Modular floating photovoltaic structure and method for its construction

Abstract

This invention discloses a modular floating photovoltaic structure and its construction method. The structure consists of a pile foundation structure, a socket structure, a photovoltaic panel support structure, and photovoltaic modules arranged sequentially from bottom to top. The pile foundation structure is composed of several pile foundations fixed in the water. The photovoltaic panel support structure is a truss structure with a sloping top surface. The socket structure includes several plugs and several plate plugs. The plugs are fixed circumferentially to the bottom surface of the photovoltaic panel support structure and correspond one-to-one with the several pile foundations, arranged coaxially. The plate plugs are fixed to the inner wall of the pile foundations, so that the top of each pile foundation forms a cavity. The photovoltaic modules are fixed on the top surface of the photovoltaic panel support structure. This modular floating photovoltaic structure has a reasonable structural design, which can significantly reduce the amount of work required for installation on water. It only requires the use of offshore lifting equipment to connect and fix the lifting modules assembled on land to the floating pile foundation structure to complete the installation of the modular floating photovoltaic structure. The operation cost is low, the construction is convenient and efficient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of floating photovoltaic technology for water surfaces, lakes, nearshore and offshore areas, and particularly to a modular floating photovoltaic structure and its construction method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, photovoltaic (PV) power generation equipment requires the assembly of numerous individual components. Taking PV panels alone, the commonly used single panel currently has a power output of 550Wp. To complete a 100MWp offshore PV power plant, approximately 180,000 PV panels need to be assembled, meaning that the installation of PV power generation equipment itself involves a massive amount of work.

[0003] In recent years, the construction of floating photovoltaic power generation facilities has been carried out on a large scale. Due to the special nature of water-based operations, each work area requires the cooperation of vessels, making large-scale construction impossible. Furthermore, completing the extensive and complex assembly work on water is not a feasible solution. Therefore, to reduce the number of vessels and improve construction efficiency, it is necessary to design a modular floating photovoltaic structure that combines onshore assembly with water-based hoisting. This not only saves time on vessel operations but also reduces labor and facility construction costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a modular floating photovoltaic structure with advantages such as convenient construction, accelerated construction progress, and reduced construction costs.

[0005] Another objective of this invention is to provide a construction method for the above-mentioned modular floating photovoltaic structure.

[0006] Therefore, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A modular floating photovoltaic structure comprises, from bottom to top, a pile foundation structure, a socket structure, a photovoltaic panel support structure, and photovoltaic modules. The pile foundation structure consists of several piles fixed in the water according to a predetermined pile spacing; the piles can be straight or inclined. The photovoltaic panel support structure is a truss structure with an inclined top surface, its longitudinal length being greater than or equal to one pile spacing in the longitudinal direction, its transverse length being greater than or equal to one pile spacing in the transverse direction, and the inclination angle of its top surface being adapted to the optimal light-receiving angle of the photovoltaic panels in the photovoltaic modules. The photovoltaic panels are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the photovoltaic panel support structure. There are two suspension points; the socket structure includes several plugs and several plate plugs, the number of which is the same as the number of pile foundations; the tops of the plugs are fixed circumferentially to the bottom surface of the photovoltaic panel support structure, and are kept in one-to-one correspondence with the pile foundations and are coaxially arranged; the plate plugs are fixed to the inner wall of the pile foundations, so that the inner cavity at the top of each pile foundation forms four chambers with open tops and closed bottoms; the diameter of the plugs is adapted to the inner diameter of the pile foundations; the photovoltaic modules are fixed to the top surface of the photovoltaic panel support structure with their photovoltaic panels facing upwards, and their photovoltaic panels are set at an optimal light-receiving angle.

[0008] Furthermore, the pile foundation is a reinforced concrete pile, a steel structure pile, or other form of concrete and steel composite structure pile.

[0009] Furthermore, the socket structure, photovoltaic panel support structure, and photovoltaic module are connected in sequence to form a lifting module, and the center of gravity of the lifting module coincides with its geometric center of gravity.

