FR2958382A1 - Floating platform for use as photovoltaic solar panel support in lacustral solar power plant to produce electricity, has ballast whose lower part is immersed in water to assure ballasting corresponding to orientation of solar panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The platform (1) has a fixed joint (4) connecting a photovoltaic solar panel (2) with a floating base (3), where the panel is connected to a movable joint (5) of an upper emerging part (6a) of a dipping element that is separated from the base to form a ballast (6). The ballast has a lower part (6b) that is immersed in water (7) along a variable depth based on a predetermined air-water ratio to assure ballasting corresponding to optimal angular orientation of the solar panel based on a variable position of the sun.

Description

The present invention relates to a floating platform producing electricity from photovoltaic solar panels.

Platforms of this type are known, but the difficulty encountered in their implementation is due to the fact that the means of optimum orientation of the panels according to the position of the sun, generally used when they are arranged on the mainland or any fixed support, are not suitable, as can be understood, when the installation of such platforms is carried out on a body of water.

But the exploitation of open water, of all kinds, has the advantage of preserving the land for crops.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the problem mentioned above and concerns for this purpose a floating platform producing electricity from photovoltaic solar panels, characterized in that it consists of at least one floating base on which at least one solar panel is arranged, the latter being connected firstly to the floating base, via a first fixed hinge, and secondly to at least one second movable hinge of an upper part. emerging from a diving element distinct from the floating base to form a ballast, the lower part of which is immersed in water at a variable depth according to a predetermined air-water ratio, ensuring the ballast ballast and corresponding to the optimum angular orientation of the panel, depending on the variable position of the sun.

This innovation makes it possible to install on one body of water one or more photovoltaic panels. The exploitable area can range from a few square meters to several hectares. The interest is to use the water to optimize the yield, by modifying the inclination of the panels by an ecological and automatic or semi automatic system.

The float and the ballast are of adapted forms to the climatic conditions of the site of reception. The installation may have only one module, but in the case of a large power plant, commonly known as "solar farms", several modules can be mechanically and electrically coupled, whether at the level of the panels, the structure supporting panels, floats or ballasts. Depending on weather conditions and site exposure, the type of coupling may vary.

Thanks to the ballast principle, according to the invention, the inclination of the panel is variable, according to the water / air ratio that it contains. The more the ballast is filled with water, the more the panel will get closer to the horizontal. Conversely, the more air ballast (or any other gas) the ballast contains, the closer it will get to the vertical.

This variation makes it possible to optimize the electricity production in several situations: In case of wind, the ballast will counteract the effect of wind thrust which will tend to incline the panel. Depending on the position of the sun and the seasons, the production will be optimized thanks to a slope adapted to the angle of brightness.

This variation also makes it possible to secure the lacustrine solar farm in extreme climatic conditions.

In case of very strong wind or storm, the panels will be placed as horizontally as possible, in order to oppose the least resistance possible. In case of snow, the panels will be put as vertically as possible to reduce the load.

This variation also simplifies maintenance tasks by providing the best adapted tilt wash panels, inspection visits, etc.

The invention also relates to the features which will emerge during the following description, which should be considered in isolation or in all their possible technical combinations.

This description given by way of non-limiting example, will better understand how the invention can be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 to 3 show schematically a floating platform carrying a steerable solar panel according to the invention , according to three different positions depending on the position of the sun. Figures 4 to 6 show schematically a floating platform carrying a steerable solar panel according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, according to three different positions depending on the position of the sun. FIG. 7 represents a floating base consisting of float trays arranged in a network on a body of water. Figure 8 schematically shows a maintenance nacelle straddling two successive bays of floats and able to run on rails.

The floating platform 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is constituted by at least one floating base 3 on which at least one solar panel 2 is arranged, the latter being connected on the one hand to the floating base 3, via a first articulation 4 fixed, and secondly to at least a second movable articulation 5 of an emerging upper part 6a of a dipping element 6 distinct from the floating base 3 to form a ballast whose lower part 6b is immersed in the water 7 in a variable depth according to a predetermined air-water ratio, ensuring the ballast of said ballast 6 and corresponding to the optimum angular orientation of the panel 2, depending on the variable position of the sun.

According to a first method, the filling of the ballast 6 is carried out by air, by a compressor or air pump injecting pressurized air therein, by an upper valve 8 admitting or driving air from the ballast 6, according to the predetermined air-water ratio.

The management of the ballast 6 can easily be automated a compressor is powered by a portion of the electrical energy produced by the panels 2.

