Solar Float Unit

Abstract

To provide a solar float unit capable of easily mooring a float assembly at a prescribed position even if a water level changes.SOLUTION: A solar float unit 1 comprises a float assembly 4 to support a solar panel 2 and a mooring device 5 to moor the float assembly 4. The mooring device 5 is configured such that the float assembly 4 stays at a prescribed plane position when a water level changes. Specifically, the mooring device 5 comprises a first anchor 11, a second anchor 12, a mooring rope 9, and a locking part 4a provided in the float assembly 4. The first anchor 11 is provided outside the float assembly 4 in planar view. The second anchor 12 is provided outside the float assembly 4 in planar view and at the lower position than the first anchor 11. The mooring rope 9 has one end 9a connected to the first anchor 11 and the other end 9b connected to the second anchor. The locking part 4a is locked in the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the mooring rope 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar float unit for supporting a solar panel on water.

Background Art

[0002] In solar power generation for converting sunlight into electricity, solar panels (also referred to as solar cell panels, solar cell modules, etc.) are used. Solar panels have hitherto been mainly installed on the roofs, walls, and ground of buildings, etc., but in recent years, installation on water such as ponds and lakes that are idle has been progressing.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for improving power generation efficiency by slowly rotating a float aggregate formed by connecting floats in accordance with the position of the sun. This float aggregate is composed of a rotation center float portion and normal float portions provided around it. The normal float portions have a rectangular shape, and a rotation wire connected to the floats located at the vertices of the rectangle is wound up by a winch installed on land, thereby rotating. The rotation center float portion is fixed to the bottom of the lake via an axial wire whose length can be adjusted by a winch and a fixing portion. When the winch generates tension, the rotation center float portion and the axial wire are fixed in their positions and orientations and function as the rotation axis of the normal float portions. That is, the axial wire functions as a mooring wire.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, when the float assembly described in Patent Document 1 is installed in a lake, there is no need to change the length of the shaft wire as long as the water level (water surface height) does not change. On the other hand, when the float assembly is installed on a water surface with significant water level fluctuations, such as a dam or a retention pond, it is necessary to adjust the length of the shaft wire in accordance with the changes in water level. In other words, even if the water level changes, the float assembly can be kept in place by adjusting the length of the mooring wire with a winch.

[0006] However, with the conventional technology described above, the length of the mooring wire must be adjusted with a winch each time the water level changes, making the mooring and maintenance work required to keep the float assembly in place cumbersome.

[0007] In view of the above background, the present invention aims to provide a solar-powered float unit that can easily keep the float assembly in a predetermined position even when the water level changes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a solar float unit (1) for supporting a solar panel (2) on water, comprising a float assembly (4) having a plurality of floats (6) for supporting the solar panel, and a mooring device (5) for mooring the float assembly, wherein the mooring device is configured such that the float assembly remains in a predetermined planar position when the water level changes. Here, "remaining in a predetermined planar position" does not mean not changing the planar position at all, but rather means applying a force to keep it in a predetermined planar position.

[0009] According to this embodiment, when the water level changes, the float assembly is held in a predetermined planar position by the mooring device.

[0010] In the above embodiment, the mooring device (5) comprises a first anchor (11) provided on the outside of the float assembly (4) in a plan view, a second anchor (12) provided on the outside of the float assembly in a plan view and at a lower position than the first anchor, a mooring rope (9) having one end (9a) connected to the first anchor and the other end (9b) connected to the second anchor, and a locking portion (4a) provided on the float assembly and locked to the middle portion of the mooring rope in the longitudinal direction.

[0011] In this embodiment, since the first and second anchors are provided at different heights on the outside of the float assembly in a plan view, the horizontal distance over which the float assembly can be displaced when the water level changes is reduced compared to when they are provided at the same height. Thus, a mooring device capable of keeping the float assembly in a predetermined planar position can be realized with such a simple configuration.

[0012] In the above embodiment, the first anchor (11) is further away from the float assembly (4) than the second anchor (12) in a plan view.

[0013] According to this embodiment, the distance over which the float assembly can be displaced during a change in water level can be reduced compared to the case where the first anchor is positioned as close to the float assembly as the second anchor.

[0014] In the above embodiment, the first anchor (11) is provided on land, and the second anchor (12) is provided on the seabed.

