Floating Solar Plant

Abstract

The present invention relates to a floating solar plant (1) supporting photovoltaic panels (PV), obtained by assembling a structural module (2) and a floating module (3) on a body of water to form a network of floating support devices (4) supporting photovoltaic panels, said network comprising a first row of floating support devices supporting a first row of photovoltaic panels (R1) and a second row of floating support devices supporting a second row of photovoltaic panels (R2), said first row of photovoltaic panels (R1) and said second row of photovoltaic panels (R2) being spaced apart according to a transverse direction (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction by the structural module (2), at least said structural module being configured to ensure that the spacing between the first row of photovoltaic panels (R1) and the second row of photovoltaic panels (R2) is submerged at least during the passage of a service unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a floating solar plant with a modular design, as well as to a method for manufacturing such a plant, a method for assembling such a plant, and a method for maintaining such a plant.

[0002] The present disclosure covers solar plants with modular design, in particular solar plants forming floating networks, solar plants supporting photovoltaic panels, and more particularly solar plants with large dimensions. [Background technology]

[0003] Such plants with a modular design are known, for example, from the applicant's patent application WO 02 / 047994 or WO 02 / 047994. These techniques allow the design of photovoltaic plants with large dimensions, ranging from several hundred kilowatts to several tens of megawatts and even larger.

[0004] In both cases, the modular elements of the plants according to US 2005 / 0129994 and US 2005 / 0129994 consist essentially of plastic elements which are easily obtained by moulding at reduced cost. Due to their modular design, the floating devices supporting the photovoltaic panels advantageously have limited weight and bulk and are adapted to be assembled from the edge of the shore without specific lifting equipment such as cranes for placing the floating devices in the water, the network of floating support devices being gradually pushed on the water as it is assembled, typically by human force.

[0005] It is noteworthy that, according to the applicant's observations, the floating capacity of such plants is sized not only to support the vertical load of the components that make up the plant, but also the load of one or several people who move over the network to carry out maintenance on the plant. Therefore, these plants, as designed and operated today, traditionally have maintenance aisles for workers between the different rows of photovoltaic panels.

[0006] According to the applicant's observations, the design of such solar plants with a modular design does not allow the required reduction in material costs for the proper implementation of maintenance, and leads to an overestimation of the floating capacity of the solar plant compared to what is strictly necessary from a physical point of view, in order to bear the vertical loads of the photovoltaic panels, and possibly of the inverters and electrical cables, as well as the vertical loads of the components that make up the floating solar plant.

[0007] Patent document 3 describes such a state-of-the-art module and criticizes its excessive sensitivity to roll, pitch and yaw, which, according to this prior art, is believed to be due to the fact that the structures are mechanically linked to each other above the water.

[0008] The solution proposed by US Patent No. 5,999,233 comprises several pairs of mooring lines in a generally horizontal manner, each connected at the bottom to a sinker and at the other end to a buoy, ensuring tension on a completely submerged intermediate connection element in the form of a tensioning cable extending below the water surface.

[0009] Each of the photovoltaic panel floating support devices comprises a self-supporting skeleton to which a plurality of floats are secured at the front and rear of the device.

[0010] This skeleton is - extending in the upper part of the float to ensure support and tilt of the panel; - Extending in the lower part of the float to support submerged vanes intended to limit pitching and rolling movements.

[0011] Hooks are provided at the bottom portion of the skeleton to allow the floating support devices to be fastened to tensioning cables, which extend in a generally horizontal manner and are submerged below the skeletons of the different floating support devices.

[0012] Such a design therefore allows the cables to be kept taut and extend in a submerged horizontal manner, fastened to hooks in the lower part of the skeleton of the floating support device that supports the panels at the bottom, reducing the sensitivity of the floating support device to roll, pitch and yaw.

[0013] Maintenance of the panels is performed by a boat, which may be temporarily coupled to the floating support device using rods that are removably attached to mounting brackets on the floating support device.

[0014] The floating solar plant according to Patent Document 3 has a structure that is designed to act only in tension along the direction of the tensioning cables, and is based on maintaining the floating support devices in tension by this structure, which is submerged substantially horizontally and includes tensioning cables fastened to hooks in the lower part of the device's skeleton. This requires each cable to be pulled by its two ends, which lead to weights. According to the inventor's findings, this structure with tensioning cables is particularly difficult to implement and does not allow for the maintenance of a large number of floating support devices for photovoltaic panels. In particular, unlike the aforementioned modular plants, it is not possible to assemble the network of floats from the shore or the beach in both spatial directions, and therefore it is not possible to gradually push the structure as it is assembled on land, since it cannot withstand compression along the direction of the cables.

[0015] From US Pat. No. 5,629,999 it is also known to form floating solar plants with a modular design comprising floating support devices each comprising a float and mechanical means for fastening a photovoltaic panel to the float.

[0016] Notably, spacers with U-shaped passage spaces allow two rows of floating devices supporting the panels to be linked together, and each spacer is submerged to create a waterway through the U-shaped spacer. A maintenance platform with a small draft allows maintenance of the solar plant to be ensured as the maintenance platform float patrols along the waterway.

[0017] The network structure of this plant therefore comprises the foundation floats that support the photovoltaic panels and extend above the water surface for the largest part, and U-shaped spacers, which are anchored to the bottom at the sides of the network edges, typically by weights. It is noteworthy that this structure must withstand compressive and tensile forces generated by environmental conditions such as waves or wind. The inventors have found that such structures have low structural strength and susceptibility to deformation under stress (in tension or compression), especially since the U-shaped spacers are significantly more likely to deform, specifically bend, when loaded in compression or tension, unless an additional floating mechanical link is provided, as described in paragraph 46 of the prior art of US Pat. No. 5,999,433 and shown in Figures 13A and 13B. Such additional linkages are slidably mounted at the ends of the two vertical webs of the U and are constrained in their upper position by the floating linkages. The linkage can be submerged in a low mounting position to allow passage of the maintenance platform float.

[0018] As shown in Figure 12 of this prior art document of Patent Document 4, the structure ensuring the force transmission of the network not only comprises floats of floating devices supporting the panels substantially at the water surface (not submerged for the most part), but also comprises connections (submerged for the most part) in the form of U-shaped passages. In other words, such a network structure according to Patent Document 4 extends alternately above the water surface with its floats and below the floats with its U-shaped connections.

[0019] The applicant has observed that this structure makes it difficult to assemble the network of floats from the shore in both spatial directions and then gradually push the structure as it is assembled from the shore, since the structure has protruding U-shaped connections below the floats that cannot rest on the ground, and these protruding connections simply slide on the ground, thereby generating considerable friction in the water that resists pushing.

[0020] A floating solar plant is also known from US Pat. No. 5,623,999, which comprises a lattice of tensioned flexible ropes in a peripheral rigid, possibly articulated structure, the flexible ropes of the lattice extending generally horizontally above the water surface. The flexible ropes form a plurality of polygonal cells with nodes at their intersections. A plurality of individual floating solar modules are arranged in the cells and fastened directly or indirectly to the nodes.

[0021] Some of the nodes have rigid connections in the form of partially submerged U- or V-shapes, making it possible to create a channel between the two rows of modules. Tension ropes are attached to the ends of the U above the water, while the middle part of the U is submerged. The channel allows for the patrol of a maintenance unit comprising the two hull sections and the bridge section.

[0022] The inventors have found that, like the '399 patent, the '599 patent requires tensioning of ropes for its implementation, and more specifically, the formation of a lattice of flexible ropes that requires tensioning in a surrounding structure. The inventors have found that such a lattice of tensioned ropes is particularly difficult to implement.

