Submersible solar power generation equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a submersible photovoltaic power generation system equipped with a device for achieving a floating state at a predetermined diving depth. The submersible photovoltaic power generation system comprises a photovoltaic panel, at least one buoyancy device connected to the photovoltaic panel, and a diving means capable of applying negative buoyancy to the photovoltaic power generation system. The at least one buoyancy device comprises a first buoyancy device that is at least partially reversibly compressible. The present invention further relates to the use of a submersible photovoltaic power generation system for generating electrical energy, a transport system for a submersible photovoltaic power generation system, and the use of a transport system.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a submersible solar power generation system equipped with a device for achieving a floating state at a predetermined diving depth. For this purpose, a submersible solar power generation system as described in claim 1 is provided. [Background technology]

[0002] Solar power generation facilities, especially photovoltaic facilities, are expected to have great potential in the future because they can reduce human-generated CO2 emissions and mitigate global warming. However, one problem is the large amount of land consumption required for such installations. These areas are also necessary for agriculture.

[0003] The solution involves installing floating solar power generation equipment not only on the open sea but also on artificial and natural lakes. Artificial lakes have limited usable areas. Natural lakes present many concerns regarding landscape preservation. An unresolved issue when installing in the open ocean is the possibility of persistent storms accompanied by high waves.

[0004] The most extensive typology today for floating photovoltaic systems provides plastic floats (e.g., US 9,132,889 B2) on which conventional photovoltaic panels are mounted. According to the description, this system is suitable only for protected or limited body of water such as lakes. At least one instance of disaster occurred even in limited body of water due to a hurricane (see Kyocera solar accident 2019 (Yamakura Dam)). Another typology uses a system of annular floats from aquaculture, covered with a PVC film on which flexible photovoltaic panels are mounted (e.g., NO 20160927). According to the description, this system is not suitable for the open ocean. Yet another typology uses a platform of photovoltaic modules on a metal structure beneath the float (e.g., WO 2022 / 135729 A1). Here, the photovoltaic panels are several meters above the water, forming a surface exposed to wind. This system is also complex and material-intensive. Another type offers the direct mounting of solar panels onto a floating structure made of aluminum (e.g., WO 2021 / 130283 A1). According to the description, the system is suitable only for protected or limited body of water such as lakes or bays. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] All known systems have the drawback of being unsuitable for storms, such as those in the open ocean with large waves. Furthermore, the assembly and disassembly of all known systems are relatively complex and therefore expensive in terms of the vast area required to generate gigawatt-scale electrical energy.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a photovoltaic power generation system that can withstand storms, particularly in bodies of water, such as storms in the open ocean with high waves. A further object is to provide a photovoltaic power generation system that can deliver an increased energy yield. Furthermore, the present invention is intended to enable not only the assembly and disassembly of the photovoltaic power generation system, but also its simple, efficient, and cost-effective transportation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] It has been found that the above objective can be solved by the submersible solar power generation equipment described in claim 1.

[0008] Therefore, the submersible solar power generation equipment comprises a solar panel and at least one buoyancy device connected to the solar panel, wherein the solar panel and at least one buoyancy device have positive buoyancy on the surface of the water body, and further comprises a submersible means adapted to cause the submersible solar power generation equipment to experience negative buoyancy, wherein the at least one buoyancy device comprises a first buoyancy device that is at least partially reversibly compressible.

[0009] Furthermore, the use of submersible solar power generation equipment for generating electrical energy, a transportation system for submersible solar power generation equipment, and the use of the transportation system are provided.

[0010] When a solar power generation system is brought to a predetermined diving depth, the first buoyancy device, at least a partially reversibly compressible buoyancy device, is compressed to a predetermined volume by hydrostatic pressure. Preferably, the buoyancy device can be sized by the following formula so that gravity and buoyancy balance at the predetermined diving depth, and therefore the solar power generation system can float at the predetermined diving depth. Floating occurs when the total buoyancy is approximately zero Newtons. In the sense of the present invention, approximately zero Newtons is preferably positive or negative buoyancy of less than 100 N, more preferably 50 N, 40 N, 30 N, 20 N, 10 N, 5 N, 4 N, 3 N, 2 N, and most preferably less than 1 N.

[0011] In the sense of the present invention, a photovoltaic power generation system is preferably a system comprising one or more photovoltaic power generation panels, and preferably for the purpose of generating electrical energy.

[0012] In the sense of the present invention, a photovoltaic panel is preferably an essentially flat device adapted to convert sunlight into electrical energy. Various suitable techniques are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0013] In the sense of the present invention, a reversibly compressible buoyancy body is preferably an object that fundamentally follows Boyle and Mariotte's laws, that is, an object whose volume behaves inversely proportional to the ambient pressure at a constant temperature. The compressible buoyancy body can influence the total buoyancy of the solar power generation equipment at a predetermined diving depth in a manner that is advantageous to the present invention. It is advantageous for the solar power generation equipment to float on the surface, and preferably at a predetermined diving depth.

[0014] In the sense of the present invention, a buoyancy body that is at least partially reversibly compressible is a buoyancy body having a reversibly compressible portion and, optionally, an incompressible portion. A buoyancy body that is at least partially reversibly compressible can essentially obey Boyle's and Mariotte's laws up to a given diving depth. From a given depth up to the maximum diving depth in its intended use, a buoyancy body that is at least partially reversibly compressible is no longer essentially compressible. It is also clear that the transition from a compressible state to an incompressible state can be gradually regulated, for example, by using a less elastic material and / or geometric shape for the buoyancy body. A buoyancy body that is at least partially compressible acts to affect the total buoyancy of a solar power plant at a given diving depth in a manner that is advantageous to the present invention.

[0015] In the sense of the present invention, "at least partially reversibly compressible" means that the buoyancy body is either partially reversibly compressible or fully reversibly compressible.

