Offshore photovoltaic platform

Abstract

The invention relates to an offshore photovoltaic platform comprising at least one photovoltaic module held by a frame, wherein the frame comprises at least three fastening elements corresponding to three foundation elements installed in the bed of a body of water, configured for fastening the frame to the at least three foundation elements, wherein at least two of the at least three fastening elements are formed as tolerance fastening elements, wherein a tolerance fastening element comprises a positional tolerance compensating portion configured to enable a positional deviation between a position of the tolerance fastening element in the frame and the foundation element to be connected thereto to be compensated.

Description

[0001] Offshore photovoltaic platform

[0002] The invention relates to an offshore photovoltaic platform comprising at least one photovoltaic module held by a frame. Furthermore, the invention relates to an offshore photovoltaic park, a method for installing an offshore photovoltaic park, and a use thereof.

[0003] Nowadays, electrical energy is increasingly generated from so-called renewable energy sources. For example, solar radiation or the corresponding light energy can be converted into electrical energy using photovoltaic modules, and the kinetic energy of wind can be converted into electrical energy using a wind turbine. In particular, wind farms with multiple wind turbines and / or photovoltaic farms with multiple photovoltaic modules are increasingly being built.

[0004] The construction of wind farms and / or photovoltaic parks is increasingly taking place in offshore areas, such as the sea. While the space available for installing a photovoltaic park may be limited at an onshore location, there is usually sufficient space for installing such a park in an offshore area.

[0005] In shallow offshore areas (less than 10 m), a non-floating photovoltaic farm is constructed using a large number (more than 50) stilts embedded in the waterbed, spaced only closely apart (1 to 5 m). Due to the shallow water depth, the stilts can be precisely positioned on the waterbed. An offshore photovoltaic platform, comprising a frame with at least one photovoltaic module, can then be attached to the stilts installed in this way. In offshore areas with greater water depths (e.g., more than 10 m), it would be necessary to use foundation elements in the form of piles (which have a larger diameter) instead of stilts. Furthermore, a pile must be embedded in the waterbed with a (usually) greater embedment depth.Due to the greater water depth and / or the greater embedment depth, precise positioning of piles for a (non-floating) offshore photovoltaic platform is hardly possible in practice. Precise positioning refers to the positioning or installation of a foundation element exactly at the position specified in a plan.

[0006] Therefore, the current state of the art involves constructing floating or buoyant offshore photovoltaic parks in offshore areas with greater water depths. While this generally makes it possible to use offshore areas with greater water depths as installation sites for offshore photovoltaic parks, it has been found that the energy yield of a buoyant offshore photovoltaic park is reduced, especially compared to non-buoyant offshore photovoltaic parks.

[0007] This is primarily due to the water movement (e.g., waves, currents, etc.) to which a floating offshore photovoltaic platform is permanently exposed. Furthermore, the construction of floating offshore photovoltaic platforms is complex and therefore costly.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the invention is to create a possibility by which the energy yield of an offshore photovoltaic park is increased in offshore areas with greater water depths (e.g. greater or deeper than 10 m, preferably greater or deeper than 25 m, particularly preferably greater or deeper than 50 m (and less than 150 m)).

[0009] The object is achieved in a first aspect of the invention by an offshore photovoltaic platform according to claim 1. The offshore photovoltaic platform comprises at least one photovoltaic module held by a frame. The frame comprises at least three fastening elements corresponding (in terms of position) to three foundation elements installed in a body of water. The fastening elements are designed to fasten the frame to the at least three foundation elements. At least two of the at least three fastening elements are formed as tolerance fastening elements. A tolerance fastening element comprises a position tolerance compensation section. A position tolerance compensation section is designed to enable compensation of a position deviation between a position of the tolerance fastening element in the frame and the foundation element to be connected thereto.