[0023] Like Patent Document 4, Patent Document 5 uses U-junctions that extend below the plane of the rope lattice to create a channel, rather than in the horizontal plane of the rope lattice. The structural (tensile) forces are distributed alternately in the horizontal plane of the rope lattice and in the U-shaped portions below the horizontal plane, and are therefore not contained in the horizontal plane, which is not ideal in terms of force transmission. Like Patent Document 4, the use of multiple submerged U-junctions to create a channel is not ideal, as the inventor has observed that such U-junctions are overly sensitive to deformations in the horizontal plane. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0024] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 201213998 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2015092237 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0033732 [Patent Document 4] US Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0001975 [Patent Document 5] International Publication No. 2014 / 136106 [Patent Document 6] International Publication No. 2019053389 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0025] The present invention is intended to address this situation.

[0026] More specifically, the object of the present invention is to propose a plant whose modular design allows it to be easily and quickly assembled from the shore, in particular, in a non-limiting manner, without the need for lifting means to place the plant in the water, and whose design allows maintenance to be carried out without requiring an over-floating capacity of the plant, in particular compared to the plants known for example from patent document 1 or patent document 2, where carrying out maintenance requires the floating capacity of the plant to take into account the load of one or several workers carrying out the maintenance.

[0027] More specifically, according to at least one embodiment, the object of the present invention is to propose a plant whose modular design allows to create water channels in the photovoltaic panels and to carry out maintenance in a design that allows for quick assembly of these modules, while being robust and only sensitive to deformations under wave and wind conditions, with an improved network structure compared to that disclosed by Patent Document 4.

[0028] Another object of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to propose a plant in which the modules comprising such a plant can, in a disassembled state, be easily transported and stored thanks to their weight and limited bulkiness.

[0029] Another object of the invention is to propose a plant provided with a service module specifically designed for carrying out maintenance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0030] Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description, which is provided for purposes of indication and is not intended to be limiting.

[0031] The present disclosure also provides a floating solar plant supporting photovoltaic panels, obtained by assembling structural modules and floating modules on a body of water to form a floating network supporting photovoltaic panels, comprising: - a first row of photovoltaic panels; - a second row of photovoltaic panels; Equipped with the first row of photovoltaic panels and the second row of photovoltaic panels extend along the same longitudinal direction and are spaced apart according to a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; at least a structural module that ensures spacing between the first row of photovoltaic panels and the second row of photovoltaic panels is configured to be submerged and to allow a floating service unit to circulate along the waterway above said structural module; The present invention relates to a floating solar plant, wherein said structure of the network is obtained from an assembly of structural modules that are rigid or semi-rigid and are configured to act substantially along two directions of the horizontal plane of the structure while resisting the compressive and tensile forces to which said structure of the network is subjected.

[0032] According to the present disclosure, the structure of the network may extend substantially along a horizontal plane, the structure may comprise said assembly of structural modules forming a lattice of beams with a polygonal mesh extending along the horizontal plane, the beams of the lattice replicating the polygonal pattern of the mesh, feature openings configured to cool the photovoltaic panels positioned above the structure of the network, the lattice of beams being configured to be submerged in place or alternatively to be at least locally submerged under the vertical load of the service units, and vertical supports are received on the structural modules, in particular on the beams of the lattice and possibly on the floating modules, to ensure the vertical connection of the photovoltaic panels with respect to the horizontal plane of said structure of the network, so that compressive / tensile forces are transmitted in the structural modules while included in the horizontal plane forming the structure of the network. Preferably, the structure of the network has a planar seat, said structure of the network being configured to be substantially planar when resting on a planar surface.

[0033] For example, the lattice may have a triangular mesh, or a diamond mesh, or a hexagonal (honeycomb) mesh, etc. The lattice may be complete or may be incomplete, with some of the beams missing, preferably irregularly.

[0034] The beams of the lattice can be composed of "long" beams, meaning that the beams have dimensions larger than the polygonal pattern of the mesh (specifically, dimensions larger than the sides of the pattern, e.g., triangles), or they can be composed of "short" beams with dimensions corresponding to the lengths of the sides of the polygons in the polygonal pattern of the lattice mesh.

[0035] When "short" beams are used, fasteners can be used to link beams belonging to the same structural module so that the beams are set end-to-end at the intersections of the polygonal pattern. These fasteners have, at least in part, flexible protruding lugs that allow the structural modules to be assembled with one another to form the structural lattice. These flexible protruding lugs can deform the lattice structure out of the horizontal plane formed by the structure, particularly under the vertical load of the service units, particularly at the intersections of the polygons of the pattern.

[0036] If the beams of the structure are composed of "long" beams, meaning that the beams have dimensions larger than the polygonal (specifically triangular) pattern of the mesh, then according to at least one embodiment it may be possible to obtain local sinking of the structure by dimensioning the beams which can bend under the vertical load of the workers (or maintenance unit) so that the structure sinks locally into the water at the level of the vertical load, and thus a portion of the mesh away from the load remains out of the water.

[0037] The structure of the network extending along a horizontal plane can hang on the horizontal surface, in particular directly through the beams of the lattice, or through the floating modules, in particular if the floating modules are separate from the structural modules.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the floating capacity of the solar plant is fully submerged in a predetermined location with a predetermined water depth above the structural modules, so that the network structure formed by the lattice of beams with a polygonal mesh (extending along a horizontal plane) forms a waterway between the first row of photovoltaic panels and the second row of photovoltaic panels and extends along its longitudinal direction. To this end, the structural modules extending along a horizontal plane can be arranged below the floating modules in order to keep the network structure (i.e., the lattice with a polygonal mesh) fully submerged in a predetermined location. In all cases, the photovoltaic panels PV of the plant are kept out of water by vertical supports, possibly floating modules, extending from the beams of the lattice with a polygonal mesh.

[0039] Another possibility is that the floating capacity of the plant is - the structure of the network formed by the grid of beams with polygonal meshes extending along the horizontal plane is configured to be above the water when it is not subjected to any (substantial) vertical load other than the vertical load of the photovoltaic panels; - the structural modules are configured to be at least locally submerged under the vertical load of the service units acting vertically on the structure of the network, and the photovoltaic panels of the plant are maintained out of water by vertical supports in the local submersion by the service units.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the floating capacity of the plant is preferably insufficient to allow a worker, male or female, weighing between 60 kg and 150 kg to walk on the beams of the lattice structure without his feet entering the water, due to local sinking of the structure. In other words, when a worker weighing between 60 kg and 150 kg walks on the network (i.e. lattice with a polygonal mesh) structure, the structure sinks in the water, causing the worker's feet to enter the water.

[0041] According to an advantageous embodiment, the structure of the network obtained from the assembly of the structural modules forms a lattice with a polygonal mesh, in particular with a triangular mesh, such as equilateral or isosceles triangles, a rhombic mesh or a hexagonal mesh (honeycomb shape).

[0042] According to one embodiment, the structure of the network is obtained from an assembly of self-supporting floating support devices, each (or at least most) of which supports a photovoltaic panel, possibly a plurality of photovoltaic panels, such as two or three panels, said floating support devices comprising said structural modules, and each structural module of the floating support device supports a photovoltaic panel, possibly a plurality of photovoltaic panels.

[0043] Specifically, the structural modules of each floating support device extend across the photovoltaic panels in a transverse direction to create a waterway between the first row of photovoltaic panels and the second row of photovoltaic panels.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the structural modules of each floating support device are configured from a grid pattern with a polygonal mesh, forming polygons, for example triangles, particularly isosceles or equilateral triangles, or rhombuses, and linking means ensure fastening of the structural modules of the floating support device to each other, particularly by the intersections of the polygonal pattern of the mesh.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the structural module comprises tubes forming the sides of the polygons of the polygonal pattern, the tubes being assembled together at the intersections of the polygons by fasteners, which form deflections and may also be tubular.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the linking means ensures fastening of the structural modules of the device to one another and comprises ears protruding from the fasteners, some of the ears being set opposite one another and crossed by locking members to ensure fastening between the floating support devices.

