Floating solar farm

Abstract

A breakwater 100 for a floating solar array 2, having a ramp 130 and a connecting portion 110 extending from the ramp in a longitudinal direction 11 for connecting the ramp to the floating solar array. The ramp is arranged to break a wave approaching the floating solar array in a wave direction having a component in the longitudinal direction such that the wave is broken by the ramp before reaching the connecting portion. The ramp may comprise a deflector with a curved surface. Also disclosed is a solar panel floater having a first hull, a second hull and a panel receiver pivotally connected to the first hull and the second hull to permit tilting of a solar panel received in the panel receiver. Also disclosed is a support structure for a floating solar panel array and a floating solar farm.

Description

Field of the invention The present disclosure relates to a floating solar farm. In particular, the invention relates to a breakwater for a floating solar array and a support structure for floating solar panel holders. Background Solar panels have been widely used for power generation. They are often deployed on rooftops, empty land and bodies of calm water such as lakes or reservoirs. Use of this space is limited and may conflict with living space, natural resources, tourism and other activities. Therefore, there is an advantage in developing solar farms suitable for deployment on the surface of the ocean. Designing ocean-based solar farms has several challenges, particularly due to the presence of waves which can damage floating solar panels. A breakwater can be combined with a solar array to protect the solar panels from waves. Chinese Utility Model No. CN210899012U discloses a photovoltaic power generation structure applied to a breakwater. This document relates to a solar array mounted on the seabed via a pile foundation, rather than relating to a floating solar array. Chinese Patent Publication No. CN116198671A discloses a marine floating body array with a wave wall, wherein the marine floating body has a photovoltaic module arranged thereon. This document describes functionality allowing the floating body to sink when the waves reach a certain height. Chinese Patent Publication No. CN110626460A discloses water quality monitoring equipment and a solar panel mounted on a mobile catamaran. Summary of the invention Aspects of the invention are as set out in the independent claims and optional features are set out in the dependent claims. Aspects of the invention may be provided in conjunction with each other and features of one aspect may be applied to other aspects. An aspect of the disclosure provides a breakwater for a floating solar array, the breakwater comprising any or all of the following features: a ramp; and a connecting portion extending from the ramp in a longitudinal direction for connecting the ramp to the floating solar array; wherein the ramp is arranged to break a wave approaching the floating solar array in a wave direction having a component in the longitudinal direction such that the wave is broken by the ramp before reaching the connecting portion. Advantageously, the breakwater can provide protection to the floating solar array from the energy and possible damaging properties of waves that would otherwise be incident on the floating solar array. It is advantageous for the breakwater to comprise a ramp because a ramp has been found to be particularly efficient at breaking waves compared to vertical walls. By incorporating a connecting portion between the ramp and the floating solar array, a buffer zone is provided allowing the energy of the broken wave to be dissipated before reaching the floating solar array. The ramp may further comprise a deflector. The deflector may be configured to direct water from a wave broken by the ramp away from the floating solar array. The ramp may comprise a first portion and a second portion. The second portion may comprise the deflector. The deflector may have a curved surface. The second portion may be continuous with the first surface. The ramp may comprise a flat surface. The flat surface may extend from a bottom edge of the ramp to a top edge of the ramp. The curved surface may be arranged to be continuous with the flat surface of the ramp. Advantageously, the deflector may prevent water from a broken wave splashing towards the solar panels on the floating solar array. The length of the connecting portion parallel to the longitudinal direction may be at least twice the length of the ramp parallel to the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the length of the connecting portion is at least three times the length of the ramp length. These dimensions have been found to provide a good balance between a buffer zone sufficient to allow wave energy to dissipate and efficiency in cost and footprint. The breakwater may comprise mooring means. The mooring means may be configured to anchor the breakwater to a selected location, such as a seabed. This provides a simple way of securing the breakwater to its intended location. The ramp may be configured to extend along the breakwater perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. The ramp may be configured such that a height of the ramp perpendicular to the water level is approximately equal to a height of a wave according to the dominant wave condition at the intended location. The breakwater may be further configured such that a quarter of the height of the ramp perpendicular to the water level is submerged in the water at the intended location. The submersion depth may be in the range from one eighth to three eighths of the height of the ramp. The ramp may be arranged such that its upward slope is angled towards the connecting portion. The ramp may have a ramp angle of between 15 degrees and 75 degrees, preferably between 25 and 65 degrees, preferably between 35 and 55 degrees, preferably between 40 and 50 degrees. The ramp angle may be approximately 45 degrees. This has been found to provide the most effective breakwater capabilities for a given ramp size. As such, the ramp angle, ramp length, and orientation of the ramp relative to an incident wave contribute to enabling the breakwater to break a wave approaching the ramp in a wave direction having a component in the longitudinal direction. The