[0010] By providing, in contrast to the prior art, an offshore photovoltaic platform with tolerance fastening elements which enable compensation of a positional deviation between the previously introduced foundation elements and the pre-assembled frames of the offshore photovoltaic platform according to the invention, the construction of a non-floating offshore photovoltaic park is made possible and thus the energy yield of the offshore photovoltaic park in offshore areas with greater water depths (e.g. greater than 10 m, preferably greater than 25 m, particularly preferably greater than 50 m (and less than 150 m)) is increased.

[0011] In particular, it has been recognized that a non-floating offshore photovoltaic park can be easily constructed even in offshore areas with greater water depths if the positional deviations that are almost unavoidable when installing foundation elements into a body of water (in particular a seabed) are compensated for by tolerance fastening elements arranged in the frame, each with at least one positional tolerance compensation section. The offshore photovoltaic platform according to the invention is intended for use in an offshore area, in particular a sea. In particular, an offshore photovoltaic platform according to the invention is installed (permanently and permanently) in a (specific) offshore area during intended operation, i.e., when the offshore photovoltaic platform according to the invention generates electrical energy.

[0012] The offshore photovoltaic platform comprises a frame or framework. The frame can have any shape, for example, triangular, circular, or oval. Preferably, the frame can be rectangular. For example, the frame can comprise corner elements, where two (adjacent) corner elements can be connected with a connecting element.

[0013] Preferably, the frame can be formed at least partially from a metal, in particular aluminum or steel. It is understood that other materials, such as plastic, fiber composite material, and / or the like, can also be used.

[0014] The frame is designed to hold or support at least one (rigid) photovoltaic module (also called a photovoltaic panel), in particular a plurality of photovoltaic modules. Solar cells are used to generate electrical energy, i.e. to convert light energy (usually sunlight) into electrical energy. The output of a single solar cell is relatively low. For silicon cells, this can typically be in the order of 5-20 watts (peak). To achieve greater output, several solar cells are usually processed into photovoltaic modules. These photovoltaic modules generally represent the "smallest" components of photovoltaic platforms. The photovoltaic modules can preferably be (almost) non-deformable. According to the invention, the offshore photovoltaic platform is designed for installation on at least three foundation elements. One foundation element is in particular introduced into the waterbed oranchored therein. A foundation element can be made of a metal, especially steel, and / or concrete.

[0015] The frame has at least three fastening elements. In particular, the number of fastening elements of the frame can correspond to the number of foundation elements to which the frame is to be attached. Furthermore, it is intended that the respective position of the fastening elements in or on the frame corresponds substantially (but not necessarily exactly) to the position or installation position of the foundation elements.

[0016] As described above, the precise installation of foundation elements, for example, by hammering and / or vibrating, i.e., the installation of a foundation element exactly at the planned installation position, is hardly possible in practice, especially in greater water depths. Especially with multiple foundation elements, it is unavoidable in practice that at least some of these foundation elements deviate from the planned installation position.

[0017] To nevertheless enable simple fastening of the pre-assembled offshore photovoltaic platform to foundation elements installed in this way, at least two of the three fastening elements (preferably all fastening elements) are designed as tolerance fastening elements. In particular, each tolerance fastening element has a position tolerance compensation section.

[0018] A positional tolerance compensation section enlarges the area in at least one direction in which the frame can be secured to the foundation element by the tolerance fastening element or a foundation fastening element corresponding to the tolerance fastening element. In particular, the positional tolerance compensation section can be formed such that a positional deviation of the foundation element (from the planned installation position and / or from the center of the tolerance fastening element) of between 0.05 m and 5 m (in at least one direction), preferably between 0.1 m and 1 m (in at least one direction), is permitted.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the offshore photovoltaic platform according to the invention, the frame can comprise at least four fastening elements corresponding (in terms of position) to four foundation elements installed in a body of water, configured to fasten the frame to the at least four foundation elements. In particular, at least three of the at least four fastening elements (preferably all fastening elements) can be designed as tolerance fastening elements.