[0047] In particular, the tube forms several envelopes that tightly enclose air or is filled with a material that has a density less than that of water. The seal can be obtained by a tight weld between the fastener and the tube, in particular when the tube is filled with air.

[0048] Specifically, when both the tube and the fastener are made of plastic material, the welding may consist of induction welding obtained by exposing to electromagnetic radiation a metallized ring provided as an intermediate between the inner / outer support surface of the fastener and the outer / inner support surface of the tube. When exposed to electromagnetic radiation, the metallized ring heats to a temperature above the melting point of the fastener and tube plastics, causing a weld between the fastener plastic and the tube plastic. Preferably, the ring is perforated, e.g., uniformly perforated, or covered with a wire mesh to promote intimate contact through the perforations between the plastic of the outer / inner support surface of the tube and the plastic of the fastener.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the structure of the network (i.e. the grid with polygonal mesh) is configured such that under the load of the photovoltaic panels it is above the water and is not completely submerged in place, but is temporarily and locally submerged by deformation of the flexible ears under the vertical load of the maintenance unit.

[0050] According to one embodiment, all or part of the locking members that intersect the ears are fixed to a floating module positioned above the network structure formed by the assembly of the structural modules in order to keep the network structure (a lattice with polygonal mesh) submerged in place.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the polygonal pattern of the lattice is a polygon with N sides, and N separate structural modules are assembled by their ends, each forming a polygonal side of the lattice with the polygonal pattern, and the structural modules (i.e., the ``short'' beams) can be assembled by ears at the ends set opposite each other and crossed by locking members.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the floating modules are received in whole or in part on structural modules that are not floatable per se, for example, the structure of the network resulting from the assembly of structural modules is not floatable per se, but the floating capacity of the plant is ensured by said floating modules provided as elements separate from the structural modules, and at least the photovoltaic panels of the first row of photovoltaic panels and / or the second row of panels are fixed to the floating modules via vertical supports that directly associate the photovoltaic panels with the floating modules.

[0053] According to another possibility, the structural module incorporates the functions of the floating module and can therefore be formed by the same elements, namely tubular beams and possibly fasteners, which can tightly enclose an air volume or can comprise a material with a density less than that of water.

[0054] According to the present disclosure, the vertical supports are received by the structural modules (or floating modules) to ensure the vertical connection of the photovoltaic panels with respect to the horizontal plane forming the structure of the network. For example, the structural modules and the vertical supports are assembled by hook rib / hook groove pairs. If the beams of the grid are made of tubes, the tubes are typically obtained by extrusion, possibly with the acquisition of hook rib / hook groove during extrusion by an extrusion die that defines the rib / groove profile.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the beams of the lattice are constructed from tubes having lengths corresponding to the sides of the polygonal pattern of the lattice and assembled together by fasteners at the intersections of the polygonal pattern.

[0056] In particular, the floating module may be formed by a structural module tube that forms an airtight envelope, possibly with fasteners, or filled with a material having a density less than that of water.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the plant comprises a first row of photovoltaic panels and a second row of photovoltaic panels followed by a third row of photovoltaic panels, wherein the second row of photovoltaic panels and the third row of photovoltaic panels each extend along the same longitudinal direction and are spaced apart in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction by structural modules, wherein the structural modules ensuring the spacing between the second row of photovoltaic panels and the third row of photovoltaic panels are configured to be submerged to form a waterway along the longitudinal direction between the second row of photovoltaic panels and the third row of photovoltaic panels, allowing the patrol of a floating service unit, and wherein the structural modules extend substantially along a horizontal plane so that compressive / tensile forces are transmitted in the structure while included in the horizontal plane of the structure of the network.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the plant is equipped with a floating service unit U, configured to circulate along the waterway between a first row of photovoltaic panels and a second row of photovoltaic panels.

[0059] The service unit is - a first shell and a second shell spaced apart according to a spacing between two water channels separating the first row of photovoltaic panels from the second row of photovoltaic panels on the one hand and separating the second row of photovoltaic panels from the third row of photovoltaic panels on the other hand, the first shell being configured to circulate with the water channels between the first row of photovoltaic panels and the second row of photovoltaic panels, and the second shell being configured to circulate with the water channels between the second row of photovoltaic panels and the third row of photovoltaic panels; a bridge portion connecting the first shell portion and the second shell portion to each other and configured to straddle the photovoltaic panels of the second row of photovoltaic panels when the service unit moves along the longitudinal direction; It may comprise:

[0060] According to one embodiment, the bridge section comprises a window.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the floating unit is configured to travel along a waterway above a structural module connected between a first row of photovoltaic panels and a second row of photovoltaic panels, and possibly above a structural module connected between the second row of photovoltaic panels and a third row of photovoltaic panels, while hanging on to said structural module, in particular on the beams of a lattice with a polygonal mesh, thereby causing local sinking of the network structure.

[0062] According to one embodiment, all or part of the floating and structural modules are made up of metal, plastic or composite elements obtained by moulding or extrusion, or are obtained from an assembly of metal, plastic or composite elements obtained by moulding or extrusion.

[0063] The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing structural modules of a plant according to the present disclosure, wherein the structural modules forming a polygonal pattern of a lattice with a polygonal mesh of the network structure are obtained by assembling plastic pipes with lengths corresponding to the sides of the polygonal pattern of the lattice with the polygonal mesh, the pipes being set end to end by plastic tubular fasteners at the intersections of the polygonal pattern and assembled by close welding between the inner / outer support surfaces of the fasteners and the outer / inner support surfaces of the pipes to form the structural modules, respectively.

[0064] The welding consists of an induction weld obtained by exposing to electromagnetic radiation a preferably perforated metallized ring, which is provided as an intermediate between the inner / outer support surface of the fastener and the outer / inner support surface of the pipe.

[0065] The present disclosure also relates to a method for assembling a plant according to the present disclosure, wherein the structural modules obtained by the method for manufacturing structural modules are assembled by setting ears protruding from fasteners opposite each other, some ears being set opposite each other and crossed by locking members of the structural modules at intersections of the polygonal pattern of the lattice of the network structure.

[0066] The present disclosure also relates to a method for assembling a plant according to the present disclosure, wherein the structural modules, floating modules and photovoltaic panels are assembled together on the shore of a body of water, while gradually pushing the structure of the network supporting the photovoltaic panels as they are assembled.

[0067] The present disclosure also relates to a method for maintaining a plant according to the present disclosure with a service unit, wherein maintenance of the plant is ensured thanks to the service unit circulating in the waterways between the photovoltaic panels.