[0015] The greater the height difference between the first anchor and the second anchor, the smaller the horizontal distance over which the float assembly can be displaced when the water level changes. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the distance over which the float assembly can be displaced when the water level changes can be reduced.

[0016] In the above embodiment, the locking portion (4a) includes a pulley (13) that rotatably engages with the mooring rope (9).

[0017] According to this embodiment, the sliding resistance of the locking part to the mooring rope is reduced, thereby preventing excessive load from being applied to the locking part when the water level changes.

[0018] In the above embodiment, in which the other end of the mooring rope is connected to a second anchor, the specific gravity of the mooring rope (9) is greater than 1.

[0019] Due to the underwater topography, it may be difficult to separate the second anchor, which is installed at a lower position, from the float assembly. In such cases, slack may occur in the mooring rope as the water level changes. In this configuration, the mooring rope sinks into the water, thereby eliminating the horizontal slack in the mooring rope. The mooring rope, which slackens in a catenary (vertically) direction, functions as a tension spring that biases the float assembly in the direction of pulling. Therefore, even if the length of the mooring rope becomes longer than necessary due to changes in the water level, the float assembly is more likely to remain in a predetermined planar position.

[0020] In the above embodiment, the solar float unit (1) further comprises a weight (16) attached to the mooring rope (9).

[0021] According to this embodiment, the horizontal slack in the mooring rope can be reliably removed by the weight, making it easier to keep the float assembly in a predetermined planar position.

[0022] In the above embodiment, the weight (16) is provided in the portion of the mooring rope (9) between the first anchor (11) and the locking portion (4a).

[0023] According to this embodiment, the amount of horizontal slack caused by the weight can be increased compared to the case where the weight is placed between the second anchor and the locking portion of the mooring rope. Therefore, the float assembly is more likely to remain in a predetermined planar position.

[0024] In the above aspect, the mooring device (5) includes a first anchor (11) provided outside the float assembly in plan view, a mooring rope (19) having one end (19a) connected to the first anchor and the other end (19b) connected to the float assembly (4), and a weight (16) provided on the mooring rope. The mooring rope has a length such that the weight is immersed in water or grounded on the bottom when the water level is low.

[0025] According to this aspect, a mooring device capable of holding the float assembly at a predetermined planar position can be realized with a simple configuration. Further, even when the water surface drops to a low water level, the weight is immersed in water or grounded on the bottom, so that excessive tension does not act on the float assembly. Therefore, damage to the float assembly is suppressed.

[0026] In the above aspect, when the water level is low, the float assembly and the weight are grounded on the bottom, and the float assembly is moored by the weight via the mooring rope, thereby suppressing the floating of the float assembly due to strong wind.

[0027] When the float assembly is grounded on the bottom, it is more likely to float when subjected to strong wind compared to when it is floating on the water. According to this configuration, the float assembly is moored by the weight grounded on the bottom via the mooring rope, so that the floating of the float assembly during strong wind is suppressed.

[0028] In the above aspect, the mooring device (5) includes a first anchor (11) provided outside the float assembly in plan view, and a mooring rope (19) having one end (19a) connected to the first anchor and the other end (19b) connected to the float assembly (4). The mooring rope has an elastic coefficient such that it extends due to the tension caused by its own weight when suspended.

[0029] According to this aspect, a mooring device capable of holding the float assembly at a predetermined planar position can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0030] In the above embodiment, in which the mooring rope has the other end connected to a float assembly, the specific gravity of the mooring rope (19) is greater than 1.