connecting portion may comprise at least a first lateral floater. The first lateral floater may be configured to extend between the ramp and the floating solar array. The connecting portion may comprise a second lateral floater. The first lateral floater may be pivotally connected to the ramp. The second lateral floater may be pivotally connected to the first lateral floater. In this way, the second lateral floater may be connected to the ramp via the first lateral floater. This may advantageously provide a flexible connecting portion that can accommodate swell while making the connecting portion modular for convenience of installation. The ramp may be formed of at least a first ramp module and a second ramp module. The first ramp module may comprise a ramp portion. The ramp portion may be for providing part of the ramp. The first ramp module may further comprise a connection interface for connecting with the second ramp module. The first ramp module may comprise a ramp floater configured to allow the ramp to float. The ramp floater may be connected to the ramp portion. The connection interface may be provided by the ramp floater. The first ramp module may comprise a first horizontal plate. The first horizontal plate may extend from the top of the ramp floater. The first ramp module may further comprise a second horizontal plate. The second horizontal plate may extend from the bottom of the ramp floater. The ramp portion may be connected to the ramp floater by the first horizontal plate and the second horizontal plate. The first ramp module may further comprise a pillar. The pillar may extend upwards from the first horizontal plate to support a top portion of the ramp portion. This may provide a modular ramp which allows for convenient manufacturing and installation, while ensuring that the ramp modules are mechanically robust. Another aspect of the disclosure provides a panel floater for a floating solar panel array comprising any or all of the following features: a first hull; a second hull; and a panel receiver configured to receive a solar panel; wherein the panel receiver is pivotally connected to the first hull and the second hull so as to permit tilting of a solar panel received in the panel receiver. By providing floating solar panels using a catamaran structure, the amount of material required to manufacture a floating solar panel array is reduced. Furthermore, the catamaran structure provides greater stability in a marine environment which is subject to a range of wave heights and directions. Also, compared to a typical floater, such as a cuboidal floater, a catamaran structure takes less load from waves or currents, resulting in a reduced load being transferred to moorings of the floating solar panel array. The panel floater may further comprise at least a first telescopic support rod. The first telescopic support rod may be configured to adjust a tilt angle of the panel receiver with respect to the first hull and the second hull. The first telescopic support rod may be configured to provide at least three selectable tilt angles of the panel receiver. The tilt angles may preferably be between 0 and 30 degrees, for example 0, 15 and 30 degrees. This allows a solar panel attached to the panel floater to be set at an angle for optimum sun-facing depending on its location and orientation. The panel floater may further comprise a first support plate provided on the first hull. The panel floater may further comprise a second support plate provided on the second hull. A first corner of the panel receiver may be pivotally connected to the first support plate. A second corner of the panel receiver may be pivotally connected to the second support plate. Another aspect of the disclosure provides a support structure for a floating solar panel array comprising any or all of the following features: a first panel floater; and a second panel floater; wherein each of the first panel floater and the second panel floater comprises: a first hull; a second hull; and a panel receiver configured to receive a solar panel and configured to bridge the first hull and the second hull; wherein at least one of the first hull or the second hull of the first panel floater is connected to at least one of the first hull or the second hull of the second panel floater. According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a floating solar farm comprising: the breakwater as described hereinabove; and / or the panel floater as described hereinabove; and / or the support structure as described hereinabove. Brief description of the drawings Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a breakwater according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a breakwater according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of part of the breakwater of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a floating solar farm according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a solar panel support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a panel floater according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view of part of a floating solar array according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of part of a solar farm according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9A is a graph of experimental data relating to a panel floater according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 9B is a graph of experimental data relating to a panel floater and a breakwater according to embodiments of the invention. Detailed description of the drawings Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a breakwater for a floating solar farm. A floating solar farm is an array of solar panels floating on the surface of a body of water. The body of water may be a lake, reservoir or an ocean. The breakwater can be installed in cooperation with existing floating solar arrays. The purpose of the breakwater is to protect a solar array from the effect of waves, which may be particularly strong in the region of floating solar arrays located in the ocean. The breakwater has a ramp and a connecting portion. The ramp is the part of the breakwater capable of breaking waves. The purpose of the connecting portion is to connect the ramp to the floating solar array. For example, as a wave approaches the ramp, the effective depth