[0068] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent from reading the following detailed description and from examining the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0069] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view of a floating solar plant, the network structure being obtained from the assembly of structural modules of floating support devices, each forming a lattice with a triangular mesh supporting a photovoltaic panel, each structural module forming a triangular pattern of the lattice, the floating support devices being assembled together by the intersections of the triangles of each triangular pattern, the pipes of the structural modules ensuring the floating capacity of the plant, the structural modules forming the floating modules, the floating capacity of the plant being configured such that the structural modules are above water when subjected to the load of the photovoltaic panels and at least locally sink under the vertical load of the floating service unit, while forming at least one water channel between a first row of photovoltaic panels and a second row of photovoltaic panels, and possibly a water channel between the second row of panels and a third row of photovoltaic panels, and possibly more roughly a perspective view of a plant with an integer number N of photovoltaic panels and a water channel between the kth row and the k+1th row, where k is between 2 and N-1. [Figure 2] 2 is a bottom view of FIG. 1 showing a lattice with a triangular mesh resulting from the assembly of structural modules along a substantially horizontal plane. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a detailed view showing the fastenings between the nodes of the structural modules of the floating support device of the plant of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the floating support device of the plant according to FIG. 1. [Figure 4a] FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the hook rib / hook groove pair that ensures fastening between the vertical support and the tube of the structural module. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the tubes forming the triangular sides of the structural module, including the hook ribs, which may be obtained by extrusion. [Figure 6]1 is a diagram of a solar floating plant including a first shell configured to circulate in a waterway between a first row of photovoltaic panels and a second row of photovoltaic panels above a structural module; a second shell configured to circulate in a waterway between the second row of photovoltaic panels and a third row of photovoltaic panels above the structural module; and a bridge configured to connect the first shell and the second shell to each other and to be positioned across the photovoltaic panels of the second row of photovoltaic panels when a service unit circulates in a longitudinal direction. [Figure 7] 2 is a diagram of a floating solar plant according to an embodiment, which differs from the floating solar plant of FIG. 1 in that the network structure, extending along a horizontal plane and formed by triangular structural modules, is fully submerged in place, and the floating capacity of the plant is ensured by means of floating modules positioned above the network structure, fixed to locking members, and crossing the ears of the fasteners of the structural modules to ensure the fastening of the floating support devices to each other. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a solar floating plant according to a third embodiment, in which the structure of the network has a triangular mesh, and each triangular pattern of the mesh is formed by three structural modules set opposite each other and assembled by ends with ears of the structural modules crossed by locking members. [Figure 9] Schematic diagram of a solar floating plant according to a fourth embodiment, in which the structure of the network is obtained from an assembly of long beams and has a triangular mesh according to other possible orientations of the rows of photovoltaic panels with respect to the triangular pattern of the network. [Figure 10] 5 is a schematic diagram of a floating solar plant according to a fifth embodiment, in which the structure of the network is obtained from an assembly of long beams and has a triangular mesh according to still other possible orientations of the rows of photovoltaic panels with respect to the triangular pattern of the network. [Figure 11]10 is a schematic diagram of a floating solar plant according to a sixth embodiment, in which the structure of the network consists of a lattice with a triangular mesh resulting from an assembly of beams forming the sides of a triangular pattern, the structure of the network itself is not floatable, the floating capacity of the plant is ensured by floating modules that are fixed to the lattice, in particular in which the lattice is embedded, each floating module in particular having grooves and in particular being cross-shaped, the beams of the lattice extend in the longitudinal direction, and the photovoltaic panels of different rows of the float are fixed to the floating modules via vertical supports. [Figure 12] The structure of the network is obtained from the assembly of structural modules of the floating support device, each forming a lattice with a diamond-shaped mesh that supports the photovoltaic panels, each structural module forming a diamond-shaped pattern of the lattice, the floating support devices being assembled together by the diamond intersections of each diamond pattern, the tubes of the structural modules ensuring the floating capacity of the plant, the structural modules forming floating modules, the floating capacity of the plant being configured such that the structural modules are above the water when bearing the load of the photovoltaic panels, and the floating service units. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floating solar plant that sinks at least locally under a vertical load of the photovoltaic panels while forming at least one water channel between a first row of photovoltaic panels (which is a double row) and a second row of photovoltaic panels (which is a double row), and possibly forming a water channel between the second row of panels and a third row of photovoltaic panels (which is a double row), and possibly more roughly for a plant with an integer number N of photovoltaic panels and a water channel between the kth row and the k+1th row, where k is between 2 and N-1. [Figure 12a] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of structural modules forming a diamond-shaped pattern ("duo-pitch") of floating support devices configured to support two panels. [Figure 13] A cross-sectional view according to a plane passing through the axis of the tube showing welding between the outer support surface of the tube and the inner support surface of the fastener via an intermediate metallized ring configured for performing induction welding between the plastic of the outer support surface of the tube and the plastic of the inner support surface of the fastener. [Figure 14] A cross-sectional view along a vertical cutting plane of a fastener for a structural module of a plant, in which the fastener has a tubular body made of plastic and forming a 60° deflection (for the particular case of an equilateral triangle), and is provided with a first metallized ring fitted over and overmolded, a first inner support surface intended to receive the outer support surface of the first pipe, and a second metallized ring fitted over and overmolded, a second inner support surface inclined at 60° relative to the first pipe and intended to receive the outer support surface of the second pipe, the first and second metallized rings being perforated and configured to ensure melting of the plastic of the inner support surface of the fastener and melting of the plastic of the outer support surface of the pipe through the perforations in the rings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0070] The following drawings and descriptions inherently include certain elements, and therefore, they can be used not only to better understand the present disclosure, but also, where appropriate, to contribute to the definition of the present disclosure.

[0071] The present disclosure relates to a floating solar plant 1 supporting photovoltaic panels PV, obtained from an assembly of structural modules 2; 2' and floating modules 3; 3' on a body of water, forming a floating network supporting photovoltaic panels, - a first row R1 of photovoltaic panels; - a second row R2 of photovoltaic panels; wherein a first row R1 of photovoltaic panels and a second row R2 of photovoltaic panels extend along the same longitudinal direction D and are spaced apart according to a transverse direction T perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0072] According to the present disclosure, at least the structural module 2 is configured to ensure spacing between a first row R1 of photovoltaic panels and a second row R2 of photovoltaic panels and to be at least locally and / or temporarily submerged to allow the patrol of a floating service unit U along a waterway Vn above the structural module 2.

[0073] According to the present disclosure, the structure of the network is obtained from an assembly of structural modules 2 that are rigid or semi-rigid, and that are configured to act substantially along two (non-parallel) directions in the horizontal plane of the structure while resisting the compressive and tensile forces to which the structure of the network is subjected.

[0074] According to the present disclosure, the structure of the network extends substantially along a horizontal plane so that compressive / tensile forces are transmitted in the structural modules 2 while they are included in said horizontal plane of said structure of the network.

[0075] Notably, according to at least one embodiment, the structure of the network has a planar seat, said structure of the network being configured to be substantially planar when resting on a planar surface.

[0076] According to the present disclosure, the structure of the network resulting from the assembly of the structural modules 2 forms a lattice with a polygonal mesh, which extends substantially along the horizontal plane of the structure of the network.

[0077] The network structure can be moored to the bottom (or shore) using mooring lines, connecting the network structure to sinkers or stakes.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the floating capacity of the solar plant 1 is achieved by being fully submerged in place, with a predetermined depth of water above the structural modules 2, such that the structure of the network extending along a horizontal plane forms a water channel between the first row R1 of photovoltaic panels and the second row R2 of photovoltaic panels, extending along the longitudinal direction D. Such an embodiment is shown for illustrative purposes in Figure 7. The benefit of a network structure fully submerged in place advantageously allows filtering at least a portion of the ultraviolet rays and possibly smoothing the temperature changes experienced by the structure of the network compared to a network structure in which the structural modules are in the open air.

[0079] To that end, structural modules 2 extending along a horizontal plane are placed below floating modules 3 in order to keep the structure of the network fully submerged in place.

[0080] Alternatively, the floating capacity of the plant is configured so that the structure of the network extending along a horizontal plane is above the water when not subjected to any substantial vertical loads other than the vertical loads of the photovoltaic panels and possibly other than the vertical loads of the electrical wiring.

[0081] Furthermore, in such a case, the floating capacity of the plant is configured in such a way that said structural module 2 is at least locally and temporarily submerged under the vertical load of the service unit U acting vertically on the structure of the network. According to this other possibility, the water passage Vn between the first row R1 of photovoltaic panels and the second row R2 of photovoltaic panels with a predetermined water depth above the structural module is ensured solely by the submersion of the structure of the network by the service unit U.

