Hydrodynamic performance of a floating photovoltaic power generation platform

Growing demand for renewable energy and limited land availability are driving interest in floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems. However, offshore deployment poses stability challenges under waves, currents, and winds. This study proposes a marine FPV platform incorporating an oscillation-reducing device to mitigate wave-induced motions. Computational fluid dynamics simulations and scaled wave tank tests characterize heave and surge responses across varying wave heights and periods. The results indicate that both heave and surge motions increase with rising wave height and lengthening wave period. Platform motions become especially pronounced for long wave periods and large wave heights. The device substantially reduces these motions, accelerates stabilization, and maintains peak displacements within safe operational limits. These findings demonstrate the device’s effectiveness in improving platform stability under severe wave conditions and provide a theoretical foundation and design guidance for large-scale offshore FPV installations.