of water below the wave is gradually reduced, causing the wave to break. As such, for a breakwater placed upstream of a floating solar array, the ramp can protect the floating solar array from incoming waves. It will be appreciated that once broken, a wave passing the ramp and moving towards the floating solar array could still cause damage to the solar panels mounted thereon. Therefore, the connecting portion provides a buffer zone between the ramp and the floating solar array to provide space for the energy of the wave to dissipate before reaching the floating solar array. Disclosed herein are examples of breakwaters that can be constructed in a modular fashion. For example, elements of the ramp and / or the connecting portion can be modular so as to increase the ease with which breakwater systems can be installed at a range of different locations having different dimension requirements. Also described herein is a system for producing a modular floating solar array including a floatable frame which can be dimensioned as required by the intended location of the floating solar farm. Furthermore, in order to reduce the amount of material required to provide a floating structure for the solar panels, a catamaran structure is provided to allow each solar panel in the array to float on the surface of the water. Individual catamarans holding solar panels can be connected together in order to form an array of rows and columns of floating solar panels. Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a breakwater 100 according to an example of the disclosure. The breakwater 100 comprises a ramp 130 and a connecting portion 110. The connecting portion 110 extends from the ramp 130 in a longitudinal direction 11 to connect the ramp 130 to a floating solar array 2. The floating solar array 2 comprises at least one solar panel 5. The ramp 130 is positioned so as to face away from the floating solar array 2. The longitudinal direction 11 is defined as the direction in which the connecting portion extends from the ramp 130 towards the floating solar array 2. In the illustrated arrangement, the ramp 130 has a flat surface facing the direction of an incoming wave 10. As such, the normal to the surface of the ramp 130 has a horizontal component which is opposite to the longitudinal direction 11. The ramp 130 extends along the breakwater 100 perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction 11 (that is, into the page of Figure 1). The breakwater 100 is shown in Figure 1 from the side and orientated on the surface of the water, such that the surface of the ramp 130 extends at an angle B upwards with respect to the water level. Therefore, the ramp 130 is sloped upwards in the direction of the longitudinal direction 11. The angle B of the ramp 130 can be an angle between 15 and 75 degrees, optionally between 25 and 65 degrees, optionally between 35 and 55 degrees, optionally between 40 and 50 degrees and preferably the angle B is approximately 45 degrees. The ramp 130 is arranged to break a wave 10 approaching the floating solar array 2 in a wave direction having a component in the longitudinal direction 11, such that the wave 10 is broken by the ramp 130 before reaching the connecting portion 110. The ramp 130 can be configured to break a wave corresponding to the dominant wave characteristics of the intended location of the floating solar array 2. As illustrated by the broken lines, the dimensions of the connecting portion 110 in Figure 1 are not to scale, but rather can be configured to separate the ramp 130 from the floating solar array 2 by a length based on the dominant wave characteristics at the intended location of the floating solar array 2. In this way, the connecting portion 110 is configured to provide a buffer zone between the ramp 130 of the breakwater 100 and the floating solar array 2. The ramp 130 is configured to break an incoming wave 10 before reaching the connecting portion 110, so that the energy of a broken wave is sufficiently dissipated by the time it reaches the floating solar array 2. In operation, the breakwater 100 can be fixed to a floating solar array 2 so that the ramp 130 faces the direction of incoming waves. As a wave approaches the ramp 130, the depth of water from the top of the wave to the surface of the ramp 130 gradually reduces to a point at which the wave can no longer be sustained and the wave breaks. The broken wave will then encounter the connecting portion 110 which permits the remaining energy of the wave to be dissipated before reaching a solar panel 5 of the floating solar array 2. It will be understood that a wave 10 does not need to be travelling in a direction that is exactly parallel to the longitudinal direction 11 in order to be broken by the ramp 130. Rather, a wave that travels at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal direction 11 can still be broken by the ramp 130 because the wave will have a wave direction having a component in the longitudinal direction 11. Figure 2 shows a side view of a breakwater 200 to illustrate additional detail compared to the example shown in the breakwater 100 of Figure 1. The breakwater 200 comprises a ramp 230 and a connecting portion 210 extending from the ramp 230 in a longitudinal direction 11 to connect the ramp 230 to a floating solar array 2. In the arrangement shown, the connecting portion 210 comprises a plurality of lateral floaters that are connected together along the longitudinal direction 11. At least one of the plurality of lateral floaters may have a substantially cuboidal form. The lateral floaters can be connected together by a flexible coupling. In the illustrated example, the connecting portion 210 comprises a first lateral floater 211 and a second lateral floater 212 connected to the first lateral floater 211 by a first pivoting attachment 213. The first lateral floater 211 is connected to the ramp 230 and to the second lateral floater 212, such that the first lateral floater provides a connection between the ramp 230 and the second lateral floater 212. Although Figure 2 illustrates six lateral floaters in the connecting portion 210, it would be appreciated that the connecting portion may comprise any number of lateral floaters connected together between the ramp 230 and the floating solar array 2. ln general, the connecting portion 