[0010] Furthermore, the photovoltaic panel support structure consists of several support columns, several top beams, several diagonal support columns, and four bottom beams. The four bottom beams are horizontally arranged and connected end to end to form a rectangular bottom frame. The number of support columns is the same as or greater than the number of pile foundations. They are vertically fixed to the rectangular bottom frame and can form a one-to-one correspondence with each pile foundation. Several top beams are fixed at the top of adjacent support columns or between two top beams on opposite sides. Several diagonal support columns are diagonally arranged between the top beams and the bottom beams below the top beams.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution in this embodiment, the number of support columns should be the same as or greater than the number of pile foundations constituting the pile foundation structure. Furthermore, the number, cross-sectional dimensions, and arrangement of the bottom beams and diagonal supports can be optimized according to the load requirements of the specific water area; the number of top support beams can be flexibly adjusted according to the size of the photovoltaic modules, and the arrangement of the top support beams can be flexibly adjusted according to the socket structure, the photovoltaic panel support structure, and the center of gravity position of the photovoltaic modules.

[0012] Furthermore, the supporting columns, top beams, inclined supporting columns, and bottom beams are made of reinforced concrete columns or beams, steel structure piles, or other forms of columns or beams formed by a combination of concrete and steel.

[0013] Furthermore, the bottom end of the plug is machined into a tapered or wedge-shaped end.

[0014] Furthermore, the axial length of the plug meets the stability requirements of the modular floating photovoltaic structure, and the axial length of the top cavity of the pile foundation is greater than or equal to the axial length of the plug.

[0015] Furthermore, a construction method using the above-mentioned modular floating photovoltaic structure includes the following steps:

[0016] S1. Using the underwater pile foundation construction method, each pile foundation in the pile foundation structure is fixed in the water body according to the preset pile spacing;

[0017] S2. After the socket structure, photovoltaic panel support structure and photovoltaic modules are prefabricated on shore, they are connected in sequence to form an integral lifting module;

[0018] S3. Hoist several sets of lifting modules onto the barge and transport them to the water work site in one go;

[0019] S4. Use a crane vessel to lift the module and smoothly hoist it to the top of the pile foundation structure. Then slowly lower the lifting module until the socket structure at the bottom of the lifting module is connected to the pile foundation structure.

[0020] S5. A reliable connection is made between the socket structure and the pile foundation structure, and the connection method is grouting connection, welding, or bolt connection.

[0021] Compared with existing technologies, this modular floating photovoltaic structure has a reasonable structural design, which can significantly reduce the amount of work required for installation on water. During construction, there is no need for inefficient operations on the sea surface, such as assembling photovoltaic panels, connecting lines, and assembling structural components, which require a large number of ships and manpower. The installation of the modular floating photovoltaic structure can be completed simply by using offshore lifting equipment to connect and fix the lifting modules assembled on land to the floating pile foundation structure. This results in low operating costs, convenient construction, and high efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the modular floating photovoltaic structure of the present invention in use;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the socket structure and photovoltaic panel support structure of the modular floating photovoltaic structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the socket structure, photovoltaic panel support structure, and photovoltaic module of the modular floating photovoltaic structure of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the grouting connection method of the modular floating photovoltaic structure of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a transportation diagram illustrating the construction process of the modular floating photovoltaic structure using the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but the following embodiments are by no means intended to limit the present invention.

[0028] See Figure 1 and Figure 3 The modular floating photovoltaic structure consists of a pile foundation structure 1, a socket structure 2, a photovoltaic panel support structure 3, and photovoltaic modules 4, arranged sequentially from bottom to top. The socket structure 2, photovoltaic panel support structure 3, and photovoltaic modules 4 are connected sequentially to form a hoisting module. The pile foundation structure 1 and the hoisting module are separate structures, allowing the pile foundation structure 1 to be pre-installed in the water, and then the hoisting module, assembled on land, can be directly hoisted onto and fixedly connected to the pile foundation structure 1, thus achieving convenient construction of the floating photovoltaic structure. Specifically,

[0029] The pile foundation structure 1 consists of four pile foundations, which are fixed at a designated location in the water body through underwater pile foundation construction according to the preset pile spacing; in this embodiment, the pile foundation is made of reinforced concrete piles.

[0030] See Figure 2 The photovoltaic panel support structure 3 is a truss structure with a sloping top surface. Its longitudinal and transverse lengths are adapted to the pile spacing between the pile foundations in the pile foundation structure 1. The tilt angle of the top surface of the photovoltaic panel support structure 3 is adapted to the optimal light-receiving angle of the photovoltaic panel in the photovoltaic module 4.

