WO2022019845A1

WO2022019845A1 - Modular floating structure for floating solar photovoltaic power plants

Info

Publication number: WO2022019845A1
Application number: PCT/TR2020/050635
Authority: WO
Inventors: Halil Erman ŞENTÜRK; Sami ALHELALI; Barış ARICI
Original assignee: Tyt - Temiz Yaratici Teknolojiler Mühendislik Ve Danişmanlik A.Ş.
Priority date: 2020-07-20
Filing date: 2020-07-20
Publication date: 2022-01-27

Abstract

The present invention is related to a modular floating structure for floating solar photovoltaic power plants and the floats. The current invention is further related to connection means for connection floats used in floating solar photovoltaic power plants and the use of said connection means for the same purpose. In another aspect, the invention is related to a panel carrier float for carrying a photovoltaic panel and a walkway float as a main support floating unit. The connection means according to 0 the invention is ball joint connection and can be double or triple depending on the number of joint arms comprised.

Description

DESCRIPTION

MODULAR FLOATING STRUCTURE FOR FLOATING SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC

POWER PLANTS

Technical Field

The present invention is related to a modular floating structure for floating solar photovoltaic power plants and the floats. The current invention is further related to connection means for connection floats used in floating solar photovoltaic power plants and the use of said connection means for the same purpose.

In another aspect, the invention is related to a panel carrier float for carrying a photovoltaic panel and a walkway float as a main support floating unit. The connection means according to the invention is ball joint connection and can be double or triple depending on the number of joint arms comprised.

Technical Background

The prior art discloses modular floating structures for solar photovoltaic power plants, that supports photovoltaic module(s) with assembled supporting floats. The field of the invention is related to install floating photovoltaic power plants on water surface by mounting photovoltaic modules on supporting floating structures.

As societies continue to industrialize throughout the world, the demand for affordable and plentiful electricity continues to grow. Renewable sources of electricity are increasingly being relied upon to meet this ever growing demand. One popular renewable source of electricity is solar power generation. The construction of solar power plants is expensive and labour intensive. Each solar power module must be mechanically supported and electrically connected. Additionally, solar power plants may consume acres of otherwise usable land. A solar power module that can be economically fabricated, that is quickly, efficiently, and safely deployable in areas that are otherwise not being used, would be desirable and likely increase the adoption rate of commercial scale solar power generation.

Photovoltaics are hereinafter referred to as "PV" in this document. Cooling PVs to their optimum operating temperature to increase the power generation efficiency of PV is always an important issue in the power generating industry. Installing PVs on a floating structure is an efficient method for natural cooling of PVs. This natural cooling is provided by the natural water behaviours and water cycles.

Floating solar photovoltaics floats on waterbodies, such as reservoirs, lakes, or even protected coastal waters, though reservoirs may be the most suitable locations for a variety of reasons. For instance, reservoirs are typically shallow protected waterbodies. Floating solar power generation can compare favourably to land-based solar power generation systems because the surface of reservoirs often represents unused or underused space. In contrast, land-based solar power generation systems often compete with agricultural uses. Inherent attributes of a water based deployment can be leveraged for effective cooling that increases operational efficiency, extends expected service lifespans, and otherwise increases a return on investment ("ROI") for a commercial-scale power generation system. Additionally, floating solar power systems reduces water evaporation, which is an important benefit for many reservoirs.

Flowever, due to constant external forces including waves, wind and water, the floating solar power systems are more prone to be damaged. Particularly, the joining means between the floats are of high importance considering that said joining means are primary contact of the floats to each other and they play a major role in the buoyancy of the system.

The joining methods for anchoring the floats used in the floating solar photovoltaic power plants known in the prior art comprises a nut and bolt mechanism. The nut and bolt mechanism involve the presence of a puller with a hole into which a screw can pass through. This puller extends outwardly from the main body of the float making vulnerable the same against the external forces. This type of connection between the floats also limits the movement of the whole structure and decreases the flexibility of the floating platform which supports the solar panels.