[0082] Furthermore, it should be noted that the floating capacity of the plant may preferably be insufficient to allow a worker, male or female, weighing between 60 kg and 150 kg, to walk on the beams of the lattice structure without his feet entering the water, due to localized sinking of the structure. In other words, when a worker walks on the beams of the lattice, these sink locally, causing the worker's feet to enter the water.

[0083] This local sinking can result from dimensioning the beams that bend under the vertical load of the workers (or maintenance units) in such a way that the structure sinks locally into the water at the level of the vertical load, and thus parts of the lattice structure remote from the load remain out of the water. Such an embodiment is particularly appropriate when the beams of the lattice are "long" beams, i.e. when the beams have dimensions larger than the polygonal (specifically triangular) pattern of the mesh, for example according to Figures 9 and 10.

[0084] This local subsidence may also result from the fact that the lattice structure has flexible regions, especially at the level of the intersections of the mesh polygons.

[0085] In either case, even when the network structure is pushed down by the maintenance unit, the photovoltaic panels PV of the solar plant are maintained out of the water, in particular via vertical supports 6 that connect the structural modules 2, 2' to the photovoltaic panels, or in particular via vertical supports 6' that connect the photovoltaic panels PV to a floating module 3' (provided as an element separate from the structural modules), as shown in the example in Figure 11.

[0086] The beams of the lattice can be made up of "long" beams, meaning that the beams have dimensions larger than the polygonal (particularly triangular) pattern of the mesh, for example, as per the examples of Figures 9 and 10, or they can be made up of "short" beams, particularly in the form of tubes, with dimensions corresponding to the length of one side of the polygon of the mesh pattern of the lattice, for example, as per the examples of Figures 1 to 7, 8, and 12.

[0087] When "short" beams are used, fasteners 21 are used to connect the beams to the hoppers at the intersections of the polygonal pattern. These fasteners 21 have at least two inner (or alternatively outer) bearing surfaces that cooperate with outer (or alternatively inner) bearing surfaces belonging to two consecutive beams of the polygonal pattern. These fasteners may also support the ears 50. The ears 50 can therefore also deform the structure of the lattice, particularly at the intersections of the polygonal pattern.

[0088] The mesh pattern can be composed of polygons, specifically regular or irregular polygons. The polygons can be composed of rectangles, specifically squares or rhombuses; triangles, specifically isosceles or equilateral triangles; or a honeycomb pattern (hexagonal). The lattice can be complete (no missing beams) or incomplete, as shown in FIG. 12. FIGS. 1-8 show some embodiments in which the lattice has a triangular mesh, where the polygons are composed of triangles, specifically equilateral or isosceles triangles. FIG. 12 shows a lattice with a diamond mesh, where the floating support devices have structural modules that form a diamond pattern. Reinforcing beams may connect two opposite intersections of the diamonds, as shown in FIG. 12a.

[0089] It is noted that the beams of the grid, which replicate the polygonal pattern of the mesh, are characterized in particular by (empty) openings with substantial dimensions, which make it possible to reduce the weight of the structure and, possibly, to efficiently cool the photovoltaic panels located above the structure of the network, in particular by air convection phenomena between the water and the photovoltaic panels, even when the structural modules are not submerged in place under the weight of the photovoltaic panels.

[0090] Different rows of panels (first row R1, second row R2, third row R3) can be carried by successive rows of different polygonal patterns, the dimensions of the polygonal patterns in the transverse direction T being oversized between two successive rows of polygonal patterns each carrying a row of photovoltaic panels in order to create a space forming a channel Vn between two rows of photovoltaic panels R1, R2; R2, R3 (and generally Rk, Rk+1).

[0091] The rows R1, R2, and more broadly Rk may consist of simple rows of panels as shown in Figures 1 to 11, or may consist of rows of panels, e.g., double rows, as shown in Figure 12. Thus, in Figure 12, each member of the row is a pair of photovoltaic panels, and is specifically "duo-pitch", i.e., two panels of the member have opposite slopes.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the structure of the network is obtained from an assembly of self-supporting floating support devices 4, each supporting a photovoltaic panel, as shown in particular in FIG. 1, and possibly each supporting a limited number of panels, such as two photovoltaic panels as shown in FIGS. 12a and 12b, or each diamond-shaped pattern supporting a pair of panels (duopitch), or three photovoltaic panels. Each support comprises said structural module 2, each structural module 2 supporting said photovoltaic panel PV. Such an embodiment is illustrated for the floating plant of FIGS. 1 to 6 when the network structure is not fully submerged in place only by the depression caused by the service unit, as shown in FIG. 6, and also in FIG. 7 when the network structure is fully submerged in place.

[0093] It should be noted that the structural modules 2 of each floating support device 4 extend beyond the photovoltaic panels PV along the transverse direction T so as to create a water channel Vn between the first row of photovoltaic panels R1 and the second row of photovoltaic panels R2.

[0094] Each floating support device 4 may consist of a lattice pattern (in the sense of the structure of the network) with a mesh of polygons forming polygons, in particular regular or irregular, in particular triangles, such as equilateral or isosceles triangles (as shown for example in Figure 2), or rhombuses in Figure 12a. The linking means 5 ensure the fastening of the structural modules 2 of the floating support device 4 to each other, in particular via the intersections.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the structural modules 2 of the floating support device 4 comprise tubes 20 that form the sides of each polygon of the polygonal pattern, and the tubes 20 are assembled together by fasteners 21 at the intersections of the polygons.

[0096] The tubes may form one or several envelopes that tightly enclose air, or may be filled with a material with a density less than that of water. The seal can be obtained by a tight weld between the fasteners and the tube, particularly if the tube is filled with air. In such a case, the tubular structural module 2 incorporates the function of the floating module 3 (and is therefore formed from the same elements), so that the structure of the network is above water and is not completely submerged in place under the load of the photovoltaic panels, but is only temporarily submerged under the vertical load of the maintenance unit.

[0097] Alternatively, according to the embodiment shown in particular in Figure 7, the tubular structural module 2 does not ensure the floating capacity of the plant but is completely submerged in place under the load of the plant's photovoltaic panels.

[0098] For this purpose, the floating module 3, positioned above the structural module and fixed to the structural module 2, ensures the floating capacity of the plant while keeping the photovoltaic panels PV out of the water and keeping the structure of the network, i.e. the lattice of beams with a polygonal pattern, completely submerged.

[0099] The linking means 5 ensures that the structural modules of the floating support devices are fastened to each other and can allow a slight angular movement between the floating support devices, so that the structure of the network can deform under the effect of expansion.

[0100] Thus, the linking means 5 may comprise ears 50 protruding from the fasteners 21, some of the ears 50 being set opposite each other and crossed by locking members 51 to ensure fastening between the floating support devices 4.

[0101] When the structure of the network is above water under the load of the photovoltaic panels, the ears 50 may be flexible to obtain local sinking of the structure under the load of the maintenance unit.

[0102] According to one embodiment, all or part of the locking members 51 intersecting the ears 50 are fixed to a floating module 3 positioned above the structure of the network formed by the assembly of the structural modules 2. As can be seen from the applicant's patent application WO 2007 / 024990, all or part of the floating module 3 can be formed, for example, by a plastic envelope enclosing an air volume, having a neck 11 with an opening sealed by a plug.

[0103] The ears 50 are therefore set opposite one another for assembly of the structural modules 2 to one another. The flotation module 3 is configured so that assembly of the ears set opposite one another is obtained in whole or in part by insertion of the neck (oriented downwards) through the ears, while without the bung in place, followed by locking of the assembly by placing a bung that seals the opening of the neck. When the bung is locked, the ears are held between two stops formed by shoulders at the base of the neck and the shoulders of the bung. The flotation module can be made from a plastic material by injection blow molding or extrusion blow molding.

