WO2017118998A1

WO2017118998A1 - Floating solar platform

Info

Publication number: WO2017118998A1
Application number: PCT/IN2017/000004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pankaj Kumar
Original assignee: Agarwal Siddhant
Priority date: 2016-01-08
Filing date: 2017-01-06
Publication date: 2017-07-13

Abstract

A floating solar platform includes a unified floating structure that is formed of a horizontal mesh of one or more horizontal support members connected to each other in a matrix pattern, and one or more vertical support members fixedly mounted on the horizontal mesh, a horizontal planar modular deck fixedly mounted on the unified floating structure, the horizontal planar modular deck being provided with at least one of: cables, inverters, micro-inverters, batteries, mechanical couplings, fiat structural panels, angle-bars, ί-beams and walkway panels, one or more arrays of solar panels mounted on the horizontal planar modular deck for generating electricity from solar energy, and a cable system connected to the one or more arrays of solar panels for supplying power to utility and an off-grid facility.

Description

FLOATING SOLAR PLATFORM

BACKGROUND

Field of the invention

[001] The present invention relates generally to a floating solar platform, and more particularly to an innovative floating solar platform that can be used to install renewable source of energy, preferably solar photovoltaic panels to supply power to utility grid or as an off-grid facility or both.

Description of the related art

[002] Amongst various sources of energy, the need for green and clean energy is inevitable given the increasing level of greenhouse gas emission and depleting conventional resources such as coal and oil. Further, the renewable energy is a practical and environmentally conscious alternative to traditional electricity production means. In the wake of this, the government of different countries such as India, USA, and Australia etc. are adopting policies to support and enhance the footprints of rooftop installations and land based solar arrays installations. However, the rooftop installations and land based installations are associated with several issues and limitations.

[003] For instance, a large number of commercial buildings and residential homes are not fit for rooftop installation for various reasons, including incorrect roof orientation, lack of usable roof area, shading issues, prohibitive, cost, architectural aesthetic considerations, an inability to use tax vehicles, dead and live load limitations, roofing warranty, and so on. All these factors pose several challenges to the long-term use of solar energy through. means^'of rooftop installation and hence a limited footprint Any tali or wide structures such as residential and commercial buildings, shopping malls, flyovers, foot bridges, trees and any other structure that cast shadows in surrounding area make such area unfit to install solar panels.

[004] Further, the land requirement for installing solar farms is huge and for a. considerable power facility, the requirement is much bigger, in many countries like Japan and Singapore, the land resource is scarce and where a premium cost is attached for even a small piece of land, the land can be utilized for a number of better commercial purposes other than for solar array installations. Similarly, for developing nations like India and many Asian countries, where most of the land is fertile and is used for agricultural purposes, it is difficult to spare a substantial land area except for few pockets of unproductive land for purposes like solar power generation.

[005] The long coastline of developing countries such as India, China and African nations offer a vast possibility of installing such floating solar platforms that can address the problem of land availability for solar farms and can generate huge amount of power to meet the growing energy demand. Moreover, numerous irrigation canals, dams, reservoirs, lakes and ponds that are spread across the countries offer a huge potential to tap renewable energy through this innovative floating platform.

[006] In recent times, some attempts have been made to develop platforms to float multiple arrays of solar panels in water. However these designs suffer from severe limitations of usability. A significant portion of such platforms interacts with water- surface, and a water plane area of such platforms is quite substantial. The water plane area is the area of the cross section through the floating body taken at its actual_, intersection with water. In the presence of dynamic environment of seas and oceans, a high water plane area induces high degree of undesired motion, thereby making it difficult for such units to effectively capture solar rays falling on the water surface. Further, the severe motion of platform due to high water plane area, restricts its usability to only still water bodies such as ponds or lakes and prevents its usability in sea or ocean.

[007] Further, such platforms have a poor sea-keeping ability owing to the reason mentioned above, and hence can be used only in still waters thereby significantly reducing the utility of such units in terms of applicability and scalability.