210 may be configured to provide a flexible connection between the ramp 230 and the floating solar array 2. The connecting portion 210 can be provided in a modular fashion by the plurality of lateral floaters. As such, when installing the breakwater 200, the length of the buffer zone required can be adjusted by choosing the number of lateral floaters to chain together. This modularity reduces the likelihood that different dimensions of lateral floater need to be manufactured. The ramp 230 has a ramp length L1 in the longitudinal direction 11 and the connecting portion 210 has a connecting portion length L2 in the longitudinal direction 11. It would be appreciated that the connecting portion length L2 defines the length of the buffer zone between the ramp 230 and the floating solar array 2. The connecting portion length L2 may be at least as long as the ramp length L1, preferably at least twice the length of the ramp length L1, more preferably at least three times the length of the ramp length L1. In this way, the buffer zone may be at least three times the length of the ramp 230 as measured in the longitudinal direction 11. The ramp length L1 may be approximately equal to half the wavelength according to the dominant wave characteristics at the intended location. The ramp height H1 of the ramp 230 is defined as the vertical extent of the ramp 230 measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 11, that is, vertically upwards from the water level. The ramp height H1 may be approximately equal to the wave height according to the dominant wave characteristics of the intended location. The ramp height H1 may be approximately equal to the ramp length L1. The ramp 230 can be dimensioned such that a quarter of the ramp height H1 of the ramp 230 perpendicular to the water level is submerged in the water at the intended location. In other words, the ramp 230 can have a buoyancy such that approximately three quarters of its height remains above the water level when floating in the water. The ramp 230 may also comprise a deflector 233 configured to direct water from a wave that has been broken by the ramp 230 away from the floating solar array 2 and the connecting portion 210, as will be described in more detail in relation to Figure 3. Figure 3 is an exploded diagram illustrating part of the breakwater. In particular, Figure 3 illustrates a ramp module 230a which could be comprised in the breakwater 100 described in relation to Figure 1 or in the breakwater 200 described in relation to Figure 2. Although reference numerals similar to Figure 2 have been adopted in Figure 3, it will be understood that the example illustrated in Figure 3 could be applied to either of the examples shown in Figure 1 or in Figure 2. The ramp module 230a comprises a ramp portion 231 for providing part of the ramp 230. In the illustrated arrangement, the ramp module 230a comprises a ramp floater 240 connected to the ramp portion 231. The ramp module 230a may comprise a mooring attachment 245. The mooring attachment 245 may be provided on the ramp floater 240 as a lobe configured to receive a mooring line (see Figure 4). The ramp floater 240 may be connected to the ramp portion 231 by at least one support plate. At least one support plate may be a horizontal plate extending from a surface of the ramp floater 240 towards the ramp portion 231 of the ramp module 230a. In the illustrated example, the ramp module 230a comprises a first horizontal plate 237, which may be a top horizontal plate, extending from a top surface of the ramp floater 240 to the ramp portion 231, and a second horizontal plate 238, which may be a bottom horizontal plate, extending from a bottom surface of the ramp floater 240 to the ramp portion 231. The ramp portion 231 may be connected to the ramp floater 240 by the first horizontal plate 237 and the second horizontal plate 238. The ramp module 230a may further comprise a vertical support between the ramp portion 231 and the first horizontal plate 237. In the arrangement shown, the vertical support is a pillar 239 extending from a top surface of the first horizontal plate 237 upwards to a top portion of the ramp portion 231. As described above, the connecting portion 210 may comprise a first lateral floater 211. While the first lateral floater 211, and any other lateral floater comprised in the connecting portion 210, may be formed by a single integral component, some examples such as that shown in Figure 3 provide for at least the first lateral floater 211 being comprised of multiple modules. In the arrangement shown, the first lateral floater 211 comprises a first module 211a and a second module 211 b. The connecting portion 210 may be connected to a ramp floater 240 by one or more of the modules. In the example shown, the lateral floater 240 is connected to the connecting portion 210 by the first module 211a and the second module 211 b of the first lateral floater 211. It will be understood that the ramp floater 240 may be connected to the connecting portion, specifically the first lateral floater 211 thereof, by fewer or more than two modules. The connection between the ramp floater and the module or modules of the connecting portion 210 may be a pivoting attachment 214 or any other type of flexible joint. The ramp floater 240 may comprise a connection interface for connection with a second ramp module 230b (see Figure 4) of the ramp 230. In some examples, the connection interface is formed of a plug and socket arrangement. In Figure 3, the connection interface is formed of a socket 242 provided in a side surface of the ramp floater 240 which is configured to receive a plug 241. The connection interface may further comprise a hole 244 in a different surface (e.g. the top or bottom surface) of the ramp floater 240 and a corresponding pin 243 for insertion into the hole 244. The plug 241, which may be formed in the second ramp module 230b adjacent to the first ramp module 230a, may comprise a hole configured to receive the pin 243 when the hole in the plug 241 is aligned with the hole 244 in the ramp floater 240. The ramp floater 240 may comprise multiple plug and socket pairs in the connection interface. In the illustrated arrangement, there are three plug and socket pairs arranged towards a top of the ramp floater 240 and another three plug and socket