[0104] The floating modules 3' may also be embedded in structural modules 2' which may not be floating, as shown by way of example in Figure 8 or Figure 11. It should be noted that in such cases the compressive / tensile forces of the network are not transmitted in the floating modules 3' but in the vertical plane of the structure of the network.

[0105] It should be noted in FIG. 8 that the floating module 3' is embedded, for example by overmolding, in the structural module 2' that forms the beams of the sides of the pattern.

[0106] It will be noted in Figure 11 that the or each floating module 3' has, across the depth of its upper wall, intersecting grooves in which the beams of the lattice extend longitudinally so that the nodes of the lattice can be positioned at the intersections of the grooves.

[0107] It should be noted that the photovoltaic panels of the different rows of the float are fixed to the floating module via vertical supports 6 .

[0108] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the structural modules 2 of the floating support device 4 and the photovoltaic panels PV can be assembled together on the shore of a water body, while the structure of the network supporting the photovoltaic panels is gradually pushed along with the assembly. According to one embodiment, such assembly can be ensured without lifting means for placing the floating solar plant in water.

[0109] According to one embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the polygonal pattern of the grid is a polygon with N sides, such as a triangle, specifically an equilateral or isosceles triangle. Therefore, N structural modules 2′ (e.g., three structural modules assembled in a triangular configuration) are assembled at their ends, each forming a polygonal side of the grid with the polygonal pattern. For example, the structural modules 2′ are assembled at their ends via ears 50′, which are set opposite each other and crossed by locking members. In such an embodiment according to FIG. 8, each photovoltaic panel PV is supported by several separate structural modules 2′, rather than by only one structural module 2 as in FIG. 1. The floating module 3′ can be supported on all or part of the structural module 2′ via supports, specifically as shown in FIG. 8. According to another possibility, the panel is fixed to the floating module 3′.

[0110] According to one embodiment, vertical supports 6 are received on the structural modules 2, 2' to ensure the vertical connection of the photovoltaic panels PV with respect to the horizontal plane forming the structure of the network.

[0111] For example, the structural modules 2, 2' and the vertical supports 6 can be assembled by hook rib 7 / hook groove pairs. The hook ribs 7 (or hook grooves) can be carried by all or part of the tubes 20 of the structural modules, in particular during extrusion of the tubes 20. All or part of the vertical supports 6 can be constructed from a profile, and the hook grooves (or hook ribs) are obtained by extruding the profile.

[0112] According to one embodiment shown by way of example in Figures 9 or 10, the grid forming the structure of the network is obtained by assembling structural modules in the form of long beams, which means at least in part that the long beams have dimensions larger than the polygonal pattern. The structure of the network is thus substantially rigid, yet possibly characterized by some flexibility of the beams adapted to allow local subsidence when the structure is submerged only under vertical loads, and may require lifting means for submerging the structure. Generally, different orientations of the rows of panels R1, R2, R3 may be considered with respect to the pattern of the structure of the network, and Figures 9 and 10 feature, by way of non-limiting example, two possible orientations of the rows of panels other than those shown in the previous figures.

[0113] According to the present disclosure, the network structure has a planar seat, and the network structure is configured to be substantially planar when resting on a planar surface.

[0114] Preferably, the network structure has a planar seat, the seat having: directly on a horizontal surface, such as for example for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7. - indirectly hanging on a horizontal surface via a floating module 3', such as for example for the embodiments of Figures 8 and 11;

[0115] According to one embodiment, the floating solar plant comprises a first row of photovoltaic panels and a second row of photovoltaic panels followed by a third row of photovoltaic panels R3, wherein the second row of photovoltaic panels R2 and the third row of photovoltaic panels R3 each extend along the same longitudinal direction D and are spaced apart by structural modules 2 according to a transverse direction T perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0116] The structural modules 2 are configured to ensure spacing between the second row R2 of photovoltaic panels and the third row R3 of photovoltaic panels, and to be submerged to form a waterway Vn along the longitudinal direction D between the second row R2 of photovoltaic panels and the third row R3 of photovoltaic panels, allowing the circulation of floating service units U, and the connected structural modules 2 extend substantially along the horizontal plane of the structure of the network while being included in the horizontal plane so that compressive / tensile forces are transmitted in the structure.

[0117] Generally, the floating solar plant comprises an integer number N greater than 3 of rows of photovoltaic panels, the panels of each row of photovoltaic panels extending along a longitudinal direction L and spaced apart along a transverse direction T by structural modules forming the structure of a network extending substantially along a horizontal plane. Generally, water channels Vn are provided above the structural modules 2, 2' between the k-1th and kth rows of photovoltaic panels to allow maintenance of the panels of different rows 1 to N, where k is comprised between 2 and N.

[0118] According to one embodiment, the floating solar plant is equipped with a floating service unit U configured to circulate along a waterway Vn between a first row R1 of photovoltaic panels and a second row R2 of photovoltaic panels, possibly more roughly between the k-1th row and the kth row, where k is comprised between 2 and N.

[0119] According to one embodiment, the service unit U comprises a first outer shell C1 and a second outer shell C2 spaced apart from each other according to the spacing between two water channels Vn which, on the one hand, separate the first row R1 of photovoltaic panels from the second row R2 of photovoltaic panels, and, on the other hand, separate the second row R2 of photovoltaic panels from the third row R3 of photovoltaic panels.

[0120] The first shell C1 is configured to circulate a waterway between the first row R1 of photovoltaic panels and the second row R2 of photovoltaic panels, and the second shell C2 is configured to circulate a waterway between the second row R2 of photovoltaic panels and the third row R3 of photovoltaic panels.

[0121] The bridge portion 10 connects the first outer shell portion C1 and the second outer shell portion C2 to each other and is configured to be positioned across the photovoltaic panels PV of the second row R2 of photovoltaic panels when the service unit moves around in the longitudinal direction L.

[0122] Generally, when k is comprised between 2 and N-1, the first shell C1 can travel along the waterway between the k-1th row and the kth row, and the second shell C2 can simultaneously travel along the waterway between the kth row and the k+1th row of photovoltaic panels.

[0123] It should be noted that the bridge section 10 may be provided with a window F that provides access for workers present on the bridge section 10 to the photovoltaic panel PV positioned below the bridge section.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the floating unit is configured to travel along the waterway above the structural module 2;2' connected between the first row R1 of photovoltaic panels and the second row R2 of photovoltaic panels, and possibly along the waterway above the structural module 2;2' connected between the second row R2 of photovoltaic panels and the third row R3 of photovoltaic panels, and possibly more roughly between the kth row and the k+1th row of panels, while hanging on the structural modules 2, 2', causing local sinking of the structure of the network.

[0125] The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing such a plant, in which the floating modules 3, 3' and the structural modules 2, 2' are all or partly made up of metal, plastic or composite elements obtained by moulding or extrusion, or are obtained from an assembly of metal, plastic or composite elements obtained by moulding or extrusion.

[0126] Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing structural modules of a plant with pipes 20 and fasteners 21, in which the structural modules 2 forming a polygonal pattern of a lattice with a polygonal mesh of the network structure are obtained by assembling plastic pipes 20 with lengths corresponding to the sides of the polygonal pattern of the lattice with a polygonal mesh, the pipes being set end to end by tubular plastic fasteners 21 at the intersections of the polygonal pattern and assembled by close welding between the inner / outer support surfaces of the fasteners 21 and the outer / inner support surfaces of the pipes 20 to form the structural modules.

