Floating system for solar panels

Abstract

The invention relates to a floating system (10) for solar panels, the system comprising: an anchoring structure (20); and at least one floating structure (22) connected to the anchoring structure; the anchoring structure being configured to be connected to an anchor (31) located at the bottom of the body of water; the floating structure comprising: a support; and at least one solar panel (12) arranged on the first support. The floating structure further comprises three floats arranged below the support at the vertices of a triangle; the anchoring structure comprises a buoy capable of being connected to the anchor; and the system further comprises an articulated connecting member (24) that allows for an articulated connection between the first support and the buoy of the anchoring structure.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Floating installation for solar panels

[0003] The present invention relates to a floating installation for solar panels, intended to be installed on a body of water, of the type comprising: an anchoring structure; and at least one first floating structure, connected to the anchoring structure; the anchoring structure being configured to be connected to an anchor arranged on a bottom of the body of water; the first floating structure comprising a first support and at least one first solar panel, arranged on the first support.

[0004] Such an installation, for example described in document WO2021 / 167465, is intended to support solar panels on a body of water in order to produce electricity.

[0005] However, most known installations are suitable for inland, calm bodies of water with little swell. In particular, these installations are poorly suited to installation in the open sea.

[0006] The present invention aims to solve these problems and in particular to propose a floating installation adapted to rough sea conditions.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a floating installation of the aforementioned type, in which: the first floating structure comprises three first floats arranged under the first support, at the vertices of a first triangle; the anchoring structure comprises a buoy capable of being connected to the anchor; and the installation further comprises a first articulated connecting element, connecting in an articulated manner the first support to the buoy of the anchoring structure.

[0008] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the floating installation comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0009] - each of the angles at the vertices of the first triangle, formed by the first three floats, is greater than or equal to 10;

[0010] - an attachment zone of the first support is integral with one end of the first articulated connecting element; and the first support comprises two main edges, substantially rectilinear, each of said edges extending from the attachment zone;

[0011] - the two main edges of the first support form an angle of between 30° and 130°, more preferably between 45° and 120°; - the first support comprises a substantially flat upper surface, the first solar panel being inclined relative to said upper surface, by a non-zero angle, preferably between 5° and 45°;

[0012] - the first floating structure comprises a plurality of first solar panels arranged on the first support, said first solar panels being arranged in planes substantially parallel to each other;

[0013] - the floating installation further comprises: a second floating structure, said second floating structure comprising: a second support; at least one second solar panel, arranged on the second support; and three second floats arranged under the second support, at the vertices of a second triangle; and a second articulated connecting element, connecting in an articulated manner the second support to the buoy of the anchoring structure;

[0014] - the floating installation further comprises a third articulated connecting element, articulatedly connecting the first support and the second support;

[0015] - the floating installation comprises: a plurality of floating structures, including the first and second floating structures, said floating structures being arranged around the buoy of the anchoring structure, each floating structure being hingedly connected to said buoy; and a plurality of third hinged connecting elements, each third connecting element connecting two adjacent floating structures;

[0016] - each floating structure comprises at least one solar panel, said solar panels of said floating structures being arranged in planes substantially parallel to each other;

[0017] - the first support of the first floating structure and / or the second support of the second floating structure comprises a secondary edge, substantially rectilinear, connecting the two main edges of said first or second support; and the floating installation further comprises: a third floating structure, said third floating structure comprising: a third support; at least one third solar panel, arranged on the third support; and three third floats arranged under the third support, at the vertices of a third triangle; the third support comprising a substantially rectilinear edge; and a fourth and a fifth articulated connecting elements, connecting in an articulated manner each end of the substantially rectilinear edge of the third support to one end of the secondary edge of the first or second support.

[0018] The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely as a non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0019] [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a schematic view, from above, of a floating installation according to a first embodiment of the invention; [Fig 2] Figure 2 is a partial schematic side view of the installation of Figure 1;

[0020] [Fig 3] Figure 3 is a schematic view, from above, of a floating installation according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0021] [Fig 4] Figure 4 is a partial schematic view, from below, of the installation of Figure 3; and

[0022] [Fig 5] Figure 5 is a partial schematic view, from above, of a floating installation according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Figures 1 and 2 represent a floating installation 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 represents a floating installation 110 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0024] Floating installations 10 and 110 will be described simultaneously below, with common elements being designated by the same reference numbers.