(008] Apart from poor sea keeping, the strength of structure of existing floating solar platforms is not sufficient to bear the wave loads in sea and oceans. Hence, such platforms suffer significantly in terms of scalability and applicability.

[009] Further, existing platforms may be made by connecting individual blocks together, mostly made up of High Density Polyethylene (HOPE), resulting in several degrees of freedom and hence lacking overall system rigidity. This loss of rigidity raises major safety concerns especially due to foot loads during maintenance operation, as the individual blocks tend to move significantly relative to each other.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to address and/or ameliorate the problems in the rooftop installations and land based installations of the solar panels.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a floating solar platform which has a stable structure, and in which undesired motion is restricted significantly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, a floating solar platform is provided that includes a unified floating structure that is formed of a horizontal mesh of one or more horizontal support members connected to each other in a matrix pattern, and one or more vertical support members fixedly mounted on the horizontal mesh. A' horizontal planar modular deck is fixedly mounted on the unified floating structure, the horizontal planar modular deck being provided with at least one of. cables, inverters, micro-inverters, batteries, mechanical couplings, flat structural panels, angle-bars, I-beams and walkway 'panels. One^' or more arrays of solar panels are mounted on the horizontal planar modular deck for generating electricity from solar energy, and a cable system is connected to the one or more arrays of solar panels for supplying power to utility and an off -grid facility.

[0013] Various embodiments of the present invention concerns tapping renewable energy using a floating solar platform that includes an innovative floating structure that can be used to install solar photovoltaic panels in a very cost effective way and can supply power to utility grid or can operate as an off-grid facility or both.

[0014] The floating solar platform can be installed easily on any kind of inland water body such as lakes, reservoirs, ponds, irrigation canals, dams or on coastal water zones for a sustained long time period through easy mooring system. Further, many such units can be combined together to develop a huge floating solar facility thereby multiplying the power generation capacity.

[0015] Further, the floating solar platform is robust, easy to fabricate and install, safe and economical to .build and operate. It is easy to relocate and has a long operational life with less maintenance.

[0016] The design of. floating solar platform according to the present invention is simplistic and is made up of readily available tubular members. The design of the floating solar platform is such that it requires least amount of material and least water plane area and still able to achieve high stability to make it a structure that can be used over any water body. Such floating platforms can be installed in calm waters as well as in the ocean because the structure is strong enough to support the loads of solar panels in calm water as well as in the ocean's rough dynamic environment of waves and wind. The platform is designed to maintain its stability while floating even in a damaged condition and under the influence of environmental loads such as wind, waves and currents. Thus scalability and applicability is enhanced manifold by using floating solar platform of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0017] FIG.1 illustrates a floating solar platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG.2A illustrates a detailed isometric view of the unified floating structure of FIG.1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG .2B illustrates a detailed isometric view of the unified floating structure of FIG.1, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIGs. 2C and 2D illustrate various stages of assembly of the tubular members to develop a unified support structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG.3 illustrates the horizontal planar modular deck, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG.4 illustrates connection between the unified floating structure and the horizontal modular deck, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG .S illustrates installation of the solar panels on the horizontal modular deck, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG.6 illustrates a side view of the solar panels installed on 'the horizontal modular deck, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG .7 illustrates the floating solar platform stationed through two mooring lines to the two mooring points 108, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] - FIG.8 illustrates assembly of smaller units to develop a bigger floating solar platform, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG.9 illustrates a floating solar platform floating on a water body in a first floating condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0028] F1G.9A illustrates a water plane area formed by the floating solar platform in the first floating condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG .10 illustrates a floating solar platform floating on a water body in a second floating condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG .10A illustrates a water plane area formed by the floating solar platform in the second floating condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG.11 illustrates a floating solar platform floating on a water body in a third floating condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG .12 illustrates a floating solar powered water treatment plant, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG.13 illustrates a floating -solar platform that includes an aeration system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0034] FIG .14 illustrates a floating solar platform that includes one or ^'more turbines, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] The following detailed description of illustrative embodiments is "better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The invention is described in detail below with reference to several embodiments and, numerous examples. Such discussion is for purposes of illustration only/ Modifications to examples within the spirit and scope of the present invention. set forth in the appended claims, will be readily apparent to one of skill in the art. Terminology used throughout the specification and claims herein is given its ordinary meaning as supplemented by the discussion immediately below. As used in the specification and daims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0037] Referring now to the drawings, FIG.1 illustrates a floating solar platform