[0031] Specifically, the photovoltaic panel support structure 3 consists of four support columns 31, five top beams 32, eight diagonal support columns 33, and four bottom beams 34; among which,

[0032] Four bottom beams 34 are horizontally arranged and connected end to end to form a rectangular bottom frame;

[0033] The four support columns 31 are vertically installed at the four corners of the rectangular base frame with their bottom ends fixed to the rectangular base frame. The length of the two support columns 31 located at the two front corners of the rectangular base frame is less than the length of the two support columns 31 located at the two rear corners of the rectangular base frame.

[0034] Of the five top beams 32, two top beams 32 are arranged diagonally on both sides of the rectangular bottom frame, and the two ends of each top beam are fixed to the top of two support columns 31 located on the same side; the other three top beams 32 are arranged at intervals from the front end to the rear end of the rectangular bottom frame, and the two ends of each top beam 32 are fixed to the inner wall of the two top beams 32 located on both sides of the rectangular bottom frame; two lifting points are symmetrically arranged in the center on the outer wall of the two top beams 32 arranged diagonally on both sides of the rectangular bottom frame, which serve as lifting points for lifting the module to facilitate the lifting operation of the module;

[0035] The eight diagonal support columns 33 are divided into four groups and are arranged one-to-one with the four bottom beams 34. The bottom ends of the two diagonal support columns 33 located at each bottom beam 34 are fixed at the angle formed by the two ends of the bottom beam 34 and the adjacent support column 31, and the top ends are fixed together at the center of the top beam 32 above the bottom beam 34 to strengthen the structural strength between the bottom beam 34 and the top beam 32 on the same side.

[0036] In this embodiment, the support column 31, the top beam 32, the inclined support column 33, and the bottom beam 34 are all made of reinforced concrete columns or beams.

[0037] See Figure 4 The socket structure 2 comprises four plugs 21 and four plate plugs 23. Each plug 21 is a short column with a tapered bottom, its diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the pile foundation. The four plugs 21 are vertically arranged, and their tops are evenly welded and fixed to the bottom surface of the photovoltaic panel support structure 3, ensuring a one-to-one correspondence between the four plugs 21 and the four pile foundations fixed in the water body; that is, the plugs 21 and the pile foundations below them are coaxially arranged. The four plate plugs 23 are four circular plates with diameters adapted to the inner diameter of the pile foundations. The four plate plugs 23 are horizontally arranged and welded to the base of the photovoltaic panel support structure 3. On the inner wall of the top side of the four pile foundations, the top cavity of each pile foundation is divided by four plates 23 to form four chambers with open tops and closed bottoms; the size of the four chambers is adapted to the size of the four plugs 21, so that the photovoltaic panel support structure 3 can be installed on the pile foundation structure 1 through the four plugs 21; further, in order to strengthen the connection between the socket structure 2 and the pile foundation structure 1, after the four plugs 21 are inserted into the top cavity of the four pile foundations one by one, cement grout is injected into the cavity. After the cement grout solidifies, a grouting layer is added between the plug 21 and the inner wall of the cavity.

[0038] As a preferred technical solution in this embodiment, the length of the plug 21 in the socket structure 2 is flexibly adjusted according to the requirements of the sea conditions for the stability of the modular floating photovoltaic structure. Correspondingly, the fixed position of the plate plug 23 on the inner wall of the pile foundation is adapted to the length of the plug 21, so that the length of the cavity formed at the top of the pile foundation can meet the requirement that the plug 21 is fully inserted into the cavity.

[0039] The photovoltaic module 4 is set on the top surface of the photovoltaic panel support structure 3 with its photovoltaic panel facing upwards, and its photovoltaic panel surface is set at the optimal light-receiving angle. The photovoltaic module uses commercially available conventional modules, and the number of photovoltaic panels on it is determined according to the design.

[0040] See Figure 5 A construction method for using the above-mentioned modular floating photovoltaic structure includes the following steps:

[0041] S1. Using the underwater pile foundation construction method, each pile foundation in the pile foundation structure is fixed in the water body according to the preset pile spacing;

[0042] S2. After the socket structure, photovoltaic panel support structure and photovoltaic modules are prefabricated on shore, they are connected in sequence to form an integral lifting module;

[0043] S3. Hoist several sets of lifting modules onto the barge and transport them to the water work site in one go;

[0044] S4. Use a crane vessel to lift the module and smoothly hoist it to the top of the pile foundation structure. Then slowly lower the lifting module until the socket structure at the bottom of the lifting module is connected to the pile foundation structure.

[0045] S5. Inject cement grout into the cavity to form a grouting layer between the plug and the inner wall of the cavity. After the cement grout has solidified, a reliable connection is formed between each plug and the pile foundation.