[0025] The floating installation 10, 110 is intended to install solar panels 12 on a body of water 14, for example the sea.

[0026] The floating installation 10, 110 comprises: an anchoring structure 20; at least one first floating structure 22, 122; and at least one first frontal connecting element 24.

[0027] Preferably, as in the embodiments shown, the floating installation 10, 110 further comprises: a second floating structure 26, 126; a second front connecting element 24; and at least one lateral connecting element 28.

[0028] The anchoring structure 20 comprises a floating element, such as a buoy 30. The anchoring structure is configured to be connected to an anchor 31 disposed on a bottom 32 of the body of water 14.

[0029] Preferably, the anchoring structure 20 is of the tensioned leg platform (TLP) type. In an installed configuration, notably visible in FIG. 2, the buoy 30 is connected to the anchor 31 by underwater cables 33. The anchoring is carried out under tension, so as to keep a significant portion of the buoy 30 submerged. Thus, the cables 33 extend substantially vertically.

[0030] Preferably, the anchoring structure 20 further comprises a plate 34, arranged on the buoy 30. In a preferred embodiment, the plate 34 is a rotating table, capable of pivoting relative to the buoy 30 along a vertical axis 35. Alternatively, the plate 34 is fixed relative to the buoy 30.

[0031] The tray 34 is capable of receiving equipment 36, such as an electrical substation.

[0032] The anchoring structure 20 further comprises at least one fixing zone 37, intended to be connected to the first front connecting element 24. Preferably, as in the embodiments shown, the anchoring structure 20 comprises a plurality of fixing zones 37, arranged on the periphery of said anchoring structure.

[0033] As specified below, the number of fixing zones 37 preferably corresponds to the total number of floating structures 22, 122, 26, 126 of the installation 10, 110. More preferably, the number of fixing zones 37 is between 3 and 12.

[0034] More precisely, in the embodiments shown, the anchoring structure 20 comprises six fixing zones 37, arranged on the plate 34 substantially at the vertices of a regular hexagon.

[0035] The first floating structure 22, 122 will now be described, under the name “the floating structure”. Unless otherwise stated, the following description also applies to the second floating structure 26, 126.

[0036] The floating structure 22, 122 comprises: a support 40, 140; at least one solar panel 12; and three floats 42, 44. Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the floating structure 122 of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0037] The support 40, 140 comprises a substantially planar body 45, 145, comprising an upper face 46 and a lower face 47. Said body 45, 145 comprises two main edges 48, substantially rectilinear and extending from a common junction 50. Preferably, said main edges form a first angle α, between 30° and 130°. More preferably, the first angle α is between 45° and 120°.

[0038] Preferably, the first angle a is substantially equal to 3607n, n being an integer between 3 and 12. The characteristics of the first angle a will be detailed more precisely below.

[0039] The body 45, 145 further comprises a secondary edge 52, 152, joining the main edges 48 opposite the junction 50. The secondary edge 52, 152 will be described more precisely below.

[0040] The support 40, 140 further comprises a frontal attachment zone 54, arranged at the junction 50 of the two main edges 48 of the panel.

[0041] In the embodiments shown, the support 40, 140 further comprises two lateral attachment zones 56. Each of the lateral attachment zones 56 is arranged at one end of one of the main edges 48, opposite the junction 50 and the front attachment zone 54.

[0042] The at least one solar panel 12 is substantially flat and arranged on the upper face 46 of the body 45, 145 of the support.

[0043] According to a first alternative embodiment, not shown, the at least one solar panel 12 is arranged substantially parallel to said upper face 46. According to a second alternative embodiment, as visible in FIG. 2, the at least one solar panel 12 is inclined relative to said upper face 46, by a second non-zero angle p. The evacuation of water on the surface of the panel is thus ensured.

[0044] Preferably, the second angle p is between 5° and 45°. The angle p is notably chosen as a function of the geographical latitude of the body of water 14, for optimal orientation of the at least one solar panel 12 relative to the sun.

[0045] Preferably, the floating structure 22, 122 comprises a plurality of solar panels 12 arranged on the upper face 46 of the body 45, 145. More preferably, said solar panels 12 are arranged in planes parallel to each other, inclined at the same angle p relative to the upper face 46.

[0046] The three floats 42, 44 are integral with the lower face 47 of the body 45, 145 of the support. The three floats 42, 44 are substantially arranged at the vertices of a triangle 60, visible in FIG. 4.

