Evaluating performance-impacting parameters for water-mounted solar PV systems using response surface methodology

Water-mounted solar photovoltaic systems offer significant advantages over traditional ground-mounted installations, yet simulated performance assessments are often inaccurate due to suboptimal parameter selection, underscoring the need for tailored methodologies and system-specific integrations. To bridge this gap, this study investigates and optimizes critical parameters specific to these system types, including U value, soiling loss, and albedo, using Response Surface Methodology, PVsyst simulations, and real-time data from a 1 MW canal-top system, followed by experimental validation. The parameters were systematically optimized to minimize the root mean square error of the performance ratio to 1.37, achieving a 47 % improvement over the initial design and a remarkable 70.35 % enhancement in the tool's prediction accuracy compared to the previous study. Among the examined parameters, albedo showed the least significance, with an optimized value of 9.7 %, while the U-value and soiling loss were more significant, optimized to 49.289 W/m2K and 2.36 %, respectively, with field analysis validation closely aligning with the evaluated values. The study also highlighted the detrimental effects of elevated humidity and increased bird droppings on system performance. The approach outlined in this study enables stakeholders to assess crucial performance-influencing parameters for such systems, thereby improving prediction accuracy and optimizing field measurement costs and time.