100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] The floating solar platform 100 includes a unified floating structure 101, a horizontal planar modular deck 103 installed upon the unified, floating structure

101, and one or more arrays of solar photovoltaic panels 104 mounted on the horizontal planar modular deck 103. In an embodiment, the floating solar platform 100 is configured to float in all kinds of water bodies such as ponds, lakes, water reservoirs, dams, sea, and oceans, for operating as a floating source of solar power.

[0039] A detailed isometric view of the unified Moating structure 101 is illustrated with respect to FIG.2A. The unified floating structure 101 is formed of a horizontal mesh 201 of one or more horizontal -support members 202, and one or more vertical support members 203 mounted on the horizontal mesh 201. In ah embodiment, the horizontal mesh 201 includes several support members 202 connected to each other rigidly in a matrix pattern. Several vertical support members 203 are shown to be rigidly mounted on intersection points of the horizontal mesh 201.

[0040] Examples of the horizontal and vertical support members 202 and 203 include, but are not limited to, a box shaped enclosed structure with a cylindrical tower, mounted at the top, a cylindrical tube, a boxed beam with a polygonal cross- section, and a boxed beam with a non-polygonal cross-section. [0041] It may be noted, that the vertical support members 203 may have different diameters (although of the same height) to have varying buoyancy at different regions of the horizontal mesh 201. For example, in order to get more buoyancy at peripheral region, the diameter of corresponding vertical support members 203 may be increased.

[0042] In an example, the horizontal and vertical support members 202 and 203 may be made up of materials such as Steel, Fiber Reinforced Plastic <FRP), Aluminium, Plastic Polymer, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVQ tubes, bamboo, wood, or any other non-corrosive material, that enable the^'solar platform 100 to float safely in water in all-weather conditions without requiring a complex mooring system. Thus, the unified floating structure 101 is cost effective, easily available, light weight, and resistant to deformation under various weather conditions, especially for sea and ocean environment conditions, where severity of wave impact is considerable. The robust connection among all the support members

202 and 203 of the structure 101, leads to creation of a rigid unified platform 100. In coastal areas, such rigid floating platform 100 can be towed to any location and connected to a nearby grid to supply solar power.

[0043] In an embodiment, each horizontal and vertical support member 202 and 203 may be filled with a light density material such as polyurethane foam etc, so that in case of a damage to any of the component, the stability of the structure 101 may not be compromised, and the structure 101 may remain afloat in water.

[0044] - in another detailed isometric view illustrated in FIG.2B, several vertical support members 203 may be mounted on the horizontal mesh 201 at positions other than the intersection points of respective horizontal support members 202.

[0045] It would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, that arrangement of the horizontal and vertical support members 202 and 203 in the unified floating structure 101 is not limited to the configurations illustrated in FIGs. 2A and 2B. The total number and positions of the horizontal and vertical support members 202 and

203 may vary based on user requirement. [0046] FIGs. 2C and 2D illustrate various stages of assembly Of the unified floating structure 101, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] As illustrated, two tubular members 204a and 204b are connected to each other to form a first structure 205, and three tubular members 204c, 204d, and 204e (herein after collectively referred to as tubular members 204) are connected to each other in a mutually perpendicular configuration to form a second structure 206. The first and second structures 205 and 206 may be assembled together to form an assembly 208.

