Techno-economic evaluation of a newly combined hydrogen and power floating photovoltaic-fuel cell system

This study employs analytical simulation approaches to evaluate the operational and cost-related factors of a newly developed floating photovoltaic (FPV) and fuel cell (FC) system designed to produce electric power and green hydrogen. The proposed configuration includes units of FPV collectors, an electrolyzer, FCs, a conversion device, and a hydrogen storage system. The uniqueness of this research lies in substituting traditional hybrid PV- FC setup systems with an innovative solar FPV-FC system to obtain enhanced operational efficiency and cost- effectiveness. Technical and financial performances of system components are thoroughly evaluated through detailed modeling carried out by MATLAB/Simulink software. The model is validated with the calculation of essential system parameters, including FPV panel power, efficiency, area; FC stack power, efficiency, area; total hydrogen mass stored; and overall LCOE of configured system components. Sensitivity analysis of system pa rameters that affect the output performance is also presented. Solar radiation intensity, wind velocity, FC operating temperature, number of FPV panels, and FC stacks are considered as varied parameters. The results indicate that the FPV-FC system achieved peak PV and FC outputs of 470 kW and 440 kW at 1500 W/m? irra diance, with hydrogen storage reaching 1100 kg. The minimum simulated LCOE was 0.16 $/kWh at the optimum irradiance level (1000 W/m?) found through sensitivity analysis. This metric is for the lowest operating-point LCOE, not annualized system-wide performance. For lower-performing operating conditions, this increased to about 0.22?0.29 $/kWh. Increasing FPV panels to 2000 raised stack efficiency to 14 %, while 400 FC units improved efficiency to 13.5 % and reduced LCOE to 1 $/kWh from 6 $/kWh. Temperature and wind had minor impacts on cost, with LCOE stable around 0.22?0.23 $/kWh.