[0016] The at least partially reversibly compressible floating body can include a shell, where at least one section of the shell or the shell itself is adapted to be reversibly compressed at a certain pressure preferred within a predetermined diving depth. The shell or at least one section of the shell itself can be formed from a reversibly plastically deformable plastic material.

[0017] The predetermined diving depth can be, for example, 5 to 50 meters, preferably 10 to 40 meters, 15 to 30 meters, or 20 to 25 meters. The structure of the reversibly compressible floating body or the at least partially reversibly compressible floating body is adaptable to the predetermined diving depth. Thus, in the reversibly compressible floating body and / or the at least partially reversibly compressible floating body, the reversible compressibility or the at least partially reversible compressibility occurs mainly up to the predetermined diving depth in, for example, preferably, at least 50% or more, for example at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or at least 95% of the total volume of the reversibly compressible floating body or of the at least partially reversibly compressible floating body's reversibly compressibly designed partial volume. The compression of the total volume of the reversibly compressible floating body or the partial volume of the at least partially reversibly compressible floating body can occur essentially linearly. For example, the reversibly compressible floating body can be designed such that its total volume is at least 60% reversibly reduced when moving to a predetermined diving depth of, for example, 20 meters from the water surface.

[0018] A non-compressible floating body in the sense of the present invention can be a body that essentially retains its volume when the surrounding pressure changes, and this volume can be filled with a fluid or fluid mixture, such as air and / or water. One or more non-compressible floating bodies can function to adjust the total buoyancy of the solar power generation facility independently of the underwater depth, which is advantageous for the present invention. Non-compressible floating bodies can include buoys such as floating buoys or corner buoys, and diving bells. The non-compressible floating body can be provided with a first device, such as a pump, and the first device is adapted to displace a fluid or fluid mixture, such as water, at least partially, with respect to air or another gas or gas mixture. The non-compressible floating body can further be provided with a second device, such as one or more valves, and the second device is configured to allow a fluid or fluid mixture, such as water, to enter into the non-compressible floating body.

[0019] The non-compressible floating body can preferably be provided with a shell that is not essentially compressed or deformed at a constant pressure that prevails within a predetermined diving depth.

[0020] The volume of the floating body that is essentially maintained in the sense of the present invention is preferably the case where the volume of the body at the intended diving depth is compressed to 90% or more, preferably 95%, 96%, 97%, or 98% or more, most preferably 99% or more, of the volume at atmospheric pressure.

[0021] Non-compressibility in the sense of the present invention means that the volume of an object can be regarded as constant despite, for example, a force or pressure change due to a doubling of the pressure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that non-compressibility is merely an idealized assumption for a simplified explanation of physical processes. In the sense of the present invention, solids and liquids are regarded as non-compressible, while gases are compressible.

[0022] A reversibly compressible or partially compressible buoyancy body may contain a fluid space, typically an air layer, to generate positive buoyancy. The air layer may include atmospheric air as the compressible gas. Other gases or mixtures thereof may be included, provided they generate positive buoyancy within the volume of the reversibly compressible or partially compressible buoyancy body.

[0023] As a reversibly compressible buoyancy device, for example, a flexible plastic material containing an air layer, such as an elastomer or thermoplastic, can be used. For example, the flexible plastic material may contain one or more air layers. The flexible plastic material may, for example, contain a porous structure.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one compressible buoyancy body and the incompressible buoyancy body are two separate buoyancy bodies.

[0025] In a more preferred embodiment, at least one reversibly compressible buoyancy body and an incompressible buoyancy body are part of the partially reversibly compressible buoyancy body, i.e., the partially compressible buoyancy body has a reversibly compressible portion and an incompressible portion.

[0026] In a further preferred embodiment, a partially reversibly compressible buoyancy body is one that can be compressed to a certain pressure and thereafter becomes essentially incompressible. An exemplary embodiment of this preferred embodiment may include a buoyancy body having a whole or partially compressible outer shell made of, for example, an elastomer, and a spaced-out, incompressible but permeable core made of, for example, a solid perforated aluminum foam or a hollow metal body with small openings. A further example of this embodiment is shown in Figure 11: for example, the contour is elastically compressible to the point where the free-center web contacts the opposite side and thus further compression is prevented. The decision for preferred embodiments with a partially compressible buoyancy body is based on the principle that the buoyancy body can be compressed to some extent and thereafter becomes essentially incompressible up to the intended diving depth. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that further deformations beyond the two presented are possible.

[0027] In a more preferred embodiment, the incompressible and / or compressible buoyancy bodies can simultaneously form the frame of a solar power panel.

[0028] In a more preferred embodiment, several photovoltaic panels may share a compressible and / or incompressible and / or partially compressible buoyancy body.

[0029] In a more preferred embodiment according to claim 1, the incompressible buoyancy can be omitted because the photovoltaic panel and the compressible buoyancy already possess ideal buoyancy at the surface of the water and at a given diving depth. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, this may be the case with certain flexible and / or thin-film panels, because, due to their lightweight structure, they essentially have little negative buoyancy. This embodiment may have the advantage of significantly reducing material usage compared to variants using glass-glass panels.

[0030] In the context of this invention, negative buoyancy is a force having a direction opposite to that of positive buoyancy.

[0031] In a more preferred embodiment, the solar panel and the buoyancy devices or a plurality of objects can be arranged such that the entire solar panel is located below the water surface. This can be achieved, for example, by positioning at least a portion of the buoyancy devices above the surface of the solar panel.

[0032] In a more preferred embodiment, the solar power generation equipment can have a desired positive or negative total buoyancy at a given diving depth by selecting a larger or smaller buoyancy body.

[0033] In a more preferred embodiment, the photovoltaic system may include a plurality of photovoltaic panels arranged in a certain area, and the photovoltaic panels can be flexibly connected to one another.