[0048] in an embodiment, each tubular member 204 may be mounted with one or more helical strakes to reduce the effect of waves. Helical stroke is just an additional strip of plate fitted on the vertical tubular member 204 in a helical fashion. The purpose is to reduce/attenuate the effect of current and reduce the motion of the platform structure. This is especially relevant for seas and oceans where the current is strong.

[0049] In an embodiment, each tubular member 204 may have connecting slots at ends, so as to be able to be connected to other tubular members 204. In another embodiment, the tubular members 204 may be connected to each other through bolting, welding, rigid connector or an adhesive material such as cement etc.

[0050] As illustrated in FIG.2D, one or more assemblies 208 may be integrated together through a robust connecting mechanism into a rigid unified floating structure 210 that has negligible relative motion.

[0051] In an embodiment, the tubular members 204 of the structure 210 may be separated from each other internally through some inner wall or blank space. If a tubular member is damaged by any means and if all the tubular members are ^' connected to each other without any separation, the entire structure 210 may get filled up with water and there is a possibility for the complete structure 210 to sink. . Once the tubular members are compartmentalized, and if any damage takes place at any member, flooding is confined to only one member and it does not spread to other members, and that way the entire structure 210 remains afloat in water. [0052] The unified floating structure 210 forms the basic backbone of the floating solar platform 100, thereby providing the floating solar platform 100 required structural rigidity, and no relative motion between respective tubular members 204. Thus, the solar floating platform 100 has a sound structural integrity, and load is evenly distributed over the entire structure 101. Thus, the solar floating platform 100 may be safely installed in water and further repair or maintenance and dismantling or removal is easy and convenient.

[0053] FIG .3 illustrates the horizontal planar modular deck 103, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The horizontal planar modular deck 103 includes a mesh of transverse members 103a and longitudinal members 103b. The transverse and longitudinal members 103a and 103b comprise mainly of flat structural panels, angle bars and I-beams, that may be connected to the top end of corresponding vertical tubular members, through either bolting mechanism or welding.

[0054] In an embodiment the horizontal planar modular deck 103 also comprises walkway panels (walkways) 103c. that may be used for walking on the horizontal planar modular deck 103 for maintenance purposes. The components of the deck 103 may be combined together to form a rigid structure that is strong enough to support the load of solar photovoltaic panels 104 as well as the team of personnel that may board the deck periodically for cleaning and maintenance purposes. In an embodiment the platform 100 may be provided with one or more handrails across the periphery to ensure the safety of operation and maintenance team. Also, the platform 100 is designed to be accessible from all the sides through ladders/stairs.

[0055] In another embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal deck 103 may be equipped with support systems such as cables, inverters, micro-inverters, batteries, mechanical couplings and/or other utilities.

[0056] As illustrated in FIG.4, the transverse and longitudinal members 103a and 103b of the horizontal modular deck 103 are attached to a top of vertical tubular member, such as a tubular member 203 of a floating structure such as a floating structure 210, using a cross-connector 106 with the help of a bolting mechanism 107.

[0057]. Referring to FIG.5, arrays 104 of solar panels may be installed on the horizontal modular deck 103 for generating solar power, such that a transverse axis . of the deck 103 refers to the direction of a longer edge of the arrays 104 of solar panels.

[0058] In an embodiment, the solar panels 104 may be mounted on the horizontal planar modular deck 103 with the help of hinges (not shown) at one edge and one or more panel angle adjustment arms 105 at the other edge. In an embodiment, a panel angle adjustment arm 105 has several slots on it, present at different angular intervals. With the help of the slots present in the ami 105, the solar photovoltaic panels 104 may be tilted to different angles based on the seasonal requirement to optimize the capturing of solar rays falling on these panels 104. To be able to set a desired angle of inclination gives a huge leverage for varying weathers to get optimum solar rays. It drastically improves the efficiency of solar power generation.