[0047] Among the three floats, there is a front float 42, substantially arranged under the front attachment zone 54, and two lateral floats 44, respectively arranged under each of the lateral attachment zones 56.

[0048] Preferably, each of the angles at the vertices of the triangle 60 is greater than or equal to 10°, more preferably greater than or equal to 30°, even more preferably greater than or equal to 45°.

[0049] Preferably, each of the sides of the triangle 60, adjacent to the vertex corresponding to the front float 42, is substantially parallel to one of the main edges 48 of the body 45, 145 of the support 40, 140.

[0050] More specifically, in the embodiments shown, the first angle α is equal to or substantially equal to 60°; and the triangle 60 is an equilateral triangle.

[0051] Preferably, the support 40, 140 is configured so that, when the floats 42, 44 are immersed in the water, a space is provided between the surface of the water and the lower face 47 of the body 45, 145, at least in the absence of swell.

[0052] The first front connecting element 24 will now be described, under the name “the front connecting element 24”. Unless otherwise stated, the following description also applies to the second front connecting element 24.

[0053] The front connecting element 24 extends between two ends, respectively assembled to a fixing zone 37 of the anchoring structure 20 and to the front attachment zone 54 of the floating structure 22, 122.

[0054] The front connecting element 24 is configured so as to connect in an articulated manner the support 40, 140 of the floating structure to the buoy 30 of the anchoring structure, in particular so as to accompany the movements of the swell on the body of water 14. In the embodiments shown, the front connecting element 24 comprises a mooring link 62 and a fender buoy 64. The mooring link 62 is a flexible link, the ends of which are connected respectively to the fixing zone 37 and to the front attachment zone 54. The fender buoy 64 is interposed and compressed between the anchoring structure 20 and the floating structure 22, 122, so as to maintain tension in the mooring link 62.

[0055] In a variant not shown, the front connecting element 24 is of the brimbale type. In other words, the front element 24 comprises a rigid bar extending between two swivel ends, said swivels being assembled respectively to the fixing zone 37 and to the front attachment zone 54.

[0056] In the embodiments shown, each of the first 22, 122 and second 26, 126 floating structures is connected to the anchoring structure 20 by a front connecting element 24 as described above. More specifically, the first 22, 122 and second 26, 126 floating structures are connected to adjacent attachment zones 37 of the anchoring structure 20. A main edge 48 of the first floating structure 22, 122 is arranged substantially parallel to a main edge 48 of the second floating structure 26, 126. Similarly, lateral attachment zones 56 of the first 22, 122 and second 26, 126 floating structures are arranged opposite one another.

[0057] The lateral connecting element 28 extends between two ends, connected to each of said lateral attachment zones 56. The lateral connecting element 28 is configured so as to connect in an articulated manner the supports of the first 22, 122 and second 26, 126 floating structures, in particular so as to accompany the movements of the swell on the body of water 14.

[0058] The lateral connecting element 28 has a shape similar to the front connecting element 24 described above.

[0059] More particularly, in the embodiments shown, the floating installation 10, 110 comprises a plurality of first 22, 122 and second 26, 126 floating structures, arranged around the buoy 30 of the anchoring structure 20. Each floating structure is connected to said buoy, by a front connecting element 24 assembled to one of the fixing zones 37 of the anchoring structure 20. The floating structures 22, 122, 26, 126 are thus arranged in a circle around the anchoring structure 20.

[0060] Furthermore, the floating installation 10, 110 comprises a plurality of lateral connecting elements 28, which connect two by two the adjacent floating structures 22, 26, 122, 126, as described above.

[0061] The total number of floating structures 22, 122, 26, 126 of the floating installation 10,

[0062] 110 is preferably between 3 and 12 and preferably equal to the number of fixing zones 37 of the anchoring structure 20. In the embodiments shown, each of the installations 10 and 110 comprises a total of six floating structures 22, 122, 26, 126.

[0063] In the embodiments shown, the solar panels 12 of the installation 10, 110 are oriented in a similar manner. More specifically, in the installed configuration visible in Figures 1-2 and 3, the solar panels 12 of the different floating structures 22, 122, 26, 126 of the installation 10, 110 are substantially arranged in planes parallel to each other. It is considered that the upper faces 46 of the bodies 45, 145 are coplanar in said installed configuration.