[0020] It is understood that in further variants of the invention, additional fastening elements, in particular additional tolerance fastening elements, can be provided for additional foundation elements. By providing four or more tolerance fastening elements for a corresponding number of foundation elements, an even more secure fastening of the offshore photovoltaic platform according to the invention can be achieved.

[0021] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the offshore photovoltaic platform according to the invention, at least one of the at least two tolerance fastening elements can comprise a slotted hole as a position tolerance compensation section or can be formed as a slotted hole. In particular, with a slotted hole, a sufficiently secure fastening or fixation of the frame to a foundation element can be achieved by means of a screw connection. A slotted hole allows compensation of a described positional deviation in one direction, in particular in the direction of the center axis of the slotted hole. According to a further embodiment of the offshore photovoltaic platform according to the invention, a first slotted hole of a first tolerance fastening element of the frame can be arranged at right angles to a second slotted hole of a second tolerance fastening element of the frame. This makes it possible to perform tolerance compensation in different directions.

[0022] Furthermore, according to a further embodiment of the offshore photovoltaic platform according to the invention, the at least one photovoltaic module can be held in the frame such that an angle of between 5° and 85°, preferably between 15° and 75° (e.g., 45°), exists between a surface of the at least one photovoltaic module and a horizontal plane. The energy yield can be further increased by angularly orienting the at least one photovoltaic module. Preferably, a pitched roof structure with an east-west orientation can be provided. The energy yield of the offshore photovoltaic platform can be further improved.

[0023] In a further embodiment, it can be provided that the at least one photovoltaic module is held in the frame in such a way that the at least one photovoltaic module is rotatable about at least one axis. By holding the photovoltaic module rotatable about at least one axis, the photovoltaic module can be (better) aligned with respect to a light source (e.g., the sun). For example, a controllable actuator (e.g., an electric motor) can be provided for adjusting the photovoltaic module depending on the current position of the sun. The energy yield of the offshore photovoltaic platform can be further improved.

[0024] According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the offshore photovoltaic platform according to the invention, at least one foundation element of the at least three foundation elements can be a former

[0025] Foundation element of a former offshore wind farm facility.

[0026] A former offshore wind farm facility is, in particular, an offshore wind farm facility that is no longer operated as an offshore wind farm facility (particularly due to the expiration of the offshore wind farm facility's service life). A former offshore wind farm facility comprises a former foundation element on which an offshore wind farm facility is supported. Exemplary and non-exhaustive examples of wind farm facilities include a tower, a nacelle, a transformer, etc.

[0027] In particular, in a former offshore wind farm facility, the at least one wind turbine previously installed on the so-called former foundation element is removed. Preferably, the offshore wind farm facility is an offshore wind turbine with a wind turbine (comprising a tower, nacelle, etc.) as the wind turbine facility. However, it is also conceivable that, in variants of the invention, the former offshore wind farm facility is an offshore substation, an offshore measurement mast, and / or the like.

[0028] In particular, it has been recognized that the end of the service life of an offshore wind farm device, in particular of the wind turbine device supported by the foundation element, may be reached, but the foundation element may continue to be used, at least if the load to be carried can be reduced compared to the operation of the offshore wind farm device.

[0029] In particular, it has been recognized that an offshore photovoltaic platform is primarily subject to static forces. In comparison, an offshore wind turbine, in particular, is subject to (additional) dynamic forces, and thus significantly greater forces. This can result in a foundation element reaching the end of its service life with regard to supporting a wind turbine, but still being suitable for supporting other loads with lower acting forces, such as an offshore photovoltaic platform. In this case, it is not necessary to deinstall the former foundation element of the offshore wind farm structure and to reinstall a foundation element for the offshore photovoltaic platform. The effort and, in particular, the costs can be significantly reduced.