[0059] In another embodiment of the present invention, the solar photovoltaic panels 104 come in standard sizes and may be fitted onto the frames configured at the planar deck 103. The frames are part of the horizontally planar modular deck 103, and are made up of channels and beams. The arrays 104 of solar panels may be fitted into the frames in such a way that one side of the panel may be attached to one or more hinges connected to the one side of the frame, thereby allowing the other side of the panel 104 to rotate freely about the hinge axis and to orient the photovoltaic panel 104 at a desired angle of inclination.

[0060] ^' A side view (as illustrated in FIG.6) of the floating solar platform 100 illustrates the solar panels 104 inclined at an angle with respect to the horizontal modular deck 103. The solar panels 104 are shown to be coupled to the deck 103 through one or more panel angle adjustment arms 105. [0061] Referring back to FIG.1, an area of the deck 103 may be bigger than the total area occupied by the number of solar panels 104 mounted thereon, tn an example, the area of the deck 103 is at least 5%, preferably 10% and most preferably 20-25% higher than the total area covered by all photovoltaic cells/ solar panels 104.

[0062] Further, the floating solar platform 100 may be designed such that a sufficient air gap is maintained between water and the solar panels 104. If the soiar panels 104 are very dose to water and if due to high waves, some portion of solar panels 104 gets immersed in water, it won't be able to utilize its surface to capture solar rays. This point is more relevant for platform 100 installed in seas and oceans. For calm water bodies such as reservoir or lakes, the soiar panels 104 just need to stay dear of water surface.

[0063] FIG.7 illustrates the floating solar platform 100 stationed through two mooring lines 109 to the two mooring points 108, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The mooring points 108 may be nearby land based support or jetty. For a more dynamic environment conditions, a three or four point mooring system may be used. The mooring system can also be through under water anchoring/dumb-weight if required. In general, a three point and four point mooring systems provide better station keeping over a two point mooring system.

[0064] In an embodiment, pre-fabricated modules such as first and second structures 205 and 206 (see, FIG.2C) may be transported to the site of a water-body such as pond, lakes, dams, water reservoir etc. Starting with the lowering of a first structure in water, subsequent structures may be lowered in water and connected to each other therein itself. Thereafter, the components^ of the horizontally planar modular deck 103 namely, the flat panels, angle bars, I-beams and walkways may be assembled with each of the module.

[0065] Further, HOPE floating docks connected with each other forms a robust platform and offer a standing space to one or more personnel to accomplish the execution. Once the entire frame of the floating platform 100 is ready, the mooring may be done through appropriate means to one or more mooring points. [0066] Subsequent to mooring, the solar panels 104 may be fitted onto the deck 103. Finally, the cable laying operation is executed, wherein the cables may be connected to all the solar panels and routed to the appropriate reception point located onshore or offshore. The deployed state is reached when the fully integrated floating solar platform 100 fitted with complete solar panels and cable system floats on water and is appropriately moored to the nearby points. Further, in the deployed state, the power supply has to be connected to a^* nearby reception point located onshore or offshore.

[0067] In another embodiment, prefabricated complete integrated structure fitted with solar panels, cables and other accessories may be launched in the sea- water, and the platform 100 may be towed to a desired location such as jetty or other appropriate site, and may be connected to a power supply point at a nearby reception point located onshore or offshore through appropriate cabling system.

[0068] In an embodiment the floating solar platform 100 can be moored near to a jetty in a port to feed solar power to the utility grid. It can also be installed in a pond or lake to support local power requirement. Further, it can be arranged in an array in the sea waterfront of big cities to provide a source of substantial renewable power.

[0069] FIG.8 illustrates assembly of smaller units 212a. 212b. 212c and 212d to develop a bigger floating solar platform 214, in accordance with ah embodiment of the present invention. Such portable units 212a, 212b, 212c and 212d may either be partly assembled prior to launching in water or it can be assembled completely in the water easily in a short span of time because of the portability of components and ease of connections.