The air is compressed in a tank connected to one or more ballasts by a valve 8, which has the effect of increasing the flotation of the ballast by flushing the water.

A hole 9 is made at the bottom of the ballast to allow the operation of the system.

It is the valve 8 which allows the admission or the escape of the air, which has the effect of reducing the flotation of the ballast 6, or vice versa.

According to another method, the filling of the ballast 30 6 is carried out by water, by a pump injecting pressurized water therein, expelling the air which it contains by a higher vent, according to the air-to-air ratio. predetermined water.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the ballast 6 comprises a floating anchor 10, which is attached to it at its submerged lower part 6b, making it possible to reduce the parasitic movements of the platform 1, due to the rippling of the water 7.

As shown in the figures, the floating anchor 10 of the ballast 6 forms a hollow cone whose apex 10a is directed downwards, so as to allow rapid casting of the ballast 6 and a slow ascent thanks to a parachute effect.

Furthermore, the filling or exhaust ballast 6 is effected via solenoid valves controlled by an inclinometer (not shown), measuring the inclination of the corresponding panel 2.

When the panel 2 is too vertical, the inclinometer controls the opening of the solenoid valve which will purge the air from the ballast 6. The latter will then sink into the water 7 and increase the inclination of the panel until the inclinometer returns to the set value.

On the contrary, if the panel 2 is too horizontal, the inclinometer controls the opening of the solenoid valve which will fill the ballast 6 with air and expel the water 7. The latter will then come out of the water 7 and decrease the inclination of the panel 2, until the inclinometer returns to the set value.

To improve the operation, the installation can be optimized with a programmable controller that will react to the inclinometer's orders by adapting the air / water ratio of the ballasts 6: - Modification of inclination according to time, date, seasons , - Modification of inclination according to the weather conditions, thanks to the addition of an anemometer and a load sensor (snow), - Modification of inclination on a maintenance control, - Modification of inclination by reading of power generation to maximize efficiency.

In addition, the addition of a communicating controller makes it possible to: - Manage the maintenances, by analyzing operating cycles, for example by signaling that it is time to check the solenoid valves, the wear of which is directly linked to operation and therefore by definition, variable according to the weather conditions of the site, - Give fault alerts, for example, thanks to sensors on the 6,6A ballast or a ballast line. If the pressure in the ballast exceeds programmed minimum or maximum values, this indicates an air leak (ballast dives) or a blocked solenoid valve open (the ballast is rising). A backup device may either purge the air or trigger the inflow of buoys powered by autonomous compressed air cylinders.

According to the embodiment variant shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the platform 1A consists of a central floating base 3A and two plunger elements 6A, 6B forming a ballast, located on either side of the floating base 3A, the 2A solar panel being connected thereto by a fixed central articulation 4A, and to the plunger elements 6A, 6B by two movable joints 5A, 11A located on the panel 2A, substantially equidistant from the central articulation 4A, in the manner of a pendulum.

As before, to restore the ideal operating angle, the inclinometer controls the opening of the solenoid valve which will purge the air from the ballast 6A adequate. The latter will then sink. In parallel, the inclinometer controls the opening of the solenoid valve of the other ballast 6B, which will fill it with air and drive out the water. The combined effort of the two ballasts will therefore establish the balance of the panel 2A until the inclinometer gives a stop information.

According to another characteristic of the invention not shown, an electric motor equipped with a propeller and an anchor, maintaining the floating base 3,3A in the middle, provides pivoting of the panel 2,2A on its axis.

The system is then mobile no longer on one axis, but on two. As a result, the yield is further increased. The electrical connection will be by a mast aligned on the axis of the pivot point. A panel consisting of a set of cells, it is sufficient to arrange a space to let this mast.

The platform comprises a plurality of modules formed by as many solar panels 2,2A floating bases 3,3A and 6,6A ballast forming elements, said modules being assembled and electrically connected to each other and mounted on a bearing structure, before its impoundment.

A mechanical system, not shown here, will block the ballast if it, for technical reasons, exceeded the maximum or minimum values that the installer has imposed.

In the case of using air as a flotation management means, several ballasts may be connected together, the air balancing a solidarity unit. This reduces costs and optimizes the rigidity of the system.

According to another characteristic of the invention, which can be seen in FIG. 7, the floating base 3,3A consists of float bays 12 arranged in a network, and with respect to which the ballasts 6 are actuated.