The present invention aims to provide a modular floating structure for floating solar power systems which do not suffer form the above-mentioned problems. A further objective of the invention is to propose an improved and efficient modular floating structure to be used in floating solar photovoltaic power plants. Another objective of the invention is to provide a modular floating structure that can be adjustable to different environmental conditions. The proposed system prevents the damages that can be created by the external forces on the floating structure particularly at the joining of the floats therefore increases the durability of the system. In the meantime, the joining means of the modular floating structure according to the invention provides the required flexibility and buoyancy for the structure thereby maintains the efficiency of the system. Said joining means can be adjusted according to changing needs of the environmental conditions.

Brief Description of the Figures

Non-exhaustive embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles being described.

Figure 1 is a general illustration of a modular floating structure for solar PV power generation system including a top (left) and bottom view (right).

Figure 2 illustrates four different possible layouts according to different embodiments of the invention including Figure 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D.

Figure 3 is an illustration of Panel Carrier Float (“PCF”) (1) which is a supporting float unit for carrying Photovoltaic Panels (“PV”) (8), top view on the left and bottom view on the right.

Figure 4 is an illustration of Walkway Float (“WWF’j (2) which is the main supporting float unit of the system and used as a path for Operation & Maintenance Services (“O&M”), top view on the left and bottom view on the right.

Figure 5A is an illustration of Joint Connector-Triple (“JC-T”) (3) which is one of the connection means that unites connects three different floats to each other.

Figure 5B is an illustration of Joint Connector-Double (“JC-D”) (4) which is one of the connection means that connects two different floats to each other.

Figure 5C is an illustration of Joint Holder (“JH”) (5) which is one of the joining means of ball joint connection.

Figure 5D is an illustration of Walkway Plate (“WP”) (6) which is used for closing the air hole of the Panel Carrier Floats (“PCF”) (1) that located at the very side of the system layout (F1G.2) so the Panel Carrier Floats (“PCF”) (1) can be used as path like Walkway Floats (“WWF”) (2).

Figure 6 is an illustration of Anchoring & Mooring Support (“A&M-Sup”) (25) which is a galvanized steel part for supporting connection between floats and anchoring and mooring components. Figure 7 is an illustration of the joining means including a top view and bottom view of the double joint connector (4).

Figure 8 illustrates different assemblies of floats according to the invention via joining means of the invention.

References

1 : Panel Carrier Float (PCF)

2: Walkway Float (WWF)

3 : Triple Joint Connector (JC-T)

4: Double Joint Connector (JC-D)

5 : Joint Holder (JH)

6: Walkway Plate (WP)

7 : Aluminium Supports 8 : Photovoltaic module (PV)

9: Connection ears and ball sockets 10: anti-slip top surface 11: air hole

12: crash and shock breaker flaps 13: outside connection holes 14: inside connection holes 15: longitudinal water channels 16: rectangular water channels 17: vacuum cavities 18: smooth bottom corners 19: joint balls 20: joint arms 21 : main body

22: ball socket of the joint holder 23: assembly hole of the joint holder 24: assembly holes 25: anchoring and mooring support Summary of the Invention

The present invention is related to a modular floating structure for floating solar photovoltaic power plants comprising a. at least one photovoltaic panel (PV) (8) b. at least one panel carrier float (PCF) (1) carrying PVs (8) c. at least one walkway float (WWF) (2) d. joining means for joining said floats (1, 2) e. optionally walkway plates (6) for closing the air holes (11) of the panel carrier floats

(1), f. aluminium supports (7) for assembling PVs (8) on the panel carrier floats (1) wherein the joining means comprises at least one joint connector-triple (3), at least one joint connector-double (4) and at least one joint holder (5).

The panel carrier float (1) and walkway float (2) in the modular floating structure according to the invention further comprises connection ears and ball sockets (9) on each of their corners. The connection ears and ball sockets (9) on each of their corners of the panel carrier float and the walkway float in the modular floating structure according to the invention are not protruding outwardly from the corners of the panel carrier float (1) and walkway float (2).

The panel carrier float (1) in the modular floating structure of the invention further comprises outside and inside connection holes (13, 14) for connecting a PV (8) via aluminium supports (7) with fasteners.