[0030] According to a further embodiment of the offshore photovoltaic platform according to the invention, at least one of the at least three foundation elements can be a pile, in particular a monopile. A pile has proven in practice to be an easy-to-install foundation element that simultaneously exhibits good load-bearing capacity. In variants of the invention, the foundation element can also be a different foundation, such as a jacket foundation (e.g., a jacket structure with so-called pin piles) and / or the like.

[0031] A further aspect of the invention is an offshore photovoltaic farm or an offshore photovoltaic system. The offshore photovoltaic farm comprises at least one previously described offshore photovoltaic platform. The offshore photovoltaic farm comprises at least three foundation elements corresponding to the fastening elements of the frame and installed in a body of water.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of the offshore photovoltaic farm, a damping element can be arranged in a region of a fastening element of the at least three fastening elements between the frame and at least one of the at least three foundation elements (in particular the surface of the foundation element). The damping element can in particular be made of an elastic material. For example, the material can be an elastomer, such as natural rubber or silicone rubber. It is understood that other elastic materials can be used. Preferably, a respective damping element can be arranged in each region of a respective fastening element of the at least three fastening elements between the frame and the respective foundation element.

[0033] By providing at least one damping element, movements can be reduced and, in particular, compensated for, particularly in all directions. The causes of movement can be, in particular, environmental loads acting on the foundation element and / or the offshore photovoltaic farm, such as water waves, water currents, wind, etc.

[0034] According to a further embodiment of the offshore photovoltaic farm, at least one support strut can be arranged between at least one of the at least three foundation elements and the frame. For example, two to three struts can be attached between the frame and each foundation element. This allows, in particular, an enlargement of the frame and thus an increase in the number of photovoltaic modules held or supported by the frame. The energy yield of the offshore photovoltaic farm can be increased even further.

[0035] According to a further embodiment of the offshore photovoltaic park according to the invention, the distance between two adjacent foundation elements can be at least 25 m, preferably at least 45 m (and, for example, at most 100 m). In particular, in an offshore photovoltaic park according to the invention, due to the at least two tolerance fastening elements, adjacent foundation elements can be spaced significantly further apart, so that, in particular, the number of foundation elements to be installed can be reduced.

[0036] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the offshore photovoltaic farm according to the invention, at least one of the at least three foundation elements (preferably at least two foundation elements) can be a former foundation element of a former offshore wind farm facility. As already described, a former foundation element refers to a foundation element that, prior to being used as a support element for an offshore photovoltaic platform, was already used as a support element in a former offshore wind farm facility for supporting at least one wind energy device. In other words, the former foundation element was initially introduced into the waterbed for another purpose.A former foundation element is in particular a reused foundation element for a purpose other than the original purpose, i.e. to support an offshore photovoltaic platform (new purpose) instead of the at least one wind energy installation (original purpose).

[0037] In particular, in the case of a former offshore wind farm structure, the wind energy equipment previously installed on the former foundation element has already been uninstalled, in particular after the end of the service life of the offshore wind farm structure has been reached.

[0038] According to a further preferred embodiment of the offshore photovoltaic farm according to the invention, the former foundation element can comprise at least one pre-installed electrical power connection. The electrical power connection can, in particular, be a medium-voltage connection. A pre-installed power connection refers, in particular, to a power connection that has already been used previously, in particular by a previously installed former wind energy installation that has now been deinstalled. In other words, a pre-installed electrical power connection of a former foundation element was already used to transmit electrical energy provided by the wind energy installation. This power connection can be reused in an offshore photovoltaic farm.

[0039] In particular, it has been recognized that a former foundation element may already have an electrical power connection to an electrical power transmission grid (in particular, an (internal) medium-voltage grid of the former offshore wind farm). The electrical energy generated by the at least one photovoltaic module (previously, for example, by a wind turbine) can be fed into a public power grid and / or another consumer via the electrical power transmission grid. The effort involved in installing an offshore photovoltaic farm can be reduced even further. It is understood that adjustments to the pre-installed electrical power connection can be made if necessary.