In this case, the float traps 12 constituting its floating base 3,3A are distributed by rails 13, on which a carriage or nacelle 14, on which the maintenance means 15 of the photovoltaic panels (FIG. 8).

According to an alternative embodiment, the float bays constituting its floating base are equipped with a lifeline capable of securing maintenance personnel.

The objective is to have a means of maintenance allowing technicians to access all the surface of the panels, whether for maintenance (cleaning, inspection, etc.) or maintenance (repair, change of panels).

The system allows the use of water bodies as a solar farm support. This innovative solution brings several advantages.

It is economical: - Compared to a solar farm on land, it allows to optimize the yield inexpensively the yield is better than a traditional solar farm, - The implementation is optimized: the panels are assembled and mounted on the carrier structure 30 on the ground and then launched to be set up on the site, simply towed by a small motorized boat, - The tilt adjustments are optimized: solar farms, when they have settings, require either human intervention (mechanical system), or a complex hydraulic and electrical system that is costly for investment and maintenance. - It is possible to design a micro station as a solar farm of several tens of hectares.

15 It is ecological: - It uses compressed air and its own energy produced to operate, - The energy required for inclination adjustment is much less than for a terrestrial solar farm, - It preserves land for crops - It allows the use of nowadays non-exploitable areas, to limit or even improve the visual impact of some 25 sites (gravel pit, water treatment area, treatment plant, irrigation basin. ..). 10

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. Floating platform (1,1A) producing electricity from photovoltaic solar panels (2,2A), characterized in that it consists of at least one floating base (3,3A) on which at least one panel is arranged solar (2,2A), the latter being connected on the one hand to the floating base (3,3A), via a fixed first joint (4,4A), and on the other hand to at least a movable second hinge (5,5A) of an emergent upper part (6a) of a plunging element (6,6A) distinct from the floating base (3,3A) to form a ballast whose lower part (6b) is immersed in the water (7) in a variable depth according to a predetermined air-water ratio, ensuring the ballast of said ballast (6,6A) and corresponding to the optimum angular orientation of the panel (2,2A), in depending on the variable position of the sun. 2. Platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the filling of the ballast (6,6A) is effected by air, by a compressor or air pump injecting therein pressurized air, by a valve of upper fill (8.8A) flushing the water from the ballast (6.6A) via a lower exhaust valve (9.9A), according to the predetermined air-water ratio. 3. Platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the filling of the ballast (6,6A) is carried out by water, by a pump injecting into it water under pressure, chasing the air it contains by a higher vent, according to the predetermined air-water ratio. 4. Platform according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ballast (6,6A) comprises a floating anchor (10,10A), which is attached to its lower submerged portion (6b), to reduce the parasitic movements of the platform (1,1A), due to the rippling of the water (7). 5. Platform according to claim 4, characterized in that the floating anchor (10,10A) of the ballast (6,6A) forms a hollow cone whose apex (10a, 10Aa) is directed downwards, so as to allow a rapid ballast casting (6,6A) and a slow ascent thanks to a parachute effect. 6. Platform according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the filling or the discharge of the ballast (6,6A) is effected by means of solenoid valves controlled by an inclinometer (not shown), measuring the inclination of the panel (2,2A) corresponding. 7. Platform (1A) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it consists of a central floating base (3A) and two plunger elements (6A, 6B) forming ballast, located on both sides. other of the floating base (3A), the solar panel (2A) being connected thereto by a fixed central articulation (4A), and to the plunger elements (6A, 6B) by two movable joints (5A, 11A) located on the panel (2A), substantially equidistant from the central articulation (4A), in the manner of a pendulum. 8. Platform according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an electric motor equipped with a propeller and an anchor, keeping the floating base (3,3A) in the middle, ensures the pivoting of the panel (2,2A) on its axis. 9. Platform according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of modules formed by as many solar panels (2,2A) floating bases (3,3A) and plunging elements (6). , 6A) forming a ballast, said modules being assembled and electrically connected to each other and mounted on a supporting structure, before being filled with water. 10. Platform according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the floating base (3,3A) is constituted by trajectories of floats (12) arranged in a network, and with respect to which are actuated ballasts (6). . 11. Platform according to claim 10, characterized in that the float trays (12) constituting its floating base (3,3A) are distributed by rails (13), on which is likely to circulate a carriage or nacelle (14). , on which are embedded maintenance means (15) photovoltaic panels. 12. Platform according to claim 10, characterized in that the float trays constituting its floating base are equipped with a lifeline capable of securing maintenance personnel.