[0034] In a more preferred embodiment, the photovoltaic power generation system may include a rope net connected to at least one buoyancy device and a diving means, where it is preferable that the force applied by the diving means acts substantially uniformly on at least one buoyancy device.

[0035] In the sense of the present invention, substantially uniform operation of forces from a submersible means at multiple mounting points of at least one buoyancy body means that, under calm wind and wave conditions and with the submersible means and solar equipment stationary, the minimum and maximum forces at different mounting points differ preferably by less than 100%, more preferably by 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, and 1%, and most preferably by no difference. It is clear that the forces actually generated, for example, by water waves or dynamic forces due to the operation of the submersible means, can result in significantly large differences. An exemplary submersible means may include, for example, a pulling system which can be configured as a winch or winch equipment t.

[0036] A rope net in the sense of the present invention can be an essentially planar rope structure comprising at least one essentially suspension-shaped rope to which a plurality of straight suspension ropes can be attached in each case to transmit force. The underlying static concept corresponds to the concept of a suspension bridge and is well known to those skilled in the art.

[0037] Preferably, the rope net can be positioned parallel to the water surface. The rope net preferably consists of four or more suspension-shaped ropes, which are preferably connected at the corners of the photovoltaic installation to a diving means, optionally via incompressible buoyancy devices, such as buoys, and there are several straight suspension ropes, in each case, one end of which is connected to a suspension-shaped rope and the other end of which is connected to at least one photovoltaic panel. The rope net can ensure that the force from the diving means is introduced substantially uniformly across the entire edge of the photovoltaic panel field.

[0038] In a more preferred embodiment, the photovoltaic system may include a tensioning system and anchors, the tensioning system of which may be provided at four or more mounting points and which is configured to pull the photovoltaic system to a predetermined diving depth.

[0039] Anchors can hold solar power generation equipment in place. Those skilled in the art are familiar with the different possibilities of anchors, depending on the forces generated and the properties of the water body's floor.

[0040] In a more preferred embodiment, the photovoltaic system may further include a buoy connected to a tensioning system and a rope net. In this case, the buoy may constitute a buoyancy body that is incompressible, compressible, or partially compressible. When the buoy is pulled by the tensioning system toward an anchor point on the body of water, a buoyancy force with a vector perpendicularly upward from the buoy is generated. The tension of the tensioning system simultaneously generates an additional force with a vector perpendicular from the buoy toward the anchor point. Using a parallelogram of forces, the horizontal force resulting from the field of photovoltaic panels being held in place can be determined. By appropriately selecting the type and size of the buoyancy body, a preferred horizontal force can be set. A preferred horizontal force may be, for example, between 100,000 N and 1,000 N.

[0041] It is obvious that any buoy can be integrated into a diving device or into other parts of a solar power generation system.

[0042] Furthermore, it is self-evident that forces in directions other than horizontal are generated when submerged or floating, or when solar panels generate positive or negative buoyancy.

[0043] A photovoltaic power generation system in the sense of the present invention provides at least one compressible air layer, and in this case may include photovoltaic panels, incompressible buoyancy devices, elastic connections between photovoltaic panels, a rope net, an anchor system, diving means, a buoy, an electrical cable connection, a photovoltaic charge controller, and a transformer.

[0044] It is clear that the air layer of a compressible or partially compressible buoyancy body can also be formed from a partially immobile and / or non-stretchable material. It is even clearer that only one section of the compressible buoyancy body can move and / or expand and contract, while the other sections remain immobile and / or non-stretchable. In doing so, the compressible buoyancy body can form a compressible air layer, which essentially follows Boyle's and Mariotte's laws.

[0045] The following shows the exact physical conditions: As the hydrostatic pressure increases, the reversibly compressible floating body is compressed, and as a result, the buoyancy of the solar power generation equipment in the sense of the present invention decreases. At a predetermined diving depth, the gravity of the solar power generation equipment can correspond to a buoyancy of the same magnitude as the gravity of the water displaced by the solar power generation equipment in water, and the solar power generation equipment can float according to Archimedes' principle. For the solar power generation equipment in the sense of the present invention, any desired buoyancy on the surface and any desired diving depth at which the solar power generation equipment floats can be determined. The necessary calculation method is shown below. The resulting buoyancy F of an object in water is calculated as follows: F = V·ρ water ·g - V·ρ body ·g (1), (V is the volume of the object, ρ is the bulk density, g is the local acceleration due to gravity (≈9.81 N / kg))

[0046] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the total buoyancy of the solar power generation equipment is divided into a fixed part (solar power generation panel; non-compressible floating body) and a variable part (reversibly compressible floating body). At the water surface, the following applies. F total = F fix + F var (2). At a diving depth t (in meters), the following applies. F total = F fix + 1 / (t / 10 + 1)·F var (3).

[0047] In a specific example, a glass-glass solar power generation module can have a negative buoyancy of 250 N, a non-compressible floating body can have a buoyancy of 247.5 N, and a reversibly compressible floating body can have a buoyancy of 7.5 N at the water surface. This results in the following at the water surface. F total =-250 N + 247.5 N + 7.5 N = 5.0 N (4) At a diving depth t = 20m, the following applies. F total=-250N+247.5 N + 1 / (20 / 10 + 1)·7.5N=-2.5 N + 2.5 N = 0.0N (5). In other words, the solar power generation modules float on the water surface and also float at a submersion depth of 20 meters.

