by 5.93% through back-water cooling while tracking the sun's
movement [6]. Covering 30% of the surface area decreases the evaporation rate up to 49%
[8]. Another advantage of the floating solar panel is if these solar panels were kept on land,
it generates a lot of heat so the electricity generation gets reduced but whereas in the water
bodies, the water present beneath cools down the solar panels by reducing temperature which
helps to generate more electricity compared to solar panels placed in a land. Mainly the
covering sources help in improving water supply through the floating solar technology
especially in desert areas by reducing evaporation and preventing algae blooms called toxic
blue-green algae from multiplying and spreading. The major drawback is the prediction of
occurrence of fault may be difficult and further increases the difficulty in mechanical
operations. The remainder of this paper is structured as follows: Section 2 reviews the
literature on FPV systems. Section 3 describes the methodology used in this research, Section
4 discusses the results, and the section 5 presents the conclusions.

2 Literature Review
This study [1] describes an automated system that uses a real-time clock (RTC) to adjust the
orientation of solar panels based on time. A few RTC blocks are used in this work to detect
time. Aside from the solar panels, these sensors are linked. The DC Servo motors will have
these panels placed on them. This paper [2] proposes a novel method for optimally sizing
large-scale hydro-SPV hybrid systems, taking into account both reservoir characteristics and
energy demand requirements. The research [3] focuses on evaluating the energy generation
potential of existing land-based and floating monofacial photovoltaic systems in Bui, Ghana,
comparing them with 50 MW and 400 kW bifacial PV systems. This comparison is based on
capacity factor, performance ratio, and annual energy production, utilizing ground-level
weather data for simulation. This research [4] uses extremely accurate data from 146 major
hydropower reservoirs in Africa are used to assess the feasibility of floating PV installations.
This evaluation considers both the power output and the water savings, which could boost
hydroelectric power generation. This work [5] focuses on the floating platform's design
specifications and also examines how panel shading affects the ecology. This study will

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examine [6] the performance of an 80 W floating photovoltaic panel in a pond simulator,

which showed a 15.5% increase in energy gain compared to a traditional PV panel over a
two-hour test period. For water scarcity due to, employing floating solar panels is an excellent
alternative that will offer another power source. It can raise the output of hydroelectric
facilities that have reservoirs. One other advantage of the approach is the quantity of water
surfaces that can be used for solar panel placement, as opposed to regions that may be utilised
for other uses (buildings, agriculture, etc.). This research examines the use of floating solar
panels is an effective solution for addressing water scarcity by offering an alternative power
source and enhancing hydroelectric generation in reservoirs [7]. The study also highlights the
ample availability of water surfaces for solar panel installation, leaving land free for other
uses such as agriculture and construction. This study [8] looks into the best practices,
potential, and technological developments in floating solar PV systems, noting that in Uttar
Pradesh, India, the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for a 50 MW plant can be as low as 46
USD/MWh, demonstrating the competitiveness of this technology. The current status and
design options for floating solar technology are discussed in a separate study [10], which also
reviews the feasibility of installing a 1 MW floating solar plant in Kota, Rajasthan. This study
calculates potential energy output, water conservation, and CO2 emission reductions. An
experimental study [11] conducted under Moroccan conditions compares the electrical and
thermal performance of a floating PV system with an overland PV system of similar capacity.
Finally, research [12] proposes the use of an Arduino UnoR3 to develop a dual-axis solar
tracker with mirror reflection to maximize solar panel efficiency. This project aims to create
a dual-axis solar tracker system that enhances the solar panel's power output by tracking the
sun and reflecting sunlight for better efficiency.

3 METHODOLOGY

This section outlines the methodology implemented in this study. As depicted in Figure 1,
the block diagram shows the proposed system where the solar panel's output is connected to
a battery through a DC-DC converter.

Solar
Panel

DC-DC
Converter

Battery

LDR Motor
Arduino
Sensor Driver

Stepper
Motor

Fig. 1. Block diagram of the proposed system

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The energy stored in the battery powers the system. The LDR sensor is used to detect the
sunrays and send the data to Arduino UNO. Based on the data input from the sensor, the
output signal from the Arduino UNO is changing which control the motor driver circuit. The
motor driver circuit will operate the stepper motor to tilt the solar panel.

3.1 Simulation and prototype Model of Floating Solar PV System

Figure 2 and Figure 3 show the simulation and prototype model of floating SPV system
respectively. The hardware simulation was performed using Blender software. It has a
floating base made up of PVC pipe, which is strong, flexible, and easy to carry. A pontoon
serves as the floating platform, supporting PV modules to float on the water's surface. To
ensure stability and rotation, mooring systems surrounded the floating body. Each mooring
system includes a sinker, anchor, and buoy to facilitate its settlement in the sea. Even in cases
of water body disturbances, the mooring system maintains stability. The sun tracking
mechanism works based on Micro Controller (Arduino UNO), Stepper motor and LDR
sensor.