[0070] The modular design of the platform 214 permits corresponding horizontally planar modular deck to have solar photovoltaic panels modularly installed and configured within a short time span in a cost effective manner) after it has been deployed onto the water. [0071] Due to the modular design, the floating platform 214 can be deployed at specific locations with the right configuration and/or "kit". Further, the modular concept of the platform 214 provides ease and portability for assembly, installation, operation and removal of similar units of same or different capacity.

[0072] F1G.9 illustrates a floating solar platform 300 (similar to the floating solar platform 100) floating on a water body in a first floating condition, in, accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The floating solar platform 300 includes a horizontal mesh 301 of support members, vertical support members 302 mounted on the horizontal mesh 301, a horizontal modular deck 303 fixedly connected to one or more top ends of the vertical support members 302, and arrays 304 of solar panels installed on the deck 303.

[0073] . In the first floating condition, the horizontal mesh 301 Is completely immersed in water, and intersects with a water surface 309 of the water body, whereas the vertical support members 302 are immersed partially. A certain portion of vertical support members 302 is always above water line, thereby providing a safe operating freeboard to the platform 300. In the first floating condition, the buoyancy provided by the horizontal mesh 301 and the submerged portion of the vertical support members 302 counters the total downward weight of the solar photovoltaic panels 304, frames and of entire structure itself. In the first floating condition, the innovatively designed platform 300 has enough reserve buoyancy to support the additional weights due to maintenance activities.

[0074] H6.9A illustrates a water plane area 310 formed by the floating solar platform 300 in the first floating condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The water plane area 310 is an area of the cross section through the floating platform 300 taken at its actual intersection with water. In an embodiment, the water surface 309 has a low water plane area. A low water plane area induces low degree of undesired motion, thereby making the floating solar platform 300 suitable for the rough dynamic environments of seas and oceans. · [0075] Generally, in case of several floating structures including vessels, a general term "seaworthiness" is often used. It covers several aspects such as, structure remaining in upright position as well as minimal undesired motion (such as roll and pitch) of the structure due to conjunction of wind and waves etc. Transverse forces set in waves, wind and water currents have a tendency^' to induce roll (heel) so that anything floating on a water body may roll. These are called heeling moments and stability against heeling moments is one of the essential criteria in developing any stable floating platform. Stability of floating platform against heeling moment depends on the outer geometry and weight distribution of the platform. Further, favorable motion characteristic is one of the primary features of any efficient floating platform in sea environment. Restricting undesired motion is a crucial aspect in the design of any efficient floating solar platform. Thus, a combination of two crucial aspects relating to stability of floating platform and reducing/restricting its unwanted motion significantly is the key aspect of this invention.

[0076] For a floating platform to remain stable, structure, dimensions and materials of the vertical tubular members are to be designed carefully for a low water plane area. The cross section of each vertical tubular member and its quantity may depend on following factors:

i. wave height and wave current

ii. load to be placed on the floating solar platform 300

[0077] Example 1: Water Plane Area Comparison

For a 250kW solar photo-voltaic system installation, approximately 800'so!ar panels are needed.

• Weight of 800 solar panels = 16000 kg

• Weight of the horizontal mesh 301 = 3000 kg

• Total weight^' of 800 solar panels and other components = 20000 kg

• Weight of vertical tu bular members 302 = 400 kg

• Weight of Horizontal planar modular deck 303= 8000 kg

• Wave height = 2m, 0.5m in water and 1.5m above water • With each panel of size 1.6m x 1 m, each panel need 1.6 sq. m area,

[0078] Adding 25% a

panels, each panel requires 2 sq. m area. To install 800 solar panels on a conventional box shaped floating structure, total water plane area re m area.

[0079] However, by utilizing the present innovation, 800 panels can be made to float on a combination of horizontal laid matrix 301, and vertical tubular members 302 made of 200 mm outer diameter tubes

• Total number of vertical tubes = 144 nos.