[0048] In a further preferred embodiment, a partially reversibly compressible buoyancy device may be used. On the surface of a body of water, the following applies: F total = F fix + F var (6) Here, F var This is the ratio of buoyancy to the flexible portion of a partially reversibly compressible buoyancy device. Up to a specified depth x (meters), at a diving depth t (meters), the following applies: F total = F fix + 1 / (t / 10 + 1)·F var (7) From a specified depth x, or deeper, the following applies: F total = F fix + 1 / (x / 10 + 1)·F var (8)

[0049] In a specific example, a glass-to-glass solar cell module can have a negative buoyancy of 250 N, an incompressible buoyancy of 200 N, and a partially reversibly compressible buoyancy of 55 N at the water surface. In this case, the partially reversibly compressible buoyancy can be designed to be maximally compressible to 10 / 11 of its initial volume, i.e., to reach its minimum volume at a diving depth of 1 meter, according to Boyle and Mariotte's laws. Specifically, this partially compressible buoyancy in the example shown can have an air layer of approximately 5500 ml at the water surface, of which 5000 ml is in the rigid part and 500 ml of air is in the flexible part, and these parts are connected to each other through openings. In this specific example, at the water surface, the following applies: F total=-250 N + 200 N + 55 N = 5 N (9). At diving depths of 1 meter or greater, the following applies: F total =-250N + 200N + 50N = 0N (10) In other words, the solar power modules in question float on the water's surface, or are submerged at a depth of 1 meter or greater.

[0050] Further factors may also affect buoyancy, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that when determining the dimensions of a buoyancy device, it is preferable to consider, in particular, the minimum and maximum possible atmospheric pressure in the placement area, the minimum and maximum possible water temperature in the placement area, and, in particular, the minimum and maximum possible water density in the placement area in saltwater seawater. [Effects of the Invention]

[0051] The advantage of this invention is that the solar power generation equipment can not only be towed to great depths, but can also be easily maintained at a predetermined diving depth to withstand unfavorable weather conditions such as storms. At depth, in particular, no vertical force is required to hold the position of the solar power generation equipment. The solar power generation system can move in accordance with any water movement that may exist at depth, without generating problematic forces, similar to a sail that moves with the wind or a manta ray that appears to glide through water in zero gravity.

[0052] As a result, a relatively small number of submersibles and anchoring devices may be required, preferably one submersible device for every 100 panels or more, more preferably one submersible device for every 1,000 panels or more, and even more preferably one submersible device for every 10,000 panels or more. Therefore, the resulting field of photovoltaic panels can be very large, which has a positive effect on the overall manufacturing cost of the photovoltaic equipment.

[0053] The force required for the tensile system to pull solar power generation equipment downwards can be optimized by appropriately selecting the size of the buoyancy device. As a result, a smaller and more cost-effective lifting system can be used.

[0054] A further advantage of the present invention is that, in contrast to land-based installations, the photovoltaic panels of the photovoltaic installation according to the present invention are cooled by direct contact with water and can therefore immediately provide a higher energy yield of up to 15%. The dependence of the energy yield of photovoltaic panels on the operating temperature is known to those skilled in the art.

[0055] In addition, the constant water cooling method of the present invention has the advantage that large temperature fluctuations are avoided, resulting in less degradation of the photovoltaic panels and their components over many years. By extending the lifespan of the equipment accordingly, it is possible to generate up to 20% additional energy gain compared to conventional photovoltaic equipment. The negative effects of temperature fluctuations on photovoltaic panels are known to those skilled in the art.

[0056] Compared to conventional floating solar power systems, this solar power system does not offer a surface that is vulnerable to wind. In this way, even when the solar power system should be installed on the water surface, disasters like the 2019 accident at Yamakura Dam have been prevented. Pulling the installation in the depth direction further reduces the risk and protects the components of the solar power system.

[0057] A further advantage is that the solar power generation equipment according to the present invention is suitable for prefabrication. This allows for a significant reduction in total costs. Another advantage is that assembly and disassembly can be carried out rationally and cost-effectively.

[0058] A further advantage of the present invention is that, in contrast to widely spread floating, onshore, and wind power plants, it is virtually invisible. Even hundreds of meters from the coast, its low profile makes it practically invisible. Therefore, concerns regarding landscape preservation are relatively small.

[0059] A further advantage of the present invention is that the photovoltaic power generation equipment according to the present invention can be constructed from materials that can be completely recycled after their planned deployment.

[0060] A further advantage is that, due to their modularity and simple geometric shape, solar power systems can be easily cleaned with fully automated cleaning robots. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0061] The drawings illustrating the invention, without limitation, show the following: [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of one embodiment of a solar power generation system. [Figure 2] This is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a solar power generation system. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of one embodiment of a solar power generation system. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of a part of one embodiment of a solar power generation system. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a solar power generation facility. [Figure 6] This is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a solar power generation system. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a solar power generation facility. [Figure 8] This is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a solar power generation system. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a photovoltaic power generation system comprising flexible and / or thin-film panels and a compressible buoyancy device. [Figure 10] This is a perspective cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a photovoltaic power generation system comprising flexible and / or thin-film panels and a compressible buoyancy device. [Figure 11] This is part of an embodiment of a solar power generation system equipped with a partially reversibly compressible buoyancy device. [Figure 12] This is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a transport and assembly system during deployment processing on the water surface. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of one embodiment of a transport and assembly system in motion using a crane system. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view of one embodiment of a transport and assembly system during deployment processing on the water surface. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view of one embodiment of a submersible means equipped with a submersible means designed as a winch. [Figure 16] This is a perspective detail view of an embodiment of a diving device equipped with a diving device designed as a winch, with the inspection cover removed. [Figure 17] This is a perspective view of one embodiment of a solar power generation system. [Figure 18] This is a perspective view of the lower part of a solar power generation system according to one embodiment. [Figure 19] This is a perspective view of a further part of a solar power generation system according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0062] Preferred embodiments of the present invention represent non-limiting examples and are described in further detail below.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, a submersible solar power generation system 1 is provided. The submersible solar power generation system 1 may comprise a plurality of solar panels 16, a partially reversibly compressible buoyancy body 41 having an incompressible portion 23, a reversibly compressible portion 24, and an air conduction connection 25, a flexible connection portion 17 between solar panels, preferably made of elastomer, an electrical connection portion 18, a solar power charge controller, a voltage converter, a rope net 2, a buoy 3, a diving means 4, and an anchor 6. The reversibly compressible portion 24 is made of, for example, elastomer, particularly silicone rubber having a wall thickness of 1 mm, and can be formed so that complete compression occurs at, for example, a water depth of 2 meters. In this case, the diving means 4 may include a steel cable 5, a diving means 26 designed as a winch, an electric motor 28, and a battery 27. Alternatively, instead of the steel cable 5, for example, 10 6 Ropes or fabrics made from polymer-based fibers with a molecular weight of mol / g or more, preferably 2 × 10 6 moles g / mol ~ 6 × 10 6 It is also possible to use ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PE-UHMW) in molar g / mol.