[0040] Alternatively or additionally, according to a further embodiment of the offshore photovoltaic farm according to the invention, the at least one former foundation element can comprise at least one pre-installed inverter. A pre-installed inverter means, in particular, an inverter that has already been used previously, in particular by a previously installed former wind turbine that has now been deinstalled. In other words, a pre-installed inverter of a former foundation element was already used to convert electrical voltage provided by the wind turbine. This inverter can be reused (possibly with adaptations) in an offshore photovoltaic farm. By using a pre-installed inverter (possibly with minor adaptations) instead of a newly installed inverter, the effort required for an offshore photovoltaic farm can be further reduced.It is understood that in variants of the invention, a new inverter can also be installed. The inverter can, in particular, be configured to transform DC to AC.

[0041] Preferably, the former foundation element can comprise at least one pre-installed ladder and / or at least one pre-installed landing platform and / or at least one pre-installed railing and / or at least one pre-installed path (for users). Such a pre-installed component refers in particular to a component that has already been used previously, in particular by a previously installed former wind turbine that has now been deinstalled. In other words, such a pre-installed component of a former foundation element already served a corresponding purpose, i.e., for landing, climbing, etc. This at least one component can be reused (possibly with adaptations) in an offshore photovoltaic farm. The effort involved in installing an offshore photovoltaic farm can be reduced even further.

[0042] A further aspect of the invention is a method for installing an offshore photovoltaic park, in particular an offshore photovoltaic park as described above. The method comprises:

[0043] Provision of at least three foundation elements embedded in a water body,

[0044] Providing an offshore photovoltaic platform, comprising at least one photovoltaic module held by a frame, wherein the frame comprises at least three fastening elements corresponding (in terms of position) to the three foundation elements introduced into a body of water, wherein the provision comprises in particular a provision of an offshore photovoltaic platform according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, and

[0045] Fastening the frame of the offshore photovoltaic platform to the at least three foundation elements using the at least three fastening elements.

[0046] The provision of at least three foundation elements installed in a body of water may comprise the installation of at least one of these foundation elements, for example, by vibrating and / or hammering. Alternatively or additionally, the provision of at least three foundation elements installed in a body of water may comprise the use of a (previously described) former foundation element. According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the provision of at least three foundation elements installed in a body of water may further comprise:

[0047] Uninstalling at least one offshore wind turbine from at least one of the installed (former) foundation elements.

[0048] In particular, it can be provided that after the end of the service life of an offshore wind energy facility, in particular an offshore wind turbine, the offshore wind energy facility is deinstalled. The (former) foundation element, in particular a monopile, can remain in the waterbed. In particular, already installed components of the former offshore wind energy facility, which are installed in or on the installed foundation element, can be reused or reused, such as an electrical power connection and / or an inverter and / or a ladder and / or a landing platform and / or a railing and / or a path.

[0049] Yet another aspect of the invention is a use, in particular a reuse, of a (former) foundation element introduced into a water bed after deinstallation of an offshore wind energy device from the foundation element as a support element for an offshore photovoltaic platform, comprising at least one photovoltaic module held by a frame. In particular, the offshore photovoltaic platform can be a previously described offshore photovoltaic platform and in particular the foundation element can be a previously described former foundation element.

[0050] The characteristics of offshore photovoltaic platforms, offshore photovoltaic parks, processes and uses can be freely combined.

[0051] In particular, features of the description and / or the dependent claims may be independently inventive, even if they completely or partially circumvent features of the independent claims, either alone or freely combined with one another.