pairs arranged towards the bottom of the ramp floater 240 on the same side surface. It will be appreciated that the previously described first module 211 a and second module 211 b of the first lateral floater 211 may connect together using the same or similar plug and socket arrangement or any other suitable releasable engagement. The ramp portion 231 may comprise a first portion, which may be a flat surface 232. With reference also to Figures 1 and 2, the first portion can be configured to face an incoming wave 10. The first portion can extend from a bottom edge 236 of the ramp portion 231 to a top edge 235 of the ramp portion 231. The ramp may comprise a second portion, which may be the deflector 233, a part of which is shown in Figure 3. The deflector 233 can comprise a curved surface. The second portion may be continuous with the first portion. In the arrangement shown, the deflector 233 is arranged to be continuous with the flat surface 232 of the ramp 230. The deflector 233 may comprise a substantially tubular shape and may be a half pipe extending along the top edge 235 of the ramp portion 231. The ramp portion 231, ramp floater 240 and / or the plurality of lateral floaters of the connecting portion 210 may comprise high density polyethylene (HDPE). Figure 4 is a perspective view of part of a solar farm 1. The solar farm 1 may incorporate any breakwater described herein, such as the breakwater 100 described in relation to Figure 1, or the breakwater 200 described in relation to Figures 2 and 3. In the arrangement shown, the floating solar farm 1 comprises the breakwater 200 as described in relation to Figures 2 and 3. In particular, the floating solar farm 1 comprises a breakwater having a plurality of modules. As described in relation to Figure 3, the breakwater 200 of the floating solar farm 1 comprises at least a first ramp module 230a and a second ramp module 230b adjacent to the first ramp module 230a. The floating solar farm 1 may comprise two ramp modules, or, as illustrated in the example in Figure 3, the floating solar farm 1 may comprise more than two ramp modules, such as at least three or at least six or at least nine ramp modules. It will be appreciated that the ramp modules may be of a different scale to that shown by Figure 4. In this respect, each ramp module may be relatively wider or narrower with respect to its height and / or length compared to what is illustrated in Figure 4. The first ramp module 230a can be connected to the second ramp module 230b by the connection interface described in relation to Figure 3. It will be appreciated that any of the ramp modules can be connected to each other by the same or similar types of connection interfaces. The ramp modules, for example the first ramp module 230a and the second ramp module 230b, can be connected together to form the ramp 230 which is configured to face the longitudinal direction 11. As described in relation to the earlier figures, the connecting portion 210 extends between the ramp 230 and the floating solar array 2. Given that the ramp 230 of the breakwater 200 is configured to protect the floating solar array 2 from incoming waves, the overall width of the ramp perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 11 is preferably at least as wide as the width of the floating solar array 2 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 11. The floating solar farm 1 may be secured to a surface, such as a seabed, at its intended location. The securing may be provided by means of mooring lines 3 attached to the floating solar farm 1 at two or more locations. In the arrangement shown, mooring lines are provided in at least two positions on each side of the floating solar farm 1. The mooring lines may be connected to the breakwater 200. Alternatively, or additionally, the mooring lines 3 may be connected to the floating solar array 2, in particular to an outer frame 4 portion of the floating solar array 2. The outer frame 4 may provide an outer support boundary to support the solar panels in the floating solar array 2. The solar panels may be supported in the floating solar array 2 by a solar panel support structure 300, as will be described in relation to later figures. Figure 5 is an exploded diagram of a panel support structure 300. The panel support structure 300 may be incorporated into any of the floating solar array examples as described above. For example, the panel support structure 300 may be connected to the breakwater 100 described in relation to Figure 1 and may be connected to the breakwater 200 as described in relation to Figures 2 and 3. The panel support structure 300 can comprise at least one frame member 311. The frame member 311 may extend between edges of the outer frame 4 (see Figure 4). With additional reference to Figure 4, the panel support structure 300 may comprise a plurality of frame members in order to provide a plurality of rows of the floating solar array. At least one of the frame members may be connected to a mooring line, which can supplement the mooring provided around the perimeter; this is particularly beneficial for larger arrays. The frame member 311 may comprise a plurality of modules connected together perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction 11. In the arrangement shown, the frame member 311 comprises a first module 311a and a second module 311b. The modules of the frame member 311 may be connected together by the same or similar type of connection interface as described in relation to Figure 3. The panel support structure 300 also comprises a solar panel floater 320. In the arrangement shown, the solar panel floater comprises an inclined surface configured to receive a solar panel 5 at an angle. The solar panel floater 320 may comprise a mounting interface 321 configured to cooperate with the solar panel 5. In particular, the mounting interface 321 may be configured to receive at least a portion of a panel receiver 323, on which a solar panel 5 can be mounted. As such, a solar panel can be mounted onto a solar panel floater 320 via an attachment between the panel receiver 323 and the mounting interface 321. The frame member 311, together with other rows of frame members in the panel support structure 300, is configured to support the solar panel floater 320 in the panel support structure 300. In the arrangement shown, the solar panel floater 320 is connected to the first module 311a of the frame member 311. In this respect, the solar panel floater 320 may comprise coupling means configured to couple to the first module 311a of the frame member 311. The coupling means may be a pivoting attachment 322 configured to connect the solar panel floater 320 to allow it to have a different relative pitch compared to the frame member 311 with respect to the water level. The frame member 311 and / or the solar panel floater 320 may comprise HDPE. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a panel floater 411. The panel floater 411 may be incorporated in a floating solar array 2 as described above. For example, the panel floater 411 may be incorporated in the solar array 2 connected with the breakwater 100 as described in relation to Figure 1 or connected to the breakwater 200 as described in relation to Figures 2 and 3, or alternatively the panel floater 411 may be incorporated in the floating solar farm 1 as shown in Figure 4 together with the ramp 230 and the connecting portion 210. When incorporated into the floating solar farm 1 of Figure 4, the panel floater 411 may be provided instead of the solar panel floaters 320 of the panel support structure 300. The panel floater 411 comprises a first hull 420 and a second hull 430. The panel floater 411 further comprises a panel receiver 440 configured to receive a solar panel (not shown). The panel receiver 440 is pivotally connected to the first hull 420 and the second hull 430 so as to permit tilting of a solar panel received in the panel receiver 440. The combination of the first hull 420, the second hull 430, and the panel receiver 440 connected to both the first hull 420 and the second hull 430 provides a catamaran structure. In this manner, the first hull 420 and the second hull 430 can be provided in a spaced apart relationship joined together by the panel receiver 440. The first hull 420 and the second hull 430 may have an elongated shape wherein the first hull 420 is connected to the second hull 430 via the panel receiver 440 such that their longitudinal axes are parallel to one another. It will be appreciated that the first hull 420 and the second hull 430 can be spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the first hull 420 and the second hull 430. The panel floater 411 may comprise means to adjust a tilt angle of the panel receiver 440 with respect to the first hull 420 and the second hull 430. In the arrangement shown, the panel floater 411 comprises at least a first telescopic support rod 422 connected between the panel receiver 440 and the first hull 420. The panel floater 411 further comprises a second telescopic support rod 432 connected between the panel receiver 440 and the second hull 430. The first telescopic support rod 422 and / or the second telescopic support rod 432 can be configured to provide at least three selectable tilt angles of the panel receiver 440, which may be 15, 30 and 45 degrees. In the example shown in Figure 6, the panel floater 411 further comprises a first support plate 421 provided on the first hull 420 and a second support plate 431 provided on the second hull 430. The first telescopic support rod 422 may be connected between the panel receiver 440 and the first hull 420 via the first support plate 421, and likewise the second telescopic support rod 432 may be connected between the panel receiver 440 and the second hull 430 via the second support plate 431. The panel receiver 440 is configured to receiver a solar panel (not shown). The panel receiver 440 may comprise a back support. The back support may comprise a first back support 441 and a second back support 442. The first back support 441 may be configured to support a first side of a solar panel and the second back support 442 may be configured to support a second side of a solar panel opposite to the first side. The first back support 441 may provide a surface by which the first telescopic support rod 422 can connect to the panel receiver 440. Likewise, the second back support 442 can provide a surface by which the second telescopic support rod 432 can connect to the panel receiver 440. The panel receiver 440 further comprises one or more bridging members, such as one bridging member or two bridging members spaced apart along the length of the first back support and the second back support. In the arrangement shown, the panel receiver comprise one bridging member 443. The bridging member 443 is configured to bridge the gap between the first hull 420 and the second hull 430. The bridging member 443 may extend between the first back support 441 and the second back support 442. The bridging member 443 may be provided along a first edge of the panel receiver 440, wherein the first telescopic support rod 422 and the second telescopic support rod 432 are connected to the panel receiver 440 towards a second edge of the panel receiver 440. The bridging member 443 extends from a first corner of the panel receiver 440 to a second corner of the panel receiver 440 in a direction which may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the first hull 420 and the second hull 430. The panel receiver 440 may be connected to the first hull 420 and the second hull 430 via the first support plate 421 and the second support plate 431, respectively. The bridging member 443 may comprise a pivot pin 450 configured to connect with at least one of the first support plate 421 and the second support plate 431. In the arrangement shown, the pivot pin 450 is configured to permit tilting of the panel receiver 440 with respect to the first hull 420 and the second hull 430. Instead of, or in addition to, the bridging member 443, the panel floater 411 may comprise one or more bridging members separate from the panel receiver 440 and configured to extend between the first hull 420 (for example, via the first support plate 421) to the second hull 430 (for example, via the second support plate 431). In operation, a solar panel can be received by the panel receiver 440 of the panel floater 411, and the panel floater 411 can be floated on the surface of water to thereby allow the solar panel to float in a body of water. The tilt angle of the solar panel in the panel receiver 440 can be adjusted via the first telescopic