[0064] The described embodiment of the photovoltaic power generation system 1 may include a plurality of photovoltaic panels 16 connected to each other in areas along the lateral and longitudinal edges by flexible connectors 17. The plurality of photovoltaic panels 16 may be connected in the edge areas by fastening elements 15 to a rope net 2. The rope net 2 may preferably comprise four suspension-shaped ropes 13 connected to four buoys 3, and a plurality of suspension ropes 14 establishing connections between the suspension-shaped ropes 13 and the fastening elements 15. The rope net 2 ensures a uniform distribution of force applied from the anchors 6 and submersible means 4 to the plurality of photovoltaic panels 16.

[0065] The buoy 3 located at the corner point of the solar power generation facility 1 can consist of a portion that is reversibly compressible and a portion that is incompressible, thereby allowing the buoyancy at the surface and at the desired diving depth to be predetermined by the calculation method described above.

[0066] The diving means 4 can be flexibly connected to the buoy 3 and may consist of, for example, a diving means 26 designed as a conventional winch or a standard winch for steel cables. In the embodiment described, the steel cable 5 can be guided from the winch to a slack pulley near the anchor 6 and returned to the winch, where it can be fixed to its housing, preferably of corrosion-resistant coated steel. This forms a simple rigging device that halves the force applied to the winch. Furthermore, this allows for easy replacement of the winch and steel cable without the need for a diver.

[0067] The winch can be opened toward the bottom of the water body and, therefore, like a diving bell, can be protected by a housing that remains dry. The steel cable 5 can move freely through the opening. Thereafter, the air pressure within the winch system adapts to the respective ambient pressure, and there is no pressure load on the steel housing and the seal 29 of the inspection opening. The volume of air within the steel housing can be calculated so that the electrical and electronic components can be compressed accordingly without coming into contact with water.

[0068] The winch 26 may be equipped with an electric motor 28 that can be operated by a battery 27 which can then be charged by a solar panel. Control can be performed via a sonar transponder or via a cable connection. Suitable systems are known to those skilled in the art. Control algorithms and electronic components are also well known to those skilled in the art.

[0069] The anchors 6 on the bottom surface of the water body 11 can be implemented by threaded anchors in the case of a sandy bottom. These and alternative anchoring methods for different bottoms are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0070] The solar power generation equipment 1 may be provided with all the normal electrical connections necessary for it to function properly. These are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0071] The intended electrical connections 18 can be pre-installed in the factory, for example, as shown in Figure 14, so that only two commercially available waterproof plug connectors (positive and negative) are required for every 180 standard panels 31 that fit into a 40-foot shipping container. For this purpose, the panels can be fitted in the factory to a frame 30 in a folded configuration, with suspension ropes 32 and all necessary electrical connections 18 provided. In this case, the panels can be wired in series and parallel according to the design layout of the photovoltaic system 1. Preferred configurations are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0072] From the photovoltaic power generation equipment 1 according to the present invention, a flexible electrical connection 7 can be led to a point held by a buoyancy device and an anchor. Preferably, this point can be located midway between the water surface and the intended maximum depth of the photovoltaic power generation equipment 1. From this point, a vertical electrical connection 8 can be led to the bottom of the water body. From there, a grounding cable 9 can be routed to the inverter and voltage converter, and possibly to the shore if it is not too far away. Suitable cables and techniques are known to those skilled in the art from offshore wind power projects and other renewable technologies in the open sea.

[0073] In the sense of the present invention, the frame 30 is a static structure on which multiple photovoltaic panels can be arranged for transportation purposes. The frame on which the photovoltaic panels 31 are mounted can be moved by a crane system 33. Preferably, the frame has one or more attachment points for attaching lifting ropes 32.

[0074] A container in the sense of the present invention is a transport-adapted container in which a subframe on which solar panels are arranged can be placed and thus protected from damage during transport. Preferably, the container can be a 40-foot ISO container (40' Open Top Container).

[0075] Folding in the sense of the present invention allows for the folding of planar objects together according to the principles of reporello folding or zigzag folding.

[0076] The intended electrical cable connections in the sense of the present invention can include all the cable connections necessary for the intended function of the photovoltaic power generation system 1. These are well known to those skilled in the art. Multiple photovoltaic panels 31 on a frame 30 can be introduced into the water, preferably directly from a ship or container, by a crane system 33 and lifting ropes 32 (Figure 13). Then, utilizing the buoyancy of the panels, they can be deployed by horizontal forces, such as tension ropes 35 and a watercraft 36. The deployed panels 34 then float on the water surface 12 (Figures 12 and 14). The interconnected units of photovoltaic panels can then be connected to pre-installed rope nets and adjacent units. The units can then be directly connected via electrical cables 7, 8, and 9 to a main photovoltaic charging controller on land or a floating platform. From there, a voltage converter can provide a connection to the power grid. In this way, a large-area photovoltaic power generation system 1, for example, with an output size of 1 megawatt or more, can be constructed in a short time.

[0077] Under suitable climatic conditions, the solar power generation equipment 1 can be operated on the water surface and generate electrical energy through appropriate sunlight irradiation. The anchor system can hold the solar power generation equipment 1 in place.