[0127] Advantageously, the welding consists of an induction welding obtained by exposing a metallized ring Bm, provided as an intermediate between the inner / outer bearing surface of the fastener 21 and the outer / inner bearing surface of the tube 20, to electromagnetic radiation.

[0128] By way of example, Figure 14 discloses a cross-sectional view of such a fastener 21. Generally, the fastener may consist of a tubular body forming a deflection, e.g., at 60° in Figure 14, with at least two inner (or outer) bearing surfaces. A tube, e.g., a cylinder, has an outer (or inner) bearing surface nested within the bearing surface of the tubular body.

[0129] 14, two metallized rings Bm are present, which may be overmolded as inserts into the body of the fastener during injection molding of the fastener 21, for example overmolded over the two inner support surfaces of the fastener. These rings Bm are perforated / perforated to allow induction welding to be carried out.

[0130] To do so, the tube 20 is nested in the fastener 21, with the inner support surface of the fastener 21 overlapping the outer (tubular) support surface of the tube 20, so that the metallized ring Bm is positioned as an intermediate between the inner and outer support surfaces, and the assembly is then subjected to an electromagnetic field which causes the metallized ring to heat up to a temperature above the melting point of the plastic. A tight weld is obtained between the inner and outer support surfaces around the entire circumference of the tube, by melting the plastic through the perforations in the metallized ring Bm.

[0131] Advantageously, this manufacturing method can be carried out in the vicinity of the floating solar plant's grounding site, as it requires little equipment for carrying out the manufacturing. Advantageously, this allows the plant components to be transported as a kit essentially comprising the tubes (particularly with the hook ribs / grooves), the fasteners 21 and the vertical supports 6 in a disassembled state, which components can be easily moved, transported and stored thanks to their small bulk.

[0132] For example, when the structural modules are constructed from a polygonal pattern, specifically in the form of polygons such as equilateral triangles, all fasteners 21 can be identical with a 60° deflection and the tubes 20 are also identical, specifically with the same length, which is very advantageous.

[0133] The present disclosure also relates to a method for assembling such a plant, in which the structural modules 2 obtained by the manufacturing method are assembled by setting ears 50 protruding from the fasteners 21 opposite each other, some ears 50 being set opposite each other and crossed by locking modules 51 of the structural modules at the intersections of the polygonal pattern of the lattice of the network structure.

[0134] The present disclosure also relates to a method for assembling a plant according to the present disclosure, in which the structural modules 2; 2', possibly the floating modules 3; 3' and the photovoltaic panels PV are assembled together on the shore of a body of water, while gradually pushing the structure of the network supporting the photovoltaic panels as they are assembled.

[0135] The present disclosure also relates to a method for maintaining a plant according to the present disclosure, wherein maintenance of the plant is ensured thanks to a service unit U circulating in the waterways between the photovoltaic panels PV.

[0136] advantage The plant according to the present disclosure is advantageous compared to the plants learned from patent application WO 02 / 047999 or WO 02 / 047999, in which the performance of maintenance requires the floating capacity of the plant to take into account the applied load of one or several workers performing the maintenance. The structure of the network of plants according to the present disclosure has a lighter design and requires less material, in particular less plastic material, for its implementation.

[0137] The plant according to the present disclosure is advantageous compared to the teachings of US Pat. No. 5,699,999, since, according to at least one embodiment, the plant can be easily and quickly assembled from shore, for example, without the need for lifting means to place the plant in water.

[0138] Unlike U.S. Patent Nos. 5,999,023 and 5,999,023, the plant of the present disclosure does not require the network of tension cables to be substantially horizontal for its implementation, since the lattice of beams forming the structure of the plant according to the present disclosure can act in compression, unlike the cable structures of these predecessors.

[0139] The beam lattice structure of the plant according to the present disclosure extends substantially along a horizontal plane, the forces are contained in this horizontal plane, and therefore does not require U-shaped connections in each water channel to ensure the creation of a water channel while ensuring a change in the plane of the forces transmitted in the structure, unlike Patent Document 4 or Patent Document 5, which require U-shaped connections in each water channel.

[0140] The plant according to the present disclosure is advantageous compared to the teachings of US Patent No. 5,629,499, since the network structure has a planar seat that allows the structure of the network supporting the photovoltaic panels, specifically formed by the floating support devices, to be pushed gradually or by sliding as the structure is assembled on shore or land, unlike the network structure formed by US Patent No. 5,629,499, which has U-shaped connections that protrude below the surface of the floats of the panels' floating support devices, and these protruding connections prevent the floating support devices from hanging on the ground, while generating considerable friction that is not compatible with such a method of placing them in water.

[0141] According to an advantageous embodiment, the floating solar plant can be easily and quickly obtained by means of a kit comprising the three types of components, namely the fasteners 21, the tubes 20 and the vertical supports 60, in a disassembled state, which in particular has a small bulkiness, making it easy to store and transport. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 1. Floating solar power plant 10 Bridge section PV Photovoltaic Panels U Service units C1 and C2 C1, C2 Outer shell (1st and 2nd) L Longitudinal direction R1 First row of photovoltaic panels R2 Second row of photovoltaic panels R3 Third row of photovoltaic panels T transverse direction F Window (Bridge) The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 2. Structural Module 3 Floating Module 4. Floating Support Device 5. Coordination means (between floating support devices) 20 tubes 21 Fasteners 50 Ear portion (fastening means) 51 Locking member The embodiment of FIG. 8 2' Structural module 3' Floating Module 50' Ear (fastening means)

Claims

1. A floating solar plant (1) supporting photovoltaic panels (PV) obtained by assembling structural modules (2, 2') on a body of water and floating modules (3, 3') to form a floating network supporting said photovoltaic panels (PV), said floating solar plant (1) comprising: a first row (R1) of said photovoltaic panels (PV); a second row (R2) of said photovoltaic panels (PV); Equipped with the first row (R1) of photovoltaic panels (PV) and the second row (R2) of photovoltaic panels (PV) extend along the same longitudinal direction (D) and are spaced apart according to a transverse direction (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (D); at least the structural modules (2, 2') that ensure a spacing between the first row (R1) of the photovoltaic panels (PV) and the second row (R2) of the photovoltaic panels (PV) are submerged and configured to allow a floating service unit (U) to circulate along the waterway (Vn) above the structural modules (2, 2'); the structure of the floating network comprises an assembly of structural modules (2, 2') that are rigid or semi-rigid and are configured to act along two directions in the horizontal plane of the structure while resisting compressive and tensile forces to which the structure of the floating network is subjected, the structure of the floating network extends along a horizontal plane; the structure is formed by the assembly of the structural modules (2, 2') forming a grid of beams with a polygonal mesh extending along a horizontal plane, The beams of the grid replicate the polygonal pattern of the mesh, and feature openings configured to cool the photovoltaic panels (PV) are positioned above the structure of the floating network, the grid of beams forming the structure being submerged in place, or alternatively configured to be at least locally submerged under the vertical load of the floating service unit (U), and vertical supports (6, 6') ensure that the photovoltaic panels (PV) are kept out of water, while horizontal surfaces forming the structure of the floating network 1. A floating solar plant (1) comprising: a floating network structure (2, 2') having a planar seat and configured to be planar when resting on a planar surface, the floating network structure having a planar seat and configured to be planar when resting on a planar surface, the structure formed by the lattice of beams with a polygonal mesh received on the structural modules (2, 2') being configured so that the compression / tensile forces are transmitted in the structural modules (2, 2') while being included in the horizontal plane of the floating network structure.