The panel carrier float (1) and walkway float (2) in the modular floating structure according to the present invention, further comprises at least one durability means selected from a group comprising crash and shock breaker flaps (12), longitudinal water channels (15), rectangular water channels (16), vacuum cavities (17), smooth bottom corners (18). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, both panel carrier float (1) and walkway float (2) comprises crash and shock breaker flaps (12), longitudinal water channels (15) and vacuum cavities (17).

In a further embodiment of the invention, the panel carrier float (1) walkway float (2) and walkway plate (6) comprise an anti-slip surface (10). In another aspect, the present invention is related to a panel carrier float (1) for carrying a photovoltaic panel (8) comprising a. connection ears and ball sockets (9) on each of the corners for joining to other floats

(1, 2), b. an anti-slip top surface (10), c. an air-hole (11), d. at least one crash and shock breaker flaps (12) on at least one of the sides, e. outside and inside connection holes (13, 14) for connecting the PV (8), f. at least one longitudinal water channel (15) on the bottom surface, g. at least one rectangular water channel (16) on the bottom surface, h. at least one vacuum cavity (17) on the bottom surface, i. smooth bottom corners (18) on each bottom corner, and j. optionally comprising a walkway plate (6).

In a further aspect, the present invention is related to a walkway float (1) as a main support floating unit comprising g. connection ears and ball sockets (9) on each of the corners for joining to other floats

(1, 2), h. an anti-slip top surface (10), i. crash and shock breaker flaps (12) on the sides, j. at least one longitudinal water channel (15) on the bottom surface, k. at least one vacuum cavity (17) on the bottom surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection ears and ball sockets (9) are not protruding outwardly from the corners of the panel carrier floats (1) and the walkway float (2).

In another aspect, the invention is related to a joining means for joining floats used in solar photovoltaic power plants comprising a joint connector (3, 4) and three joint holders (5) for JC-T (3) or two joint holders (5) for JC-D (4) wherein the joint connector (3, 4) is a ball joint.

The joining means according to the invention is a joint connector (3, 4) comprising a joint ball

(19), at least one joint arm (20) and a main body (21).

The joint connector (3, 4) according to the invention can be double and have two joint arms

(20). In a further aspect of the invention, the angle between the two joint arms (20) of the double joint connector is 90° in the double joint connector (3, 4).

The joining means according to the invention can be a triple joint connector (3, 4) having three joint arms (20).

In a further aspect of the invention, the angle between a first joint arm and a second joint arm and the second joint arm and a third joint arm is 90°.

In another aspect, the invention is related to a method for installing/joining a modular floating structure for floating solar photovoltaic power plants.

The installing method comprises the following steps,

1. assembling ball sockets (9) of a Walkway Float (2) together with a Joint Connector (3,4) and Joint Holders (5) for each socket via fasteners to ball sockets (9) of another Walkway Float (2) wherein, a. if there are three different ball sockets (9) of different float units (1,2) in a connection area, a Joint Connector Triple (3) is used for assembling a Panel Carrier Float (1) and two Walkway Floats (2), b. if there are two different ball sockets (9) of different float units (1,2) in a connection area, a Joint Connector Double (4) is used for assembling a Panel Carrier Float (1) and a Walkway Float (2) or two different Walkway Floats (2),

2. optionally assembling a walkway plate (6) on a Panel Carrier Float (1) inside connection holes (24) of a Panel Carrier Float (1) via fasteners for using Panel Carrier Float (1) as walkway unit,

3. repeating the second step of the installation until the number of the float units (1, 2) in a row or a column are reached the limit of the system layout plan,

4. assembling Photovoltaic Panels (8) with aluminium supports (7) via fasteners on the Panel Carrier Floats (1).

The assembly details of steps 2, 3 and 4 are illustrated in Figure 7 and Figure 8.

Only one PV (8) panel can be assembled on each Panel Carrier Float (1).

The system layout plan and number of the rows and columns of the system layout can be different by project to project according to site specific conditions.

