Floating photovoltaic degradation mechanisms and lifetime prediction (KAPLANIE_U26EMP)
Key Details
- Application deadline
- 31 January 2026 for International, 31 March 2026 for Home
- Location
- UEA
- Funding type
- Self-funded
- Start date
- 1 June 2026
- Mode of study
- Full-time
- Programme type
- PhD
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Project description
Primary supervisor - Dr Eleni Kaplani
In the last decade floating photovoltaics (FPV) are experiencing an exponential growth with installations in quarry lakes, irrigation ponds, hydropower dams, while recently nearshore and few pilot FPV installations offshore; however, little is known about their lifetime performance and degradation from operation in these more complex harsh environments [1]. Performance degradation of land-based PV has been extensively studied and may be attributed to various internal and external factors, causing defects such as corrosion, EVA browning, delamination, micro-cracks, humidity ingress, etc [2]. The climatic conditions and environment at the site of operation are shown to influence the rate and mode of degradation and its severity [3].
This PhD project will investigate the degradation causes and mechanisms for FPV operating in freshwater and saline environments and their impact on the module electrical parameters and performance. The effect of environmental conditions and modes of degradation will be investigated to model degradation and predict module lifetime. This will involve simulation and experimental work, with the synergistic use of NDT techniques including light and dark I-V characterisation, infrared thermography, electroluminescence imaging, UV fluorescence imaging, and advanced techniques for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of degradation. Accelerated ageing procedures will be developed and indoor and outdoor tests will be performed in the laboratory at UEA facilities and where possible data obtained from actual FPV installations at our industrial partners.
Entry requirements
Applicants must have a 1st or 2:1 (or equivalent) undergraduate degree in Physics, Electrical/ Electronic, Mechanical, Energy Engineering or related discipline. A MSc degree in a related subject area is desirable but not necessary. Experience in a computer programming language is essential and background knowledge in solar energy and photovoltaic systems is required, experimental work with solar cells/ modules is desirable.
Funding
This project is offered on a self-funding basis. It is open to applicants with funding or those applying to funding sources. Details of tuition fees can be found here.
A bench fee is also payable in addition to the tuition fee to cover specialist equipment or laboratory costs required for the research. Applicants should contact the primary supervisor for further information about the fee associated with the project.
UEA Alumni 10% Scholarships - A scholarship of a 10% fee reduction is available to UEA Alumni looking to return for postgraduate study at UEA, Terms and conditions apply. For a postgraduate master’s loan, visit our Postgraduate Student Loans page for more information.
References
[1] Selj, J., Wieland, S., Tsanakas, I. (2025). Floating Photovoltaic Power Plants: A Review of Energy Yield, Reliability, and Maintenance (Report No. T13-31:2025). IEA PVPS Task 13. https://iea-pvps.org/key-topics/floating-pv-plants/
[2] Kaplanis S., Kaplani E., Borza P.N. (2023). PV defects identification through a synergistic set of non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques. Sensors 23, 3016, https://doi.org/10.3390/s23063016
[3] Ascencio-Vasquez J. et al. (2019). Global climate data processing and mapping of degradation mechanisms and degradation rates of PV modules. Energies 12, 4749, https://doi.org/10.3390/en12244749