[0078] Under critical climate conditions, especially in the open sea, the solar power generation equipment 1 can be pulled toward the bottom 11 of the water by a diving means 4, preferably including a winch 26, and the solar power generation panels can float to a predetermined diving depth 10. Figure 2 shows, as an example, a total water depth of 30 meters and a diving depth 10 of the solar power generation equipment 1 of 20 meters.

[0079] Figures 7 and 8 show the detailed structure of an individual photovoltaic panel having a frame and buoyancy body of a preferred embodiment. The glass-glass photovoltaic panel 16 can be framed by an aluminum frame 20, for example, which is force-clipped onto a buoyancy body made of aluminum. On three sides of the photovoltaic panel, the buoyancy body 19 can be implemented as incompressible. On a fourth side of the photovoltaic panel, the buoyancy body can be implemented as partially compressible, with the compressible portion 24 being connected to the incompressible portion 23 via an air conduction connection 25. When the photovoltaic module is moved toward the bottom of a body of water, the compressible portion 24 is fully compressed at a given water depth, reducing the buoyancy so that the photovoltaic module can float in the water column.

[0080] The flexible connection portion 17 between solar panels may consist, for example, two aluminum parts that can be inserted into grooves on a buoyancy device, and an intermediate part, preferably made of an elastomer, such as silicone rubber, that is force-fitted to the aluminum parts.

[0081] In a further embodiment, the buoyancy body may be a single partially compressible buoyancy body 37. An exemplary embodiment is shown in Figure 11. For example, the shape can be compressed by increasing pressure until the central web contacts the opposite side. After that, essentially no further compression occurs until the intended diving depth is reached.

[0082] In yet another embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the photovoltaic power generation system 1 may include, for example, a flexible thin-film panel 39 and a flexible, reversibly compressible buoyancy body 40. Due to the small negative buoyancy of the photovoltaic panel, the incompressible buoyancy body or a portion thereof may be omitted, and nevertheless, the photovoltaic power generation system 1 may have positive buoyancy at the surface and neutral buoyancy at a given depth. Those skilled in the art can easily calculate this using the formula described above.

[0083] It is clear that new embodiments can be combined from parts of the shown embodiments. It is also clear that components of the solar power generation equipment 1 can be integrated with other components of the solar power generation equipment 1, such as a buoy integrated with a diving means.

[0084] According to a further embodiment, the photovoltaic power generation equipment 1 is intended to be used for energy generation.

[0085] Referring to Figure 17, a perspective view of an embodiment of the solar power generation equipment 1 is shown. The corner connection section 38 is equipped with a second incompressible buoyancy body configured as a buoy 3. The buoy 3 is designed as an elongated, particularly cylindrical float body, and the longitudinal end of each buoy 3 is connected to the corner of the rope net. As a result, improved, and particularly uniform, buoyancy is obtained for the solar power generation equipment 1.

[0086] Each corner connection section 38 is connected to an incompressible second buoyancy body, which serves as a submersible means 4, via a connecting means designed as a steel cable 5. Alternatively, instead of the steel cable 5, for example, 10 6 Ropes or fabrics made from polymer-based fibers with a molecular weight of mol / g or more, preferably 2 × 10 6 moles g / mol ~ 6 × 10 6Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PE-UHMW) in mol / mol can also be used. The submersible means 4 is equipped with a pump 52 with a line 54 connecting the submersible means 4 to the water surface. The submersible means 4 is designed as a hollow body made of an essentially incompressible material, for example, aluminum or steel of appropriate thickness, where the volume defined by the hollow body can be filled with water, air or a water-air mixture to provide the desired buoyancy. Instead of a single submersible means 4, multiple submersible means, for example, two, three or four submersible means 4 can be provided. The submersible means 4 can provide different volumes and can be connected to at least one of the corner connection portions 38.

[0087] The steel cable 5 is further connected to the submersible means 4 via a pulley or flexible pulley 58 fixed to the bottom of the body of water. In this way, in the case of the effect of a local force acting on one of the corner joints 38, for example, caused by waves, it is possible to achieve further redistribution of the effect of the force on the submersible means 4 to the corner joint 38. As a result, local forces acting on the solar power generation equipment 1, preferably local forces such as waves in sea conditions, can be uniformly distributed over the solar power generation equipment 1, thus avoiding damage. Furthermore, control electronics that are susceptible to failure and require maintenance for uniform force distribution to the corner joints 38 can be eliminated. For example, a force acting vertically upward on one of the corner joints 38, particularly a wave, generates a tensile force on the steel cable 5 connected to it, pulling the submersible means 4 downward, thereby releasing the other steel cable 5 and the corner joint 38 connected to it, reducing tension spikes.

[0088] Referring further to Figure 18, a perspective view of the lower portion 60 of a photovoltaic power generation system 1 according to one embodiment is shown. The lower portion 60 of the photovoltaic power generation system 1 has two incompressible buoyancies as second buoyancies 62 and one partially reversibly compressible buoyancy as a first buoyancy 64 attached to each of the photovoltaic panels 16, which are shown basically symmetrically. Connections between the photovoltaic panels 16 and to an (optional, not shown) frame 20 are provided via flexible connectors 17. As previously mentioned, the frame 20 is optional and can be omitted.

[0089] The first and second buoys 62 and 64 have a tubular design and are adapted to allow the solar power generation equipment 1 to float on the water surface 12. This tubular design allows for the simple and cost-effective production of the second buoy 62 from simple materials, such as aluminum of appropriate wall thickness.

[0090] The first buoyancy body 64, which provides a reversibly compressible volume of air, is adapted to be compressed at a depth of, for example, 2 m, and therefore to provide a predetermined positive buoyancy lower at the water surface. In this case, the first buoyancy body 64 is configured not to be further compressed at deeper depths, for example, more than 2 m. The second buoyancy body 62, which provides a constant incompressible volume of air, can provide only a small amount of buoyancy so that the solar power generation equipment 1 can move at and below this depth while reducing the energy input by the submersible means 4.