Possible different system layouts are showed in Figure 2. These system layouts (in figure 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) are just minimum modular layout samples. By increasing the numbers of the rows or the columns, system layout can be adopted to a specific site. Detailed Description of the Invention

Embodiments of a system and device(s) for supporting PV power generation system on water surface are described herein. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the components of the system.

The system illustrated in Figure 1 is a modular part of a solar power generation system that floats on waterbodies, such as reservoirs, lakes, or even protected coastal waters, though reservoirs may be the most suitable locations for a variety of reasons.

A 3D view illustrating component of a modular floating structure of a floating PV power generating system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1. The illustrated embodiment of the system includes Panel Carrier Floats (“PCF”) (1), Walkway Floats (“WWF”) (2), Joint Connectors-Triple (“JC-T”) (3), Joint Connectors-Double (“JC-D”) (4), Joint Holders (“JH”) (5), Walkway Plates (“WP”) (6), Aluminium Supports (“Al-Sup”) (7) and Photovoltaic Panels (“PV”) (8). These components form the modular structure according to the invention when connected to each other and the modules can be assembled as arrays. Different system layouts can be installed by adding or removing components in the arrays for more economical and environment-based location conditions.

For instance, four different possible system layouts of the modular floating structure according to the embodiment of the invention are illustrated in Figure 2 A, in Figure 2B, in Figure 2C and in Figure 2D.

The Panel Carrier Floats according to the invention (“PCF”) (1) is a supporting float unit for carrying Photovoltaic Panels (“PV”) (8). PCF (1) are customized for carrying and supporting PV (8) and it provides more efficient working conditions for PV (8).

PCF (1) has connection ears and ball sockets (9) on each of its each four corner which serves as connection points to other floats in the modular floating structure of the invention. These connection ears and ball sockets (9) are arranged to be inside of the corners and are not protruding out of the corners. In fact, the ears and ball sockets are located in the indentations at each corner of the floats (1, 2). This structure of the floats (1, 2) and connection ears and ball sockets (9) improves the rigid geometry of the whole modular floating structure of the invention which in turn provides a more durable modular structure for floating solar photovoltaic power plants against stresses of the external forces.

The top surface of the PCF (1) and that of the WWF (2) and WP (6) have an Anti-slip surface geometry which helps to increase the durability of the float and also provides safer conditions for O&M services. The floats (1, 2) used in the modular floating structure of the invention has several features provided for increasing the durability of the whole structure and said features are arranges in order to prevent damages resulted from the external forces including waves, wind and constant movement of floats with respect to each other. As the modular floating structure floats on water, it is dynamic structure, yet it should be sufficiently rigid to support a PV.

This dynamic and rigid structure must have a certain degree of buoyancy to perform its supporting role for a PV.

PCF (1) has an air hole (11) at the middle of the float body. This air hole (11) is for cooling PV module (8) assembled on it and reducing weight of the float.

The modular floating structure of the invention are provided with floats (1, 2) having at least one durability means to improve the durability of the whole structure.

The said durability means to be used in the floats according to the invention are selected from a group comprising crash and shock breaker flaps (12), longitudinal water channels (15), rectangular water channels (16), vacuum cavities (17), smooth bottom corners (18).

In an embodiment of the invention, crash, and shock breaker flaps (12) are designed for reducing wave effects and increasing durability of floats.

Also shock breaker flaps (12) stabilize the float when external load(s) is loaded and provide a balanced buoyancy.

PCF (1) has outside connection holes (13) for Aluminium Supports (7) at the two opposite width side of the float (1, 2) body.

Aluminium Supports (7) are assembled to these outside holes (13) with fasteners. At the inside corners of the air hole (11) there are four inside connection holes (14) for assembly of Walkway Plate (6). WP (6) is assembled with fasteners to the PCF (1) (see Figure 3, left side).

In another embodiment of the invention, at the top and the bottom surface of the PCF (1) there are longitudinal and rectangular water channels (15-16) that reduce wave resistance and increase durability of the float. Four vacuum cavities (17) are placed at the bottom of the float (1, 2) body near the corners for stabilizing the float (1, 2) on water surface and reducing wave effects (see Figure 3, right side).