[0031] As the water level changes, slack can occur in the mooring rope. In this configuration, the mooring rope sinks into the water, thereby eliminating the horizontal slack in the mooring rope. The mooring rope, which slackens in a catenary (vertical) direction, functions as a tension spring that biases the float assembly in the direction of pulling. Therefore, even if the length of the mooring rope becomes longer than necessary due to changes in the water level, the float assembly is more likely to remain in a predetermined planar position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0032] According to the above embodiment, it is possible to provide a solar-powered float unit that can easily keep the float assembly in a predetermined position even when the water level changes. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0033] [Figure 1] Plan view of the solar float unit according to the first embodiment [Figure 2] Side view of the left half of the solar float unit shown along line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Side view of the left half of the solar float unit when the water level changes. [Figure 4] Side view of the left half of the solar float unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] Side view of the left half of the solar float unit according to the third embodiment. [Figure 6] Side view of the left half of the solar float unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 7] Side view of the left half of the solar float unit according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 8] Side view of the left half of the solar float unit according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 9] Side view of the left half of the solar float unit according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 10]Side view of the left half of the solar float unit according to the eighth embodiment. [Figure 11] Side view of the left half of the solar float unit according to the 9th embodiment [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0035] ≪First Embodiment≫ First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a plan view of a solar float unit 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the solar float unit 1 is a device that supports solar panels 2 on the water, and in this embodiment it is installed on the water surface of a pond 3. The solar float unit 1 is installed on the water surface and comprises a float assembly 4 that supports a plurality of solar panels 2, and a mooring device 5 for mooring the float assembly 4.

[0036] The float assembly 4 comprises a plurality of floats 6, a plurality of bridges 7 for connecting adjacent floats 6, and a connecting bridge 8 for linking adjacent bridges 7. The floats 6 are arranged in multiple rows both vertically and horizontally. Each float 6 supports one solar panel 2. In other embodiments, some floats 6 may not support a solar panel 2. Also, a float 6 may support multiple solar panels 2, or a plurality of floats 6 may cooperate to support a single solar panel 2.

[0037] Bridge 7 has a long, elongated shape that extends laterally. Bridge 7 is composed of multiple bridge components that are connected to each other. The multiple bridges 7 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction and their longitudinal ends are connected longitudinally by connecting bridges 8. In other embodiments, the longitudinal ends of adjacent bridges 7 may be connected by floats 6 that do not support the solar panels 2.

[0038] The mooring device 5 is a device for securing the float assembly 4 to the ground in a predetermined planar position, and includes a plurality of mooring ropes 9 extending in various directions from the outer periphery of the float assembly 4. In this embodiment, two mooring ropes 9 extend from each of the four corners of the float assembly 4 in the longitudinal and transverse directions. In other embodiments, one mooring rope 9 may extend diagonally from each of the four corners of the float assembly 4. Alternatively, the mooring ropes 9 may extend from an appropriate position on the edge of the float assembly 4 so as to be approximately perpendicular to the edge.

[0039] One outer end 9a of each mooring rope 9 is connected to a first anchor 11. Each first anchor 11 is located on land. The first anchor 11 can take any form as long as it can secure the mooring rope 9. The first anchor 11 may be, for example, a weight placed on land, or it may be embedded in the ground like a column. Each mooring rope 9 is secured to a locking part 4a provided on the outer circumference of the float assembly 4. All mooring ropes 9 have the same configuration.

[0040] Figure 2 is a side view of the left half of the solar float unit 1, shown along the line II-II in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the second anchor 12 is located on the seabed closer to the float assembly 4 than the first anchor 11 (more precisely, closer in the plan view shown in Figure 1). In other words, the first anchor 11 is further from the float assembly 4 than the second anchor 12 in the plan view. Also, the second anchor 12 is positioned lower than the first anchor 11. The second anchor 12 may be a weight placed on the seabed, or it may be constructed to be embedded in the seabed like a column. The other end 9b of the mooring rope 9 is connected to the second anchor 12.

[0041] The locking portion 4a provided on the outer circumference of the float assembly 4 includes a pulley 13 that rotatably engages with the mooring rope 9 and a support that rotatably supports the pulley 13. The pulley 13 of the locking portion 4a is locked to the middle of the mooring rope 9 in the longitudinal direction.

[0042] The mooring device 5 is configured as described above. This allows the mooring device 5 to keep the float assembly 4 in a predetermined planar position when the water level of the pond 3 changes. Here, keeping it in a predetermined planar position does not mean that the planar position does not change at all, but rather that a force is applied to keep it in the predetermined planar position.

[0043] Next, with reference to Figure 3, the operation of the solar float unit 1 during water level changes will be explained. Figure 3 is a side view of the left half of the solar float unit 1 when the water level changes. Figure 3 shows the water levels of three ponds 3: the full water level, the medium water level which is lower than the full water level, and the low water level which is even lower. Note that the solar panels 2, etc., are omitted from the illustration as appropriate. Note that the low water level refers to the minimum water level in design. The first anchor 11 is located higher than the full water level, and the second anchor 12 is located lower than the low water level.