[0064] In a variant not shown, the solar panels 12 of a first floating structure 22, 122 of the installation 10, 110 are parallel to a first plane; and the solar panels 12 of a second floating structure 26, 126 of the installation 10, 110 are parallel to a second plane, said first and second planes being non-parallel to each other. For example, each of the different floating structures 22, 122, 26, 126 is configured for optimal electrical production at a different period of the day, said period being chosen in particular from the morning, the middle of the day and the evening, in order to maintain sufficient production of the installation 10, 110 throughout the day.

[0065] The floating installation 10 according to the first embodiment, shown in Figures 1 and 2, will now be more specifically described. In Figure 2, only one of the first floating structures 22 and one of the second floating structures 26, arranged on either side of the anchoring structure 20, are shown.

[0066] The secondary edge 52 of the body 45 of each floating structure 22, 26 of the installation 10 is substantially rectilinear. More precisely, the body 45 of each floating structure 22, 26 has a triangular shape.

[0067] Even more precisely, the body 45 has substantially the shape of an equilateral triangle, the main edges 48 and secondary edges 52 being identical.

[0068] Preferably, one side of the triangle 60, connecting the two lateral floats 44, is parallel to the secondary edge 52 of the body 45.

[0069] Consequently, in the embodiment of figures 1 and 2, the installation 10 comprises a first model and a second model of floating structures, corresponding respectively to the first 22 and the second 26 floating structures of figure 2. In the first model, the solar panels 12 are inclined towards one of the points of the triangle formed by the edges 48, 52 of the body 45. In the second model, the solar panels 12 are inclined towards one of the sides of said triangle.

[0070] Thus, to produce the installation 10, only two different models of floating structures 22, 26 are necessary. The attachment zones 54, 56 are distributed between the front attachment zone 54 and the side attachment zones 56, depending on the desired orientation of the solar panels 12.

[0071] According to a variant 210 of the installation 10, partially represented in FIG. 5, said installation further comprises at least one third floating structure 222, 226, similar to the first 22 and second 26 floating structures previously described. In particular, the third floating structure 222, 226 comprises a body 45 having the shape of an equilateral triangle, with rectilinear edges 48, 52.

[0072] According to said variant, the installation 210 further comprises at least two additional connecting elements 228, each of said elements being similar to the lateral connecting element 28 previously described. A rectilinear edge 48, 52 of the body 45 of the third floating structure 222, 226 is arranged opposite the secondary edge 52 of one of the first 22 or second 26 floating structures of the installation 10; and each end of said rectilinear edge 48, 52 of the body 45 of the third floating structure is connected to a lateral attachment zone 56 of said first 22 or second 26 floating structure, by an additional connecting element.

[0073] Such an installation 210 makes it possible to increase the surface area of ​​solar panels associated with the same anchoring structure 20. As in the case of the installation 10, only two different models of floating structures 22, 26 are necessary so that all the panels 12 of the installation are parallel to each other. The installation comprises, for example, twenty-four floating structures 22, 26, 222, 226 connected to each other and arranged concentrically around the anchoring structure 20, to form a triangular mesh. Only a portion of the connecting elements 28, 228 is shown in FIG. 5.

[0074] The floating installation 110 according to the second embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, will now be more specifically described.

[0075] The secondary edge 152 of the body 145 of each floating structure 122, 126 of the installation 110 is not rectilinear. More precisely, the body 145 of each floating structure 122, 126 has a projection 166 that is cantilevered relative to the side of the triangle 60 corresponding to the two lateral floats 44.

[0076] In the example shown, the secondary edge 152 has several rectilinear portions.

[0077] Consequently, to produce an installation 110 in which the solar panels 12 are inclined at the angle p relative to the supports 140, each floating structure 122, 126 is produced according to a specific model, so as to obtain the same orientation for all said solar panels. Advantageously, the presence of the projection 166 makes it possible to increase the surface area of ​​solar panels relative to the installation 10, for the same triangle surface area 60.

[0078] A method of assembling the installation 10, 110 will now be described. First, the anchoring structure 20 is installed on the body of water 14; then the floating structures 22, 26 or 122, 126 are conveyed to said anchoring structure. For example, the floating structures 22, 26, 122, 126 are aligned with each other and connected to each other by the connecting elements 24, 26, before being towed by a boat to the anchoring structure 20. The floating structures 22, 26, 122, 126 are then arranged around said anchoring structure and connected to the connecting zones 37.