• Water plane area of each vertical tube - 0.0315 sq. m

• Total water plane area needed for the floating platform 300= 144 x 0.03 IS » 4.54 sq. m.

[0080] . Thus, the water plane area (WPA) needed by the floating solar platform 300 is 4.S4 sq.m, which is only 0.3% of the area (1600 sq.m) required by conventional box shaped floating body structures. This drastic reduction by 99.7% ensures the stability and restriction of unwanted motion of the platform 300 in the rough dynamic environments of seas and oceans.

[0081]FIG .10 illustrates a floating solar platform 400 floating on a water body .in a second floating condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] The floating solar platform 400 includes a horizontal mesh 401 of support members, vertical support members 402 mounted on the horizontal mesh 401, a horizontal modular deck 403 fixedly connected to one or more top ends of the vertical support members 402, and arrays 404 of solar panels installed on the deck 403.

[0083] In the second floating condition, both the horizontal mesh 401 and vertical support members 402 are not at all immersed in water, and float on a water surface 409.

[0084] FIG.10A illustrates a water plane area 410 formed by the floating solar platform 400 in the second floating condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the second floating condition, the water surface 409 forms a higher water plane area as competed to the water «ptoee-a¾ea 309. This embodiment with a slightly higher water plane area is mainly suited to work in the still water environments of lakes and ponds.

[0085] FIG .11 illustrates a floating solar platform 500 floating on a water body in a third floating condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] The floating solar platform 500 includes a horizontal mesh 501 of support members, vertical support members 502 (not shown) mounted on the horizontal mesh 501, a horizontal modular deck 503 fixedly connected to one or more top ends of the vertical support members 502, and arrays 504 of solar panels installed on the deck 503. In an embodiment,- in the third -floating condition, the horizontal mesh 501 intersects a water surface 509 of a water body while floating, and is partially immersed in the water. Herein, the vertical support members 502 do not immerse in water.

[0087] The floating solar platform 500 has the highest water plane area as compared to that of the floating water platforms 300, and 400. Such floating solar platform 500 is suitable for very calm water bodies such as ponds, where there is no undesired motion.

[0088] FIG.12 illustrates a floating solar powered water treatment plant 600 that includes a water treatment facility, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] The floating solar powered water treatment plant 600 includes a horizontal mesh 601 of support members, vertical support members 602 mounted on the horizontal mesh 601, a horizontal modular deck 603 mounted on the vertical support members 602, solar panels -604 installed on the deck 603, and a water treatment facility 608 installed on the horizontal modular deck 603.

[0090] In an embodiment, the- water-treatment- facility 608 is powered by the solar panels 604 installed thereon, where the solar panels 604 are installed depending upon the load requirement and the capacity or size of the water treatment facility 608. In another embodiment, the water treatment facility 608 may be installed on an existing floating solar platform, such as floating solar platform 100, without changing the integrity of the u nderlying framework.

[0091] Thus, the solar powered floating water treatment plant 600 can emerge as a potential self-sustained solution to supplement existing conventional water sources in coastal areas worldwide. Such solar powered floating water treatment plant 200 can be mobilized to any such coastal zone having suffered some natural calamity, and can be put to use immediately.

[0092] F1G.13 illustrates a floating solar platform 700 that includes an aeration system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] The floating solar platform 700 includes a horizontal mesh 701 of support structures, vertical support structures 702 mounted on the horizontal mesh

701, a horizontal modular deck 703 fixedly connected to one or more top ends of the vertical support structures 702, and arrays 704 of solar panels installed on the deck

703.

[0094] In an embodiment the floating solar platform 700 is installed with an aeration system 711, that comprises of one or more nozzles fitted at regular intervals at the lower portion of the platform 700 preferably either on the horizontal mesh 701 or on the vertical support members 702. The aeration system 711 comprises a set of pumps installed on-board or elsewhere, to generate pressurized air from the one or more nozzles, to perform aeration of immersed structure and also of the water body. Such aeration not only keeps the floating solar platform 700 surface free from marine growth but also helps in maintaining a good health of the local ecosystem.