[0044] As shown in Figure 3, the mooring rope 9 floats on the water surface. That is, the specific gravity of the mooring rope 9 is less than 1. If the specific gravity of the mooring rope 9 were 1 or greater, vertical slack would occur in the portion of the mooring rope 9 submerged in water. As the water level drops, the mooring rope 9 extends diagonally along the ground (slope) in the portion corresponding to the exposed ground. Therefore, the length of the mooring rope 9 from the pulley 13 to the second anchor 12 shortens as the water level drops, while the length of the mooring rope 9 from the pulley 13 to the first anchor 11 lengthens as the water level drops. As a result, even if the water level changes, the mooring device 5 keeps the float assembly 4 in a predetermined planar position.

[0045] Specifically, since the first anchor 11 and the second anchor 12 are installed at different heights on the outside of the float assembly 4 in a plan view, the horizontal distance that the float assembly 4 can displace when the water level changes is reduced compared to when they are installed at the same height. With this simple configuration, the float assembly 4 is kept in a predetermined planar position.

[0046] Furthermore, although the second anchor 12 is not shown in the plan view of Figure 1, as shown in Figure 2, the first anchor 11 is further away from the float assembly 4 than the second anchor 12 in terms of its planar position. In other words, the first anchor 11 is further away from the float assembly 4 than the second anchor 12 in a plan view. Therefore, the possible displacement distance of the float assembly 4 during water level changes is smaller than when the first anchor 11 is positioned as close to the float assembly 4 as the second anchor 12.

[0047] Furthermore, the first anchor 11 is located on land, while the second anchor 12 is located on the seabed. In other words, the difference in height between the first anchor 11 and the second anchor 12 is greater than when both anchors are located on land or on the seabed. The horizontal distance that the float assembly 4 can displace when the water level changes decreases as the difference in height between the two anchors increases. Therefore, with the above configuration, the distance that the float assembly 4 can displace when the water level changes is reduced.

[0048] Furthermore, as the water level changes, the mooring rope 9 slides against the locking portion 4a of the float assembly 4. In this embodiment, since the locking portion 4a includes a pulley 13 that rotatably engages with the mooring rope 9, the sliding resistance of the locking portion 4a against the mooring rope 9 is small. This prevents excessive load from being applied to the locking portion 4a when the water level changes.

[0049] ≪Second Embodiment≫ Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a side view of the left half of the solar float unit 1 according to the second embodiment. As with Figure 3, Figure 4 shows three water levels: full water level, medium water level, and low water level. The same reference numerals are used for elements that are the same as or similar to those in the first embodiment, and redundant explanations are omitted. The same applies to subsequent embodiments unless otherwise specified.

[0050] In this embodiment, the second anchor 12 is located further outward from the float assembly 4 compared to the first embodiment, specifically near the lower end of the slope (toe). The length of the mooring rope 9 is set to a length that eliminates horizontal slack when the water level is high.

[0051] As described above, the length of the mooring rope 9 from the pulley 13 to the second anchor 12 shortens as the water level drops. The amount of shortening of the mooring rope 9 at this point decreases as the second anchor 12 moves further away from the float assembly 4. In other words, the amount by which the length of the mooring rope 9 from the pulley 13 to the first anchor 11 can increase as the water level drops is shorter compared to the first embodiment.

[0052] Therefore, when the water level drops, the portion of the mooring rope 9 from the pulley 13 to the first anchor 11 sags vertically but cannot touch the water surface, and is stretched in the air along its entire length, forming a catenary curve. Consequently, the mooring rope 9 generates a larger tensile force compared to the first embodiment. As a result, when the water level drops, the float assembly 4 is held in a predetermined planar position by the mooring device 5 with a greater force than in the first embodiment.

[0053] Thus, the horizontal distance over which the float assembly 4 can be displaced when the water level changes decreases not only as the height difference between the two anchors increases, but also as the distance from the float assembly 4 to both anchors increases. In this embodiment, the second anchor 12 is positioned further away from the float assembly 4 compared to the first embodiment, thereby reducing the distance over which the float assembly 4 can be displaced when the water level changes.