2. 2. The floating solar plant according to claim 1, wherein the floating capacity of the floating solar plant (1) is configured to be fully submerged in a predetermined place with a predetermined water depth above the structural modules (2, 2') so that the structure of the floating network formed by the lattice of beams with a polygonal mesh extending along a horizontal plane forms a waterway extending along the longitudinal direction (D) between the first row (R1) of the photovoltaic panels (PV) and the second row (R2) of the photovoltaic panels (PV), the photovoltaic panels (PV) of the floating solar plant being maintained out of water by the vertical supports (6, 6'), and the structural modules (2, 2') forming the lattice of beams with a polygonal mesh extending along a horizontal plane are arranged below the floating modules (3, 3') to maintain the structure of the floating network fully submerged in a predetermined place.

3. The floating capacity of the floating solar plant is: the structure of the floating network formed by the grid of beams with a polygonal mesh extending along a horizontal plane is configured to be above water when not subjected to a vertical load other than the vertical load of the photovoltaic panels (PV); 2. The floating solar plant according to claim 1, wherein the structural modules (2, 2') are at least locally submerged under the vertical load of the floating service units (U) acting vertically on the structure of the floating network, and the photovoltaic panels (PV) of the floating solar plant are kept out of water by the vertical supports (6, 6') during the local submersion by the floating service units (U), and the floating capacity of the floating solar plant is configured such that, due to the local submersion of the structure, a worker, whether male or female, weighing between 60 kg and 150 kg, can walk on the beams of the structure of the lattice without his or her feet entering the water.

4. 4. The floating solar plant according to claim 1, wherein the structure of the floating network is obtained from an assembly of self-supporting floating support devices (4), each or at least most of the self-supporting floating support devices (4) supporting a photovoltaic panel (PV), the self-supporting floating support devices comprising the structural modules (2), the structural module (2, 2') of each of the self-supporting floating support devices (4) supporting a photovoltaic panel (PV), the structural module (2, 2') of each of the self-supporting floating support devices (4) extending beyond the photovoltaic panels (PV) along a transverse direction (T) so as to create the water channel (Vn) between a first row (R1) of the photovoltaic panels (PV) and a second row (R2) of the photovoltaic panels (PV).

5. 5. The floating solar plant according to claim 4, wherein the structural modules (2, 2') of each self-supporting floating support device (4) are configured from the grid pattern with a polygonal mesh, forming a polygon, and linking means (5) ensure fastening of the structural modules (2, 2') to each other and of the self-supporting floating support devices (4) to each other, and wherein the structural modules (2, 2') comprise tubes (20) forming respectively the sides of the polygons of the polygonal pattern, and the tubes (20) are assembled together by fasteners (21) at the intersections of the polygons.

6. 6. The floating solar plant according to claim 5, wherein the tubes (20) form several envelopes that tightly enclose air, and the seal is obtained by a tight weld between the fasteners (21) and the tubes (20), or the tubes (20) are filled with a material having a density less than that of water.

7. 5. The floating solar plant according to claim 4, when relying on claim 3, wherein the linking means (5) ensure fastening of the structural modules of the self-supporting floating support device to each other and comprise ears (50) protruding from the fasteners (21), some of the ears (50) being set opposite each other and crossed by locking members (51) to ensure fastening between the self-supporting floating support devices (4), wherein the structure of the floating network is configured to be above water and not completely submerged in place under the load of the photovoltaic panels (PV), but to be temporarily and locally submerged by deformation of the flexible ears (50) under the vertical load of the floating service units (U).

8. 8. The floating solar plant of claim 4, wherein the grid pattern with the polygonal mesh forming the structural module of each self-supporting floating support device is a triangle configured to support the photovoltaic panel (PV) or a diamond configured to support two of the photovoltaic panels (PV).

9. 2. The floating solar plant according to claim 1, wherein the polygonal pattern of the grid is a polygon with N sides, and N of the structural modules (2, 2') are assembled by their ends to form respectively the sides of the polygon of the grid with the polygonal pattern.

10. 10. The floating solar plant according to claim 9, wherein the floating modules (3, 3') are received in whole or in part on the structural modules (2, 2').

11. 4. A floating solar plant according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the structure of the floating network resulting from the assembly of the structural modules (2, 2') is non-floating per se, the floating capacity of the floating solar plant being ensured by the floating modules (3, 3') provided as elements separate from the structural modules (2, 2'), and wherein at least the photovoltaic panels (PV) of the first row (R1) of photovoltaic panels (PV) and / or the second row of photovoltaic panels (PV) are fixed to the floating modules (3, 3') via the vertical supports (6, 6').

12. 11. A floating solar plant according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the beams of the lattice are made up of tubes (20) having lengths corresponding to the sides of the polygonal pattern of the lattice and assembled together by fasteners (21) at the intersections of the polygonal pattern, and the floating modules (3, 3') are formed by the tubes (20) of the structural modules forming a tight envelope with fasteners (21) that encloses air tight or are filled with a material having a density less than that of water.

13. 13. The floating solar plant according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the floating service unit (U) is mounted and configured to circulate along the waterway (Vn) between the first row (R1) of photovoltaic panels (PV) and the second row (R2) of photovoltaic panels (PV).

14. The solar panel further comprises a third row (R3) of photovoltaic panels (PV) following the first and second rows of photovoltaic panels (PV), wherein the second row (R2) of photovoltaic panels (PV) and the third row (R3) of photovoltaic panels (PV) each extend along the same longitudinal direction (D) and are spaced apart by the structural modules (2, 2') according to a transverse direction (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the second row (R2) of photovoltaic panels (PV) and the third row (R3) of photovoltaic panels (PV) the structural modules (2, 2') that ensure the spacing between the photovoltaic panels (PV) are configured to be submerged and form a waterway (Vn) along the longitudinal direction (D) between the second row (R2) of the photovoltaic panels (PV) and the third row (R3) of the photovoltaic panels (PV), allowing the floating service units (U) to circulate, and the structural modules (2, 2') extend along the horizontal plane of the structure of the floating network while being included in said horizontal plane so that compressive / tensile forces are transmitted in said structure, The floating service unit (U) comprises: a first outer shell (C1) and a second outer shell (C2) spaced apart according to the spacing between two of the water channels (Vn) that separate the first row (R1) of the photovoltaic panels (PV) from the second row (R2) of the photovoltaic panels (PV) on the one hand, and the second row (R2) of the photovoltaic panels (PV) from the third row (R3) of the photovoltaic panels (PV) on the other hand, wherein the first outer shell (C1) a first shell (C1) and a second shell (C2) configured to circulate in the waterway between the first row (R1) of the photovoltaic panels (PV) and the second row (R2) of the photovoltaic panels (PV), and the second shell (C2) configured to circulate in the waterway between the second row (R2) of the photovoltaic panels (PV) and the third row (R3) of the photovoltaic panels (PV); a bridge portion (10) that connects the first outer shell portion (C1) and the second outer shell portion (C2) to each other and is configured to be positioned across the photovoltaic panels (PV) of the second row (R2) of photovoltaic panels (PV) when the floating service unit (U) moves around in the longitudinal direction (L); 14. The floating solar plant of claim 13, comprising:

15. 14. The floating solar plant according to claim 13, wherein the floating service unit (U) is configured to circulate along the waterway above the structural modules (2, 2') coupled between the first row (R1) of photovoltaic panels (PV) and the second row (R2) of photovoltaic panels (PV), while hanging on the structural modules (2, 2'), thereby causing local subsidence of the structure of the floating network.

16. 15. The floating solar plant according to claim 14, wherein the floating service unit (U) is configured to circulate along the waterway above the structural modules (2, 2') coupled between the first row (R1) of photovoltaic panels (PV) and the second row (R2) of photovoltaic panels (PV) and along the waterway above the structural modules (2, 2') coupled between the second row (R2) of photovoltaic panels (PV) and the third row (R3) of photovoltaic panels (PV) while hanging on the structural modules (2, 2'), thereby causing local subsidence of the structure of the floating network.

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