[0046] In summary, this modular floating photovoltaic structure and construction method can significantly reduce the amount of work required for installation on water. The installation of the modular floating photovoltaic structure can be completed using only offshore crane equipment, eliminating the need for inefficient operations on the sea surface that require a large number of ships and human resources, such as assembling photovoltaic panels, connecting lines, and assembling structural components.

[0047] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed invention. The scope of protection claimed by the appended claims and their equivalents is defined.

Claims

1. A modular floating photovoltaic structure, characterized in that, The structure consists of, from bottom to top, a pile foundation (1), a socket structure (2), a photovoltaic panel support structure (3), and a photovoltaic module (4); among which, The pile foundation structure (1) consists of several pile foundations, which are fixed in the water body according to the preset pile spacing; the pile foundations are straight piles or inclined piles; The photovoltaic panel support structure (3) is a truss structure with a sloping top surface. Its longitudinal length is greater than or equal to one pile spacing in the longitudinal direction, and its transverse length is greater than or equal to one pile spacing in the transverse direction. The tilt angle of its top surface is adapted to the optimal light-receiving angle of the photovoltaic panel in the photovoltaic module (4). Two suspension points are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the photovoltaic panel support structure (3). The socket structure (2) includes several plugs (21) and several plate plugs (23), the number of which is the same as the number of pile foundations; the top of several plugs (21) is fixed circumferentially on the bottom surface of the photovoltaic panel support structure (3), and is kept in one-to-one correspondence with several pile foundations and is coaxially arranged; several plate plugs (23) are fixed on the inner wall of the top of the pile foundation, so that the inner cavity of the top of each pile foundation forms four chambers with open tops and closed bottoms; the diameter of the plugs (21) is adapted to the inner diameter of the pile foundation; The photovoltaic module (4) is fixed on the top surface of the photovoltaic panel support structure (3) with its photovoltaic panel facing upward, and its photovoltaic panel surface is set at the optimal light-receiving angle.

2. The modular floating photovoltaic structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pile foundation consists of reinforced concrete piles, steel structure piles, or other forms of concrete and steel composite structure piles.

3. The modular floating photovoltaic structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The socket structure (2), the photovoltaic panel support structure (3) and the photovoltaic module (4) are connected in sequence to form an integral lifting module, and the center of gravity of the lifting module coincides with the geometric center of gravity of the lifting module.

4. The modular floating photovoltaic structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The photovoltaic panel support structure (3) consists of several support columns (31), several top beams (32), several inclined support columns (33), and four bottom beams (34). The four bottom beams (34) are arranged horizontally and connected end to end to form a rectangular bottom frame. The number of support columns (31) is the same as or more than the number of pile foundations. They are fixed on the rectangular bottom frame in a vertical manner and can form a one-to-one correspondence with each pile foundation. Several top beams (32) are fixed at the top of adjacent support columns (31) or between two top beams (32) on the opposite side. Several inclined support columns (33) are arranged obliquely between the top beams (32) and the bottom beams (34) below the top beams (32).

5. The modular floating photovoltaic structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting columns (31), top beams (32), inclined supporting columns (33) and bottom beams (34) are made of reinforced concrete columns or beams, steel structure pile columns or beams, or other forms of columns or beams formed by a combination of concrete and steel.

6. The modular floating photovoltaic structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom end of the plug (21) is machined into a tapered end or a wedge-shaped end.

7. The modular floating photovoltaic structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The axial length of the plug (21) meets the requirements for the stability of the modular floating photovoltaic structure, and the axial length of the top cavity of the pile foundation is greater than or equal to the axial length of the plug (21).

8. The construction method of the modular floating photovoltaic structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steps are as follows: S1. Using the underwater pile foundation construction method, each pile foundation in the pile foundation structure is fixed in the water body according to the preset pile spacing; S2. After the socket structure, photovoltaic panel support structure and photovoltaic modules are prefabricated on shore, they are connected in sequence to form an integral lifting module; S3. Hoist several sets of lifting modules onto the barge and transport them to the water work site in one go; S4. Use a crane vessel to lift the module and smoothly hoist it to the top of the pile foundation structure. Then slowly lower the lifting module until the socket structure at the bottom of the lifting module is connected to the pile foundation structure. S5. A reliable connection is made between the socket structure and the pile foundation structure, and the connection method is grouting connection, welding, or bolt connection.

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