In a further embodiment of the invention, the bottom corners of the panel carrier float (1) have a smooth geometry pass (18) for reducing wave resistance (see Figure 3, right side).

Walkway Float (“WWF”) (2) is main supporting float unit of the system and it is used as a path for Operation & Maintenance Services (“O&M”) (see Figure 4). WWF (2) is customized for providing buoyance capacity of the modular system formed by modular floating structure according to the invention.

The walkway floats and panel carrier floats of the prior art are joined to each other generally by nut and bolt mechanism. In this joining method protruding parts of the different floats are assembled each other rigidly but this rigidity with the effects of wave, wind or other external factors can cause permanent deformations such as cracks and breaks on floats. Other joining methods may involve joining means which attach floats to each other and maintain their movement on water. It is desired that such joining methods keep floats in close proximity and stable but also moveable on water and resistant to waves, wind and other external factors. WWF (2) has connection ears and ball sockets (9) on each of its four corners which serves as connection points to other floats in the modular system. These ears and ball sockets (9) are designed to be inside of the corners and are not protruding.

The joining means of the invention comprising at least one joint connector-triple (3), at least one joint connector-double (4) and three joint holders (5) for JC-T (3) or two joint holders (5) for JC-D (4) can be attached to these ears and ball sockets (9) and provide a rigid modular structure for supporting PVs and yet moveable on water. Known method for joining of the floats in the prior art may include rigid rods which forms a distance in between floats. This results in a distanced organisation of the floats and occupation of a large surface by the modular system for supporting PVs.

Several features of the modular structure according to the invention helps to improve the efficiency of the energy system. For instance, WWF (2) has an air hole (11) at the middle of the float body. This air hole (11) is for cooling PV module (8) assembled on it and reducing weight of the float which simplifies the installing of the modular structure according to the invention.

The panel carrier float (1) and walkway float (2) in the modular floating structure according to the present invention, further comprises at least one durability means selected from a group comprising crash and shock breaker flaps (12), longitudinal water channels (15), rectangular water channels (16), vacuum cavities (17), smooth bottom corners (18).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, crash and shock breaker flaps (12) are protrusions located inside the cavities formed around the edges and corners of the PCF (1) and WWF (2) and they are usually more than one (see Figure 3 and 4, left sides). They are designed for reducing wave effects and increasing durability of floats crash and shock breaker flaps (12) stabilize the float when external load(s) is loaded and provide a balanced buoyancy. In another embodiment of the invention, at the bottom surface of the PCF (1) and WWF (2), there are longitudinal water channels (15) that reduce wave resistance and increase durability of the floats (1, 2) (see Figure 3 and 4, right sides).

In a further embodiment, vacuum cavities (17) are placed at the bottom of the float body for stabilizing the float on water surface and reducing wave effects (see Figure 3 and 4, left sides). Both longitudinal water channels (15) and vacuum cavities (17) are usually more than one.

In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, both panel carrier float (1) and walkway float (2) comprises crash and shock breaker flaps (12), longitudinal water channels (15) and vacuum cavities (17).

The modular floating structure according to the invention comprises joining means for joining means for joining floats subject to the invention. Said joining means comprise a joint connector (3, 4) and a joint holder (5) wherein the joint connector (3, 4) is a ball joint.

The joint connector (3, 4) of the invention comprises a joint ball (19), at least one joint arm (20) and a main body (21). The joint connectors can be made from plastic, metal or composite materials. The general geometry and the dimensions of the main body (21) and the arms (20) can be changed according to topology optimization and material.

When the joint connector (3, 4) comprises at least two joint arms (20) it is a double joint connector (4) (see Figure 5B).

When the joint connector (3, 4) comprises at least three joint arms (20) it is a triple joint connector (3) (see Figure 5A).

Joint Connector-Triple (“JC-T”) (3) and Joint Connector-Double (“JC-D”) (4) are the connection parts of ball joint connection that unites three different floats (1, 2) to each other. JC-T (3) and JC-D (4) consist of a main body (21), three or two joint arms (20) respectively lined up to the main body with 90° angle and three or two joint balls (19) at the end of the joint arms (20). The angle between the joint arms helps to maintain the floats (1, 2) in proximity to each other. This prevents the damage that be caused by the waves and maintains the floats (1, 2) in a more rigid structure.