support rod 422 and the second telescopic support rod 432. The first hull 420 and / or the second hull 430 may comprise a polystyrene material, such as Styrofoam (RTM). The polystyrene material may provide the bulk of the first hull 420 and / or the second hull 430. The polystyrene material may be surrounded by an impact resistance layer, such as fiberglass. Figure 7 illustrates part of a solar array 401. The solar array 401 can incorporate an array of the panel floaters as described in relation to Figure 6. The panel floaters in the array may all be identical to the first panel floater 411 as described in relation to Figure 6. In the arrangement shown, a first panel floater 411 is arranged in the solar array 401 adjacent to a second panel floater 412 which may have an identical structure to the first panel floater 411. In this way, each of the first panel floater 411 and the second panel floater 412 comprises a first hull, a second hull, and a panel receiver configured to receive a solar panel and configured to bridge the first hull and the second hull. At least one of the first hull or the second hull of the first panel holder is connected to at least one of the first hull or the second hull of the second panel floater 412. In the arrangement shown, the first panel floater 411 is connected to the second panel floater 412 by a lateral joint 418. In particular, the lateral joint 418 extends between the second hull of the first panel floater 411 and the first hull of the second panel floater 412. It will be appreciated that more than two panel floaters can be connected in this manner to form a row of panel floaters in the floating solar array 401. The floating solar array 401 may comprise additional rows of panel floaters. For example, the floating solar array 401 may comprise a third panel floater 413 in an adjacent row to that in which the first panel floater 411 and the second panel floater 412 are located. The third panel floater 413 may be connected to a panel floater in an adjacent row by a longitudinal joint. In the arrangement shown, the third panel floater 413 is connected to the second panel floater 412 by a longitudinal joint 419. It will be appreciated that by connecting panel floaters together using lateral joints to form a row of panel floaters, and by connecting adjacent rows of panel floaters together by longitudinal joints, an array of panel floaters comprising multiple rows can be arranged to provide the floating solar array 401. The lateral joint 418 and / or the longitudinal joint 419 may be flexible joints, which may be provided by rope. In some arrangements, a rope can extend between opposite sides or ends of a floating solar array and penetrate the hulls of multiple panel floaters. For example, the longitudinal joint 419 may extend from a first end (e.g. the front) of the floating solar array 401 through a hull of the third panel floater 413 and through a hull of the second panel floater 412, and through corresponding hulls of successive panel floaters in the column until being secured to a second end (e.g. the back) of the floating solar array 401. The rope may comprise stoppers configured to limit the movement of at least one floater along the rope. For example, between the second panel floater 412 and the third panel floater 413, the longitudinal joint 419 may comprise a first stopper near the second panel floater 412 and a second stopper near the third panel floater 413, in order to maintain a separation between adjacent panel floaters. It will be appreciated that the same arrangement can apply to the joints in the lateral direction, such as the lateral joint 418. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a solar farm 400. The solar farm 400 can incorporate the floating solar array 401 as described in relation to Figure 7. Such a floating solar array may be a first solar array 401 and the solar farm 400 may additionally comprise a second solar array 402 which may be the same or similar in structure to the first solar array 401. The solar farm 400 may comprise multiple solar arrays, such as the first solar array 401 and the second solar array 402, which are arranged in the floating solar farm 400 in an outer frame 404. The outer frame 404 may extend laterally in front of the first solar array and the second solar array and be connected to any of the examples of breakwaters described in relation to other figures, such as the breakwater 100 described in Figure 1 and the breakwater 200 described in Figures 2 and 3. The outer frame 404 may also comprise longitudinal portions in order to separate adjacent solar arrays from each other. Figure 9A is a graph of displacement (in the Z direction) against time elapsed for a wave incident on two different types of floater. The experiment was conducted in a wave tank such that the wave size was downscaled by approximately ten times compared to waves that could be experienced in ocean settings. The first line 501 represents the data from a flat plate floater, which may have a similar structure to the solar panel floater 320 shown in Figure 5. The second line 502 represents data from a catamaran floater, which may have a similar structure to the panel floater 411 shown in Figure 6. By comparing the first line 501 and the second line 502, it can be seen that the displacement experienced by the catamaran floater is reduced compared to the flat plate floater, for the same size of wave. Therefore, using a catamaran structure provides increased stability. Figure 9B is a graph of total displacement against wave frequency for waves incident on four different floater systems. The first line 601 represents data from a flat plate floater without a breakwater. The second line 602 represents data from a flat plate floater with a breakwater. The third line 603 represents data from a catamaran floater without a breakwater. The fourth line 604 represents data from a catamaran floater with a breakwater. By comparing the lines, it can be seen that for all frequencies measured in the experiment, including a breakwater reduced the displacement of the floater for a given floater type. Furthermore, using a catamaran structure improved the stability of the floater. As such, it can be seen that the most stable floater of those tested is one that adopts the catamaran structure coupled with a breakwater.