[0054] ≪Third Embodiment≫ Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a side view of the left half of the solar float unit 1 according to the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the slope of the pond 3 is gentler than in the above embodiment. Therefore, the lower end of the slope is close to the float assembly 4, and the second anchor 12 cannot be placed at a position far from the float assembly 4 as in the second embodiment.

[0055] Thus, due to the underwater topography and other factors, it may be difficult to separate the second anchor 12, which is installed at a lower position, from the float assembly 4. In such cases, slack is likely to occur in the mooring rope 9 as the water level changes. Therefore, in this embodiment, the specific gravity of the mooring rope 9 is set to a value greater than 1. The mooring rope 9 is, for example, a wire rope. As a result, the mooring rope 9 sinks in the water, thereby eliminating horizontal slack in the mooring rope 9. In other words, the mooring rope 9 functions as a spring that biases the float assembly 4 in the pulling direction by slackening in a catenary shape in the water. Therefore, even if the length of the mooring rope 9 becomes longer than necessary due to changes in the water level, the tension of the mooring rope 9 makes it easier for the float assembly 4 to remain in a predetermined planar position.

[0056] ≪Fourth Embodiment≫ Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a side view of the left half of the solar float unit 1 according to the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the seabed topography is the same as in the third embodiment, and the second anchor 12 cannot be placed at a position far from the float assembly 4 as in the second embodiment.

[0057] In this embodiment, a weight 16 is provided at a portion of the mooring rope 9 that is constantly in contact with water, specifically at the middle portion of the mooring rope 9 in the longitudinal direction, between the first anchor 11 and the pulley 13. The weight 16 is fixed to the mooring rope 9.

[0058] By providing the weight 16 to the part of the mooring rope 9 that is constantly in contact with water, the weight 16 reliably eliminates the horizontal slack in the mooring rope 9, and the tension of the mooring rope 9 makes it easier for the float assembly 4 to remain in a predetermined planar position.

[0059] Furthermore, since the weight 16 is provided in the area between the first anchor 11 and the locking portion 4a of the mooring rope 9, the amount of horizontal slack in the mooring rope 9 that the weight 16 can accommodate is greater compared to the case where the weight 16 is provided between the second anchor 12 and the locking portion 4a.

[0060] ≪Fifth Embodiment≫ Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a side view of the left half of the solar float unit 1 according to the fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, the second anchor 12 is not provided on the seabed, and the mooring rope 19 is connected to the first anchor 11 at one end 19a, while the other end 19b is connected to the locking portion 4a of the float assembly 4. The locking portion 4a may be, for example, a fixing member having a hole for locking the other end 19b of the mooring rope 19.

[0061] The specific gravity of the mooring rope 19 is set to a value greater than 1. A weight 16 is also provided in the middle of the mooring rope 19 in the longitudinal direction. The length of the mooring rope 19 is set to be long enough so that the weight 16 is submerged in water when the water level is low and the slack in the mooring rope 19 is small. The weight 16 is fixed to the mooring rope 19 at a position far enough from the locking portion 4a of the float assembly 4 to prevent the mooring rope 19 from slackening when the water level is high and the slack in the mooring rope 19 is large. Therefore, the mooring rope 19 generates tension corresponding to the underwater weight of the weight 16, and this tension acts on the float assembly 4 in the extending direction. As a result, the float assembly 4 is kept in a predetermined planar position.

[0062] In this embodiment, the mooring rope 19, which has one end 19a connected to the first anchor 11 and the other end 19b connected to the float assembly 4, has a length such that the weight 16 is submerged in water when the water level is low. This allows a mooring device 5 capable of keeping the float assembly 4 in a predetermined planar position to be realized with a simple configuration. Furthermore, even when the water level drops to a low level, the weight 16 remains submerged in water, preventing excessive tension from acting on the float assembly 4. Thus, damage to the float assembly 4 is suppressed.

[0063] ≪Sixth Embodiment≫ Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a side view of the left half of the solar float unit 1 according to the sixth embodiment. In this embodiment, the differences from the fifth embodiment will be described. In this embodiment as well, the mooring rope 19 is connected to the first anchor 11 at one end 19a and to the locking portion 4a of the float assembly 4 at the other end 19b.