[0091] Referring to Figure 19, a further perspective view of a portion of the photovoltaic power generation equipment 1 according to one embodiment is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the photovoltaic panels 16 are formed with flexible connecting elements 17 in rows 70, 72, 74, and 76, and similarly the flexible connecting elements 17 arranged in rows 70', 72', 74', and 78' are formed as rotating elements that allow alternating rotation in opposite directions so that rows 70, 72, 74, and 76 align according to a reporello or zigzag fold. This can greatly simplify the transport and / or assembly or disassembly of the photovoltaic power generation equipment 1, for example, unfolding or folding the photovoltaic power generation equipment 1 on the water surface can be done with little force input or with the help of a watercraft. For disassembly of the photovoltaic power generation equipment 1, floats 80 can be temporarily attached to the connecting elements 17 in rows 72', 76', etc., and weights 82 can be attached to the connecting elements 17 in rows 70', 74', etc. By appropriately selecting the buoyancy of the floats 80 and weights 82, the solar power generation equipment 1 can be folded together on its own, thus enabling simple and cost-effective dismantling.

[0092] The following describes possible manufacturing routes for the photovoltaic power generation equipment 1 according to the present invention. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the photovoltaic power generation equipment 1 according to the present invention can also be obtained by other manufacturing processes.

[0093] The solar power generation panel 16 can be laminated from five layers. These layers can be structured as follows: rear tempered glass 3mm, POE film; solar cell; POE film; front tempered glass 3mm.

[0094] The frame 20 and the incompressible portion of the partially compressible buoyancy body 23 can be manufactured from saltwater-resistant aluminum by extrusion molding. Suitable aluminum alloys are known to those skilled in the art. The corner joints 38 can be manufactured by aluminum die casting. Waterproofing and stability can be ensured by O-rings, spot welding, or full welding. Suitable welding processes, such as friction stir welding, are known to those skilled in the art. For further stabilization, additional aluminum angles can be inserted into the frame 20, as is customary in conventional framed photovoltaic panels and front structures. The photovoltaic panels 16 can be bonded to the frame 20, for example, with silicone rubber.

[0095] The reversibly compressible portion of a partially compressible buoyancy body can be manufactured, for example, from polypropylene by extrusion molding. The ends can be sealed and made waterproof by heat sealing. The air conduction connection 25 between the two portions of the partially compressible buoyancy body can be made by an annular snap connection having an integrated O-ring. Suitable methods and designs are known to those skilled in the art.

[0096] The flexible connector 17 between panels can consist of two aluminum die-cast parts, which are overmolded in the center with elastic silicone rubber during injection molding to form a pressure fit. The geometric shape of the aluminum parts can be adapted so that they can be inserted into grooves in the outer shape of the frame and secured with clips. Alternative fastening types are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0097] The fastening element 15 can also be manufactured by the aluminum die-casting method. Its geometric shape can similarly be adapted so that it can be inserted into a groove in the outer shape of the frame and secured with a clip.

[0098] The necessary electrical connections 18 can be implemented using saltwater-resistant cables. The junction box 22 with electrical connections can be embedded with saltwater-resistant embedding resin. Suitable materials are known to those skilled in the art.

[0099] The rope net 2 can be made from a rope suitable for this purpose, and preferably from synthetic fibers. Methods and materials are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0100] The buoy at the corner point of the solar power generation facility 1 can be a simple steel structure. It may include a partially compressible and partially incompressible buoyancy body, thereby allowing the buoyancy at the surface and depth to be predetermined by the calculation method described above.

[0101] A compressible buoyancy device in the sense of the present invention can always be implemented by a downward-opening air layer, similar to the principle of a diving bell.

[0102] The diving means 4 can be designed as a winch system and can be flexibly attached to a buoy by rope. It can consist of a standard winch for steel cable and has a steel housing for protection. The steel housing may be open toward the bottom of the body of water and therefore may remain dry. This allows the air pressure within the winch system to adapt to the ambient pressure. The winch system can be powered by a rechargeable battery 27, such as a LiFePO battery, which can be charged by a solar panel 16. Control can be performed via a sonar transponder or via cable connection. Suitable systems are known to those skilled in the art. Control algorithms and electronic components are also known to those skilled in the art.

[0103] Anchors 6 at the bottom of a body of water can be implemented by screw anchors in the case of a sandy bottom. These and alternative anchoring methods are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0104] It is preferable that all materials be selected so that they can be fully recycled after their planned service life.

[0105] Cleaning of dirt and algae growth on the upper surface of solar panels can be done manually or with commercially available semi-automatic or fully automatic cleaning robots for solar panels. For example, semi-automatic or fully automatic cleaning robots for swimming pools can also be used. The cleaning robots can be battery-powered, and the batteries can be charged by sunlight.

[0106] Algae, barnacles, and mussels are expected to grow on the underside of the solar panels and buoyancy devices, which could lead to a decrease in buoyancy in the long term. The growth is not preferably removed. Smaller buoyancy devices can then be attached to restore the calculated ideal buoyancy behavior and allow for cleaning based on the spacing on the underside of the solar panels.