The ball joint of the joint connector allows the required flexibility for the floats (1, 2) and flexible movement in every direction (See Figure 7). While the system moving by the effects of wave and wind, there would be no stress on the connections until the value of the angle between two adjacent floats reaches a certain limit. This limit value can be increased or decreased by changing dimensions of JCs’ (3, 4) ball and arm and changing dimensions of ball sockets at the floats’ (1, 2) ears. In this way system’s flexibility can be adapted to different site conditions such as wave height changes and water level changes. This flexibility provides less wave resistance across the entire system. This reduces the fatigue stresses consisted on the floats’ (1, 2) connection ears and ball sockets (9) caused by the wave behaviours and increases the durability of the floating system.

The fact that the connection ears and ball sockets (9) are not protruded and the joining means attached to them are located in the indentations at the corner of the floats (1, 2) allows a protection for the connection in between the floats (1, 2)

Accordingly, the joining means of the invention not only provides a protected joining method but also an adjustable joining method according to the different conditions where floating solar photovoltaic power plants can be applicable.

Another joining means of the invention is the joint holder (5) which serves as a socket and completes connection of the Joint Connectors’ (4)(5) and the floats (1)(2) (See Figure 5C). The joint holder (5) is formed of two parts: ball socket of the joint holder (22) and assembly hole of the joint holder (23). The socket of the joint holder corresponds to the connection ears and ball sockets (9) of the floats and joint balls reside in the ball socket of the joint holder (22) while assembly hole of the joint holder (23) serves for fixation the joining.

Another component of the modular floating structure according to the invention illustrated in Figure 5D is the Walkway Plate (“WP”) (6). Walkway Plate (“WP”) (6) closes the air hole of the Panel Carrier Floats (“PCF”) (1) that located at the very side of the system layout (See Figure 2) when the Panel Carrier Floats (“PCF”) (1) are used as path like Walkway Floats (“WWF”) (2).

At the inside corners of the air hole (11) there are four inside connection holes (14) and at the corners of the WP (6) there are four assembly holes (24) for fixation of Walkway Plate (6) to the PCF (1). WP (6) is assembled with fasteners to the PCF (1).

The top surface of the WP (6) is covered with an Anti-slip surface geometry (10) Aluminium Supports (“Al-Sup”) (7) (in FIG.l) consist three different components such as support column profiles, support rails and PV module clamps. Aluminium Supports (Al-Sup) (7) are used for assembling PVs (8) on the Panel Carrier Floats (“PCF”) (1). Aluminium Supports (“Al-Sup”)

(7) can contain plastic rubber seals according to the PV (8) type and connection type of the PV

(8). This plastic rubber seals protects PV surface from frictions between aluminium supports and PV.

Photovoltaic Module (“PV”) (8) is illustrated in Figure 1. Photovoltaic Modules (“PV”) (8) used for generating power and have different types such as framed module and frameless module (glass-glass module). There are many PV (8) modules according to different dimensions. Profile sections and dimensions of the Aluminium Supports’ (“Al-Sup”) (7) can be changed at the design phase of Al-Sups (7) for assembling the different types of PVs (8). Also, this change can be done for adjusting the tilt angle of the PVs (8). Figure 6 is an illustration of Anchoring & Mooring Support (“A&M-Sup”) (25). Anchoring & Mooring Support (“A&M-Sup”) (25) is a galvanized steel part for supporting connection between floats and anchoring and mooring components. Anchoring & Mooring Support (25) is assembled to ears of the floats (9) by fasteners.

All the fasteners used for assembling the components of the system are stainless steel. Fasteners dimensions and types can be changed according to design.