[0064] The mooring rope 19 is made of an elastic material and is elastically deformed to stretch under tension. The length of the mooring rope 19 extends in accordance with the tension. The length of the mooring rope 19 is set to a length such that no tension is generated or only a small amount of tension is generated when the water level is full. When the water level of pond 3 drops, the distance from the first anchor 11 to the locking portion 4a of the float assembly 4 increases. Therefore, the mooring rope 19 extends, and as the portion stretched in the air slackens, it extends further by the amount of slack. As a result, the mooring rope 19 extends along the water surface near the float assembly 4, applying an outward horizontal force to the float assembly 4 without applying an upward force. This keeps the float assembly 4 in a predetermined planar position.

[0065] Thus, in this embodiment, the mooring rope 19, which has one end 19a connected to the first anchor 11 and the other end 19b connected to the float assembly 4, has an elastic modulus such that it stretches due to the tension caused by its own weight when suspended. As a result, a mooring device 5 capable of keeping the float assembly 4 in a predetermined planar position can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0066] ≪Seventh Embodiment≫ Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a side view of the left half of the solar float unit 1 according to the seventh embodiment. In this embodiment, the differences from the fifth embodiment will be mainly described. In this embodiment as well, the mooring rope 19 is connected to the first anchor 11 at one end 19a and to the locking portion 4a of the float assembly 4 at the other end 19b.

[0067] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the low water level is set to the bottom of the pond 3. That is, when the water level is low, there is no water in the pond 3, and the float assembly 4 is not floating on the water surface but is in contact with the bottom (placed on the ground). The mooring rope 19 has a length that allows the weight 16 to be supported on the ground when the water level is low. The length of the mooring rope 19 should be set so that the slack is as small as possible when the water level is low. In this case, the low water level may be the minimum design water level for normal use, or it may be the minimum water level during maintenance of the solar float unit 1 or the pond 3 equipment, or during installation of the solar float unit 1, or other times when it is not in normal use. By setting the low water level to the bottom of the pond 3 in this way, the bottom of the pond when the water level is low can be used as land for a predetermined purpose, such as a work area or a ground.

[0068] On the other hand, when the water level is set to a low level at the bottom of the pond 3, the float assembly 4 is more likely to float up when subjected to strong winds compared to when it is floating on the water. In this embodiment, when the water level is low, the float assembly 4 placed on the ground is moored by a weight 16 via a mooring rope 19 with little slack, thus suppressing the float assembly 4 from floating up in strong winds.

[0069] ≪Eighth Embodiment≫ Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a side view of the left half of the solar float unit 1 according to the eighth embodiment. In this embodiment, the differences from the sixth embodiment will be mainly described. In this embodiment as well, the low water level is set at the bottom of the pond 3, and when the water level is low, there is no water in the pond 3, and the float assembly 4 is not floating on the water surface but is in contact with the bottom of the pond (placed on the ground). By setting the low water level at the bottom of the pond 3 in this way, the bottom of the pond when the water level is low can be used as land for a predetermined purpose, such as a work area or a ground.

[0070] The mooring rope 19 should be long enough so that at least a portion of it touches the ground when the water level is low. The length of the mooring rope 19 should be set so that the slack does not become too large when the water level is low. By setting the low water level and the length of the mooring rope 19 in this way, the float assembly 4 placed on the ground is moored by the mooring rope 19, which has a specific gravity greater than 1 and little slack, thus suppressing the float assembly 4 from floating up in strong winds.

[0071] ≪Ninth Embodiment≫ Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a side view of the left half of the solar float unit 1 according to the ninth embodiment. In this embodiment, the differences from the seventh embodiment will be mainly described. In this embodiment as well, the mooring rope 19 is connected to the first anchor 11 at one end 19a and to the locking portion 4a of the float assembly 4 at the other end 19b. On the other hand, the first anchor 11 is provided on the seabed outside the float assembly 4, rather than on land.

[0072] In this embodiment, the low water level is set to a position higher than the bottom of the pond 3. In the illustrated example, the weight 16 is in contact with the bottom when the water level is low. In other examples, the weight 16 may be in a position higher than the bottom when the water level is low. By preventing the weight 16 from touching the bottom even when the water level is low, slack in the mooring rope 19 is suppressed.