[0079] Preferably, the solar panels 12 of each of the floating structures 22, 26, 122, 126 are then connected to the electrical substation 36, the latter being for example connected to a land-based electrical station by means of an underwater cable (not shown).

[0080] In the installed configuration, the installation 10, 110 is thus able to produce electricity using the solar panels 12. Preferably, in the case where the plate 34 is a rotating table, said table performs a slow rotational movement around the axis 35 in order to optimize the orientation of the solar panels 12 relative to the sun during the day.

[0081] In the event of a swell, each floating structure 22, 26, 122, 126 is mobile in its own plane, substantially defined by the body 45, each structure being articulated relative to its neighbors. The entire installation 10, 110 is therefore stable, even in the event of rough seas.

[0082] In the case where the anchoring structure 20 is of the TLP type with vertical or close to vertical cables 33, said anchoring structure has a very small footprint. Several similar installations 10, 110 can thus be installed close to each other on the same site, without risk of interference.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Floating installation (10, 110) for solar panels (12), intended to be installed on a body of water (14), said installation comprising: an anchoring structure (20); and at least three floating structures (22, 122, 26, 126), connected to the anchoring structure; the anchoring structure being configured to be connected to an anchor (31) arranged on a bottom of the body of water; the first floating structure comprising: a first support (40, 140); at least one first solar panel (12), arranged on the first support; and three first floats (42, 44) arranged under the first support, at the vertices of a first triangle (60); the second floating structure comprising: a second support (40, 140); at least one second solar panel (12), arranged on the second support; and three second floats (42, 44) arranged under the second support, at the vertices of a second triangle; the third floating structure comprising: a third support (40, 140);at least one third solar panel (12), arranged on the third support; and three third floats (42, 44) arranged under the third support, at the vertices of a third triangle; the anchoring structure comprises a buoy (30) capable of being connected to the anchor; the floating installation being characterized in that said floating structures are arranged around the buoy (30) of the anchoring structure, each floating structure being connected in an articulated manner to said buoy by an articulated front connecting element (24); and the installation further comprises a plurality of articulated lateral connecting elements (28), each lateral connecting element connecting two adjacent floating structures.; 2. Floating installation according to claim 1, in which: a first articulated front connecting element (24) connects in an articulated manner the first support to the buoy of the anchoring structure, an attachment zone (54) of the first support is integral with one end of the first articulated connecting element; and the first support comprises two main edges (48), substantially rectilinear, each of said edges extending from the attachment zone.

3. Floating installation according to claim 2, in which the two main edges (48) of the first support form an angle (a) of between 30° and 130°, more preferably of between 45° and 120°.

4. Floating installation according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first support (40, 140) comprises a substantially flat upper surface (46), the first solar panel being inclined relative to said upper surface, by a non-zero angle (P), preferably between 5° and 45°.

5. Floating installation according to claim 4, wherein the first floating structure comprises a plurality of first solar panels (12) arranged on the first support, said first solar panels being arranged in planes substantially parallel to each other.

6. Floating installation according to one of the preceding claims, in which each floating structure (22, 26, 122, 126) comprises at least one solar panel (12), said solar panels of said floating structures being arranged in planes substantially parallel to each other.

7. Floating installation according to claim 2, in which: - the first support of the first floating structure (22) and / or the second support of the second floating structure (26) comprises a secondary edge (52), substantially rectilinear, connecting the two main edges (48) of said first or second support; and - the third support of the third floating structure comprising a substantially rectilinear edge; and - the floating installation further comprises: a fourth and a fifth articulated lateral connecting elements, connecting in an articulated manner each end of the substantially rectilinear edge of the third support to one end of the secondary edge (52) of the first or second support.

8. Floating installation according to claim 1, in which the articulated front connecting element (24) extends between two ends, respectively assembled to a zone (37) for fixing the anchoring structure (20) and to a front zone (54) for attaching one of the floating structures (22, 122).

9. Floating installation according to the preceding claim, in which the articulated front connecting element (24) comprises a mooring link (62) and a fender buoy (64).

10. Floating installation according to the preceding claim, in which the mooring link (62) is a flexible link, the ends of which are connected respectively to the fixing zone (37) and to the front attachment zone (54).

Images