[0107] The present invention further includes the following embodiments:

[0108] Example 1. A submersible solar power generation system, the submersible solar power generation system comprising a solar panel and at least one buoyancy device connected to the solar panel, wherein the solar panel and the at least one buoyancy device have positive buoyancy on the surface of the water body, and submersible means adapted to cause the submersible solar power generation system to experience negative buoyancy, wherein the at least one buoyancy device comprises at least a partially reversibly compressible first buoyancy device. Example 2. Preferably, at least one buoyancy body comprises a second incompressible buoyancy body. Example 3. Preferably, at least one buoyancy device forms a frame structure that at least partially surrounds the solar power generation panel. Example 4. Preferably, the photovoltaic panel comprises multiple photovoltaic panels and flexible connecting elements, the multiple photovoltaic panels being interconnected via the flexible connecting elements. Example 5. Preferably, at least one buoyancy body is configured as a flexible connecting element. Example 6. Preferably, the multiple photovoltaic panels are arranged in several rows, some of which include a first row and an adjacent second row, and a flexible connecting element positioned between the first row and the second row comprises a hinge that allows the second row to substantially align with the first row. Example 6. Preferably, the solar power generation equipment includes at least one buoyancy device and connecting means, such as a rope net, which is connected to a submersible means. Example 7. It is preferable that the force applied by the submersible means acts substantially uniformly on at least one buoyancy device. Example 8. Preferably, the diving means comprises a pulling system, the pulling system being attached to at least one buoyancy body at several, for example, four or more attachment points, and the pulling system being configured to pull the solar panel and at least one buoyancy body to a predetermined diving depth. Example 9. Preferably, the tensioning system includes an anchor fixed to the bottom of the body of water. Example 10. Preferably, the pull-out system comprises at least one incompressible buoyancy body, several connecting means, and at least one pulley through which the several connecting means are guided, wherein one of the several connecting means connects to at least one of the at least one incompressible buoyancy body, and optionally to another of the one or several connecting means, such that the force acting on a particular mounting point and / or incompressible buoyancy body can be distributed to further mounting points and / or at least one incompressible buoyancy body, and preferably at least one pulley is fixed to the bottom of the body of water. Example 11. Preferably, at least one pulley is fixed to the bottom of the body of water. Example 12. Discloses the use of the submersible photovoltaic power generation equipment of the present invention for generating electrical energy. Example 13. Discloses a transport system for a submersible photovoltaic installation, comprising a container and a plurality of photovoltaic panels, wherein the plurality of photovoltaic panels are interconnected via flexible connecting elements, which are configured to reversibly transfer the plurality of photovoltaic panels from a flat first state to a folded second state, in the second state, at least some of the plurality of photovoltaic panels are arranged on top of each other so that the plurality of photovoltaic panels can be accommodated in the container. Example 14. A transport system for a submersible solar power generation facility preferably comprises a frame connected to a plurality of solar power generation panels such that the plurality of solar power generation panels can transition from a second state to a first state and / or from a first state to a second state by applying force to the frame. Example 15. Discloses the use of the transport system of the present invention for transporting a submersible solar power generation facility of the present invention.

Claims

1. A submersible solar power generation facility (1), said submersible solar power generation facility is Solar power generation panel (16) and At least one buoyancy body (21) connected to the solar power generation panel, wherein the solar power generation panel and the at least one buoyancy body have positive buoyancy on the water surface (12) of the body, The submersible solar power generation equipment comprises submersible means (4, 26) adapted to receive negative buoyancy, The at least one buoyancy body comprises a first buoyancy body that is at least partially reversibly compressible, and is a submersible solar power generation facility.

2. The submersible solar power generation equipment according to claim 1, wherein the at least one buoyancy body comprises an incompressible second buoyancy body (19).

3. The submersible solar power generation equipment according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one buoyancy body forms a frame structure that at least partially surrounds the solar power generation panel.

4. A submersible solar power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a plurality of solar power generation panels (16) and a flexible connecting element (17), wherein the plurality of solar power generation panels are interconnected via the flexible connecting element.

5. The submersible solar power generation equipment according to claim 4, wherein the at least one buoyancy body is configured as a flexible connecting element.

6. The submersible photovoltaic installation according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the plurality of photovoltaic panels are arranged in a plurality of rows, the plurality of rows comprising a first row and an adjacent second row, and a flexible connecting element positioned between the first row and the second row comprises a hinge that allows the second row to substantially conform to the first row.

7. A submersible solar power generation facility according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising at least one buoyancy body and a connecting means, such as a rope net (2), connected to the submersible means.

8. The submersible solar power generation equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the force applied by the submersible means acts substantially uniformly on the at least one buoyancy body.

9. The submersible solar power plant according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the submersible means (4) comprises a pulling system, the pulling system being attached to several, for example, four or more attachment points to the at least one buoyancy body, and the pulling system being configured to pull the solar power panel and the at least one buoyancy body to a predetermined submersible depth (10).

10. The submersible solar power generation equipment according to claim 9, wherein the pulling system comprises an anchor (6) fixed to the bottom of the body of water.

11. The pulling system comprises at least one incompressible buoyancy body, several connecting means, and at least one pulley on which the several connecting means are guided, wherein the several connecting means connect one of the several mounting points to at least one of the at least one incompressible buoyancy body, and optionally to another mounting point of one or more mounting points, respectively, such that forces acting on a particular mounting point and / or the incompressible buoyancy body can be distributed to further mounting points and / or the at least one incompressible buoyancy body, and preferably the at least one pulley is fixed to the bottom of the body of water, the submersible solar power generation equipment according to any one of claims 9 or 10.

12. Use of a submersible solar power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 11 for generating electrical energy.

13. A transport system for a submersible solar power generation facility comprising a container and multiple solar panels (16), A transport system for a submersible solar power plant according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the plurality of solar power panels are interconnected via flexible connecting elements (17) which reversibly transfer the plurality of solar power panels from a flat first state to a folded second state, and in the second state, at least some of the plurality of solar power panels are arranged on top of each other so that the plurality of solar power panels can be housed in the container.

14. A transport system for a submersible solar power plant according to claim 13, comprising a frame (30) connected to the plurality of solar power panels such that the plurality of solar power panels can transition from a second state to a first state and / or from a first state to a second state by applying force to the frame.

15. Use of the transport system according to claim 13 or 14 for transporting a submersible solar power generation facility according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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