[0073] In other embodiments, the low water level may be set at the bottom of the pond 3. By setting the low water level at the bottom of the pond 3 in this way, the bottom can be used as land for a predetermined purpose, such as a work area or a ground, when the water level is low. In this case, as the water level drops, the weight 16 will touch the bottom before the water level drops. If the water level drops further, slack may occur in the mooring rope 19. For this reason, it is preferable to use a mooring rope 19 made of an elastic material that stretches in response to tension, as described in the sixth embodiment.

[0074] When the water level is set to a low level at the bottom of the pond 3, the float assembly 4 is more likely to float up in strong winds compared to when it is floating on the water. In this embodiment, when the water level is low, the float assembly 4 placed on the ground is moored by a weight 16 via a mooring rope 19 made of an elastic material, thereby suppressing the float assembly 4 from floating up in strong winds.

[0075] This concludes the description of specific embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments or modifications and can be broadly modified and implemented. Furthermore, the configurations shown in the above embodiments may be combined as appropriate. For example, the seventh and eighth embodiments show examples where the low water level is the seabed, with the same configuration as the fifth and sixth embodiments. On the other hand, in the first to fourth embodiments, in which the mooring device 5 is equipped with a pulley 13 provided on the float assembly 4, the low water level may be set to the seabed. Even in this case, the floating of the float assembly 4 during strong winds is suppressed by the weight of the mooring rope 9. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1: Solar Float Unit 2: Solar panels 4: Float aggregate 4a: Locking part 5: Mooring device 6: Float 9: Mooring rope 9a: one end 9b: Other end 11: First Anchor 12: Second Anchor 13: Pulley 16: Weight 19: Mooring rope 19a: One end 19b: Other end

Claims

1. A solar float unit for supporting solar panels on water, A float assembly comprising multiple floats supporting the aforementioned solar panels, The system includes a mooring device for securing the aforementioned float assembly, The mooring device is configured such that the float assembly remains in a predetermined planar position when the water level changes. The mooring device is a solar float unit comprising: a first anchor provided on the outside of the float assembly in a plan view; a second anchor provided on the outside of the float assembly in a plan view and at a lower position than the first anchor; a mooring rope having one end connected to the first anchor and the other end connected to the second anchor; and a locking portion provided on the float assembly and locked to the middle of the mooring rope in the longitudinal direction.

2. The solar float unit according to claim 1, wherein the first anchor is further away from the float assembly than the second anchor in a plan view.

3. The solar float unit according to claim 2, wherein the first anchor is provided on land and the second anchor is provided on the seabed.

4. The solar float unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking portion includes a pulley that rotatably engages with the mooring rope.

5. The solar float unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the specific gravity of the mooring rope is greater than 1.

6. The solar float unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a weight provided on the mooring rope.

7. The solar float unit according to claim 6, wherein the weight is provided in the portion of the mooring rope between the first anchor and the locking portion.

8. A solar float unit for supporting a solar panel on water, A float assembly comprising multiple floats supporting the aforementioned solar panels, The system includes a mooring device for securing the aforementioned float assembly, The mooring device is configured such that the float assembly remains in a predetermined planar position when the water level changes. The mooring device comprises a first anchor provided on the outside of the float assembly in a plan view, a mooring rope having one end connected to the first anchor and the other end connected to the float assembly, and a weight provided on the mooring rope, wherein the mooring rope is of a length such that the weight is submerged in water or touches the bottom of the water when the water level is low.

9. The solar float unit according to claim 8, wherein when the water level is low, the float assembly and the weight make contact with the bottom of the water, and the float assembly is moored by the weight via the mooring rope, thereby suppressing the float assembly from floating up due to strong winds.

10. A solar float unit for supporting a solar panel on water, A float assembly comprising multiple floats supporting the aforementioned solar panels, The system includes a mooring device for securing the aforementioned float assembly, The mooring device is configured such that the float assembly remains in a predetermined planar position when the water level changes. The mooring device comprises a first anchor provided on the outside of the float assembly in a plan view, and a mooring rope having one end connected to the first anchor and the other end connected to the float assembly. The mooring rope has an elastic modulus such that it stretches due to the tension caused by its own weight when suspended, and the solar float unit has an extension that is longer at low water levels than at high water levels, and that applies an outward reaction force to the float assembly due to elastic deformation at low water levels.

11. The solar float unit according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the specific gravity of the mooring rope is greater than 1.

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