Fig. 2. Simulation model of Tracking PV System

The LDR sensor is used as the light sensing device to measure the sunrays and the Arduino
UNO processes the signal generated from the LDR sensor. The Controller processes the data,
analyses, and commands the Stepper motor. Microcontroller uses the yield signal to drive the
Servomotor to control the direction of the motor CW (Clockwise), and ACW (Anti
Clockwise) at a particular angle where the sun rays are tracked. Then the energy generated
by the solar panel is stored in the storage device or given to the load. Since the entire system
is situated on water, it reduces the demand for land, making it a space-efficient solution.

Fig. 3. Hardware model of FPV system

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4 Results and Discussions

Tables 2, 3, and 4 summarize the performance data for the solar PV system under different
conditions. Table 2 presents hourly solar PV output, while Table 3 shows LDR voltage
readings during a cloudy day. Table 4 provides LDR voltage outputs on a sunny day. These
LDRs sense the light radiation of the Sun. The LDRs' light exposure determines their output,
with the tracking-type system, demonstrating enhanced efficiency during periods of high
insolation, particularly in spring and summer. Conversely, minimal energy output occurs
during winter months (November to January), albeit the tracking-type system consistently
outperforms the fixed type by approximately 3-5%. The presence of floating solar panels can
have positive effects on water quality in some cases. They can reduce evaporation from the
water surface, limiting algae growth, and help maintain water temperature. Challenges:
Floating solar panels face challenges related to the durability of the materials used, especially
in harsh weather conditions, such as storms or extreme temperatures. Proper engineering and
material selection are critical to mitigate these challenges. The Arduino serial port can
interface with the computer via USB and digital pins 0 and 1. A Code was created to enable
data collection from the LDRs after every hour to gather the results. The PV array outputs for
solar panel for a for a clear sunny day displayed in the figure 4.
Table 2. PV array outputs for a clear sunny day

Time (Hrs.) PV Array Output (V)

6:00 08.21
7:00 08.86
8:00 09.48
9:00 09.76
10:00 10.28
11:00 10.67
12:00 11.06
13:00 10.78
14:00 10.52
15:00 10.26
16:00 10.01
17:00 09.22
18:00 08.29

PV ARRAY OUTPUT (V)

15
Voltage in Volts

10
5
0

Time in hrs

Fig. 4. PV array outputs for a clear sunny day

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At the specified intervals, the values of voltage across LDRs 1 and LDRs 2 must be read
and recorded. The microcontroller is used to record all the data. Since the LDRs measure
light's wavelength and intensity, they provide a reliable indicator of the amount of power that
reaches the solar panel's surface. The power output of the solar panel is directly proportional
to the intensity of light. Figure 5 and Figure 6 show the voltage across LDRs during cloudy
and a sunny days respectively.
Table 3. LDR Outputs for cloudy day

Time (Hrs) LDR1 (V) LDR2 (V)

06:00 0.275 0.274
07:00 0.501 0.506
08:00 1.752 1.929
09:00 1.628 1.779
10:00 1.9 1.792
11:00 2.908 2.968
12:00 1.988 1.988
13:00 1.982 1.988
14:00 0..974 0.984
15:00 0.939 0.889
16:00 0.822 0.591
17:00 0.125 0.979

6
4
2
0

LDR1(V) LDR2(V)

Fig. 5. LDRs Output for cloudy day

Table 4. LDR outputs for a bright sunny day
Time (Hrs) LDR1(V) LDR2(V)
06:30 1.476 1.486
07:30 2.803 2.838
08:30 3.202 3.989
09:30 3.989 3.989
10:30 4.129 4.148
11:30 4.499 4.589
12:30 4.989 4.989
13:30 4.887 4.989
14:30 4.975 4.984
15:30 4.94 4.891
16:30 4.872 4.789
17:30 3.963 3.939
18:30 2.707 2.814

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6
4
2
0

LDR1(V) LDR2(V)

Fig. 6. LDR outputs for a bright sunny day

5 CONCLUSION
Nowadays technology plays a major role in all electrical and electronic sectors. A floating
SPV system is a kind of new technology and in this research, a single axial tracking and
monitoring system is proposed. According to this study, using the underutilized water
bodies and reducing its evaporation are the two benefits of the floating system that help
maintain water levels throughout the hot summer months. Installing solar panels on
floating platforms solves a significant amount of the heating problems associated with land-
based solar panels. Traditional fixed-position solar systems are limited in their ability to
harness solar energy throughout the day due to their static nature. To address this limitation,
an innovative automatic tracking system has been developed. This system dynamically
adjusts the orientationof solar panels to maintain vertical alignment with the sun, resulting
in a substantial increase in energy output. By maximizing exposure to sunlight, this
technology enables the extraction of a greater intensity of solar energy, thereby facilitating
large-scale power generation.

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