[0095] In an embodiment, the floating solar platform 700 may be used to install pond aeration systems that can help improving the aquatic ecosystem and cleaning the water body such as ponds, lakes and reservoirs.

[0096] FIG.14 illustrates a floating solar platform 800 that includes one or more turbines, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0097] The floating solar platform^' 800 includes a horizontal mesh 801 of support structures, vertical support structures 802 mounted on the horizontal mesh 801, a horizontal modular deck 803 fixedly connected to one or more top ends of the vertical support structures 802, and arrays 804 of solar panels installed on the deck 803.

[0098] in ah embodiment, the floating solar platform .800 can be fitted with single or multiple sets of small turbines and generators 805a, 805b, 805c, 805d and 805e, at the lower portion of the structure, preferably at the horizontal mesh 801, totally immersed in water, so that when it is installed in a water body with running water stream such as river or irrigation canal, these turbines 805 may rotate to generate clean hydro-electricity along with the solar power.

[0099] While the invention has been described in detail, modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Such modifications are also to be considered as part of the present invention. In view of the foregoing discussion, relevant knowledge in the art and references or information discussed above in connection with the Background of the Invention, the inventions of which are all incorporated herein by reference, further description is deemed unnecessary. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the invention and portions of various embodiments may be combined or interchanged either in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. A floating solar platform, comprising:

a floating structure, the floating structure formed of a horizontal mesh of one or more horizontal support members connected to each other in a matrix pattern, and one or more^' vertical support members fixedly mounted on the horizontal mesh;

a horizontal planar modular deck fixedly mounted on the floating structure, the horizontal planar modular deck being provided with at least one of: cables, inverters, micro-inverters, batteries, mechanical couplings, flat structural panels, angle-bars, I-beams and walkway panels;

one or more arrays of one or more solar panels mounted on the horizontal planar modular deck for generating electricity from solar energy; and

a cable system connected to the one or more arrays of solar panels for supplying power to a utility and an off-grid facility.

2. The floating solar platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more vertical support members are fixedly mounted on one or more intersection points of the horizontal mesh.

3. The floating solar platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein each vertical and horizontal support member is selected from a group consisting of: a box shaped enclosed structure with a cylindrical tower mounted at a top end, a cylindrical tube, a boxed beam with a polygonal cross-section, and a boxed beam with a non-polygonal cross-section.

4. The floating solar platform as claimed in claim 3, wherein each vertical and horizontal support member is filled with a light density material.

5. The floating solar platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein each vertical and horizontal support member is provided with one or more helical strakes.

6. The floating solar platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein each vertical and horizontal support member is made from a material selected from a group consisting of. Steel, Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP), Aluminium, Plastic Polymer, High Density Polyethylene (HOPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) tubes, bamboo, and wood.

7. The floating solar platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more solar panels are mounted on the horizontal planar modular deck through one or. more hinges at a first edge, and one or more panel angle adjustment arms at a second edge, wherein the one or more panel angle adjustment arms include one or more slots to incline the one or more solar panels at respective one or more angles.

8. The floating solar platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal mesh is configured to completely immerse in water, and the one or more vertical support members are configured to partially immerse in water, in an optimum floating condition of minimum water plane area in an ocean.

9. The floating solar platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal mesh is configured to completely immerse in water, and the one or more vertical support members are configured to completely float on water, in a still water body.

10. The floating solar platform as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a water treatment plant fixedly installed on the horizontal modular deck, along with the one or more arrays of solar panels.

11. The floating solar platform as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an aeration system fitted onto one of the horizontal mesh and the vertical support members, for generating pressurized air.

12. The floating solar platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal mesh further comprises one or more turbine generators attached thereto, for generating hydro-electric power.