Claims

1. A modular floating structure for floating solar photovoltaic power plants comprising a. at least one photovoltaic panel (PV) (8) b. at least one panel carrier float (PCF) (1) carrying PVs (8) c. at least one walkway float (WWF) (2) d. joining means for joining said floats (1, 2) e. optionally walkway plates (6) for closing the air holes (11) of the panel carrier floats

(1), f. aluminium supports (7) for assembling PVs (8) on the panel carrier floats (1) wherein the joining means comprises at least one joint connector-triple (3), at least one joint connector-double (4) and three joint holders (5) for JC-T (3) or two joint holders (5) for JC- D (4).

2. The modular floating structure according to claim 1, wherein the panel carrier float (1) and walkway float (2) further comprises connection ears and ball sockets (9) on each of their corners.

3. The modular floating structure according to claim 2, wherein the connection ears and ball sockets (9) on each of their corners are not protruding outwardly from the corners of the panel carrier float (1) and walkway float (2).

4. The modular floating structure according to claim 1, wherein the panel carrier float (1) further comprises outside connection holes (13) for connecting a PV (8) via aluminium supports (7) with fasteners.

5. The modular floating structure according to claim 1, wherein the panel carrier float (1) and walkway float (2) further comprising at least one durability means selected from a group comprising crash and shock breaker flaps (12), longitudinal water channels (15), rectangular water channels (16), vacuum cavities (17), smooth bottom corners (18).

6. The modular floating structure according to claim 5, wherein both panel carrier float (1) and walkway float (2) comprises crash and shock breaker flaps (12), longitudinal water channels (15) and vacuum cavities (17).

7. The modular floating structure according to claim 1, wherein the panel carrier float (1) walkway float (2) and walkway plate (6) comprise an anti-slip surface (10).

8. A panel carrier float (1) for carrying a photovoltaic panel (8) comprising a. connection ears and ball sockets (9) on each of the corners for joining to other floats

9. The panel carrier float (1) according to claim 8, wherein the connection ears and ball sockets (9) are not protruding outwardly from the corners of the panel carrier floats (1).

10. A walkway float (1) as a main support floating unit comprising a. connection ears and ball sockets (9) on each of the corners for joining to other floats

(1, 2), b. an anti-slip top surface (10), c. crash and shock breaker flaps (12) on the sides, d. at least one longitudinal water channel (15) on the bottom surface, e. at least one vacuum cavity (17) on the bottom surface.

11. The walkway float (1) according to claim 10, wherein the connection ears and ball sockets (9) are not protruding outwardly from the corners of the panel carrier floats (1).

12. A joining means for joining floats used in solar photovoltaic power plants comprising a joint connector (3, 4) and three joint holders (5) for JC-T (3) or two joint holders (5) for JC- D (4) wherein the joint connector (3, 4) is a ball joint.

13. The joining means according to claim 12, wherein the joint connector (3, 4) comprises a joint ball (19), at least one joint arm (20) and a main body (21).

14. The joining means according to claim 13, wherein the joint connector (3, 4) is double and has two joint arms (20).

15. The joining means according to claim 13, wherein the angle between the two joint arms (20) of the joint connector is 90°.

16. The joining means according to claim 12, wherein the joint connector (3, 4) is triple and has three joint arms (20).

17. The joining means according to claim 16, wherein the angle between a first joint arm and a second joint arm and the second joint arm and a third joint arm is 90°.

18. A modular floating structure for floating solar photovoltaic power plants comprising a. at least one photovoltaic panel (PV) (8) b. at least one panel carrier float (PCF) (1) carrying PVs (8) according to claim 8, c. at least one walkway float (1) as a main support floating unit according to claim 10 d. joining means for joining said floats (1, 2), e. optionally walkway plates (6) for closing the air holes (11) of the panel carrier floats

(1), f. aluminium supports (7) for assembling PVs (8) on the panel carrier floats (1) wherein the joining means are according to claim 12.

19. Use of joining means for joining the floats (1, 2) in a modular floating structure for floating solar photovoltaic power plants wherein the joining means comprise a joint connector (3, 4) and three joint holders (5) for JC-T (3) or two joint holders (5) for JC-D (4) and wherein the joint connector (3, 4) is a ball joint.

20. A method for installing the modular floating structure according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the following steps