Claims

1. A breakwater for a floating solar array, the breakwater comprising:a ramp; anda connecting portion extending from the ramp in a longitudinal direction for connecting the ramp to the floating solar array;wherein the ramp is arranged to break a wave approaching the floating solar array in a wave direction having a component in the longitudinal direction such that the wave is broken by the ramp before reaching the connecting portion.

2. The breakwater of claim 1, wherein the ramp further comprises a deflector configured to direct water from a wave broken by the ramp away from the floating solar array.

3. The breakwater of claim 2, wherein the ramp comprises a first portion and a second portion, the second portion comprising the deflector, and wherein the deflector has a curved surface, and wherein the second portion is continuous with the first surface.

4. The breakwater of any preceding claim, wherein a length of the connecting portion defined parallel to the longitudinal direction is at least two times a length of the ramp defined parallel to the longitudinal direction.

5. The breakwater of any preceding claim, wherein the ramp is configured such that a height of the ramp is approximately equal to a height of the wave according to the dominant wave condition at the intended location.

6. The breakwater of claim 5, further configured such that a quarter of the height of the ramp is submerged in the water in use.

7. The breakwater of any preceding claim, wherein the ramp has a ramp angle of between 15 degrees and 75 degrees, preferably between 25 and 65 degrees, preferably between 35 and 55 degrees, preferably between 40 and 50 degrees.

8. The breakwater of any preceding claim, wherein the connecting portion comprisesat least a first lateral floater configured to extend between the ramp and the floating solar array.

9. The breakwater of claim 8, wherein the connecting portion comprises a second lateral floater; and wherein the first lateral floater is pivotally connected to the ramp, and the second lateral floater is pivotally connected to the first lateral floater such that the second lateral floater is connected to the ramp via the first lateral floater.

10. The breakwater of any preceding claim, wherein the ramp comprises at least a first ramp module and a second ramp module, wherein the first ramp module comprises:a ramp portion for providing part of the ramp; anda connection interface for connection with the second ramp module.

11. The breakwater of claim 10, wherein the first ramp module comprises a ramp floater connected to the ramp portion, wherein the connection interface is provided by the ramp floater.

12. The breakwater of claim 11, wherein the first ramp module comprises: a first horizontal plate extending from the top of the ramp floater; and a second horizontal plate extending from the bottom of the ramp floater;wherein the ramp portion is connected to the ramp floater by the first horizontal plate and by the second horizontal plate.

13. The breakwater of claim 12, further comprising a pillar extending upwards from the first horizontal plate to support a top portion of the ramp portion.

14. The breakwater of any preceding claim, further comprising mooring means configured to anchor the breakwater to a selected location.

15. A panel floater for a floating solar panel array, the panel floater comprising:a first hull;a second hull; anda panel receiver configured to receive a solar panel;wherein the panel receiver is pivotally connected to the first hull and the secondhull so as to permit tilting of a solar panel received in the panel receiver.

16. The panel floater of claim 15, further comprising at least a first telescopic support rod configured to adjust a tilt angle of the panel receiver with respect to the first hull and the second hull.

17. The panel floater of claim 16, wherein the first telescopic support rod is configured to provide at least three selectable tilt angles of the panel receiver, and wherein the tilt angles are preferably between 0 and 30 degrees.

18. The panel floater of any of claims 15 to 18, further comprising a first support plate provided on the first hull and a second support plate provided on the second hull, wherein a first comer of the panel receiver is pivotally connected to the first support plate and wherein a second comer of the panel receiver is pivotally connected to the second support plate.

19. A support structure for a floating solar panel array, the support structure comprising: a first panel floater; and a second panel floater;wherein each of the first panel floater and the second panel floater comprises: a first hull;a second hull; anda panel receiver configured to receive a solar panel and to bridge the first hull and the second hull;wherein at least one of the first hull or the second hull of the first panel floater is connected to at least one of the first hull or the second hull of the second panel floater.

20. A floating solar farm comprising:the breakwater of any of claims 1 to 14; and / orthe panel floater of any of claims 14 to 18; and / orthe support structure of claim 19.

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