[0052] There are now numerous possibilities for designing and further developing the inventive offshore photovoltaic platform, the inventive offshore photovoltaic park, the inventive method, and the inventive use. Reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to the independent patent claims and, on the other hand, to the description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows:

[0053] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an offshore photovoltaic platform according to the invention,

[0054] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an offshore photovoltaic park according to the invention with a further embodiment of an offshore photovoltaic platform according to the invention,

[0055] Fig. 3 shows a section of a schematic view of a further embodiment of an offshore photovoltaic park according to the invention with a further embodiment of an offshore photovoltaic platform according to the invention,

[0056] Fig. 4 is a schematic view of another embodiment of an offshore photovoltaic platform according to the invention, and

[0057] Fig. 5 shows a diagram of an embodiment of a method according to the invention. Similar reference numerals are used in the figures for similar elements. Furthermore, z denotes the vertical direction and x a horizontal direction.

[0058] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of an offshore photovoltaic platform 100 according to the invention. The offshore photovoltaic platform 100 is intended for installation in a non-floating offshore photovoltaic park.

[0059] The offshore photovoltaic platform 100 comprises at least one frame 102 and at least one photovoltaic module 104 held by the frame 102.

[0060] Preferably, the offshore photovoltaic platform 100 may comprise a plurality of photovoltaic modules 104 (only two photovoltaic modules 104 are shown by way of example and for clarity). The frame may preferably be formed from a metal (e.g., steel). A photovoltaic module 104 may comprise at least one solar cell (typically a plurality of solar cells) configured to convert the light energy incident on the surface of the solar cell into electrical energy.

[0061] As can be seen from Figure 1, the frame 102 can comprise at least three fastening elements 106 corresponding (in terms of position) to three foundation elements (not shown) installed in a body of water. The fastening elements 106 are configured to fasten the frame 102 to the at least three foundation elements.

[0062] At least two of the at least three fastening elements 106 are formed as tolerance fastening elements 108. A tolerance fastening element 108, preferably each tolerance fastening element 108, comprises a position tolerance compensation section 110. A position tolerance compensation section 110 is configured to enable compensation of a position deviation between a position of the tolerance fastening element 108 in the frame 102 and the foundation element to be connected thereto.

[0063] Position tolerance compensation section 110 particularly enlarges the area in at least one direction in which fastening of the frame 102 to the foundation element by the tolerance fastening element 108 or a foundation fastening element corresponding to the tolerance fastening element 108 is possible. In particular, the position tolerance compensation section can be formed such that a position deviation of the foundation element between 0.05 m and 5 m (in at least one direction), preferably between 0.1 m and 1 m (in at least one direction), is permitted.

[0064] In the illustrated preferred embodiment, at least one tolerance fastening element 108 of the at least two tolerance fastening elements 108 can comprise or form an elongated hole as a positional tolerance compensation section 110. As can be seen, both positional tolerance compensation sections 110 are elongated holes in the present embodiment. As can be seen in particular, a first elongated hole or the center axis of the first elongated hole can be arranged at right angles to the second elongated hole or the center axis of the second elongated hole.

[0065] Figure 2 shows a schematic (sectional) view of an embodiment of a (non-floating) offshore photovoltaic farm 220 according to the invention with a further embodiment of an offshore photovoltaic platform 200 according to the invention. To avoid repetition, only the differences from the previous embodiment are described below, and otherwise reference is made to the explanations regarding the previous embodiment.

[0066] The offshore photovoltaic park 220 comprises at least one offshore photovoltaic platform 200 and at least three foundation elements 222 corresponding to the fastening elements 206 of the frame 202 and inserted into the waterbed 230. As can be seen, a lower part of each foundation element 222 is embedded in or anchored in the waterbed 230.

[0067] By way of example, the three fastening elements 206 shown are formed as tolerance fastening elements 208, each with a position tolerance compensation section 210. It is understood that four or more fastening elements 206 can be provided.

[0068] As can be seen from Figure 2, the offshore photovoltaic platform 200 is in an assembled or fastened state. In particular, the offshore photovoltaic platform 200 is (permanently) fastened to the foundation elements 222 by means of a respective screw connection 226 and by means of the respective tolerance fastening elements 208. Here, the functionality of a position tolerance compensation section 210 can be seen in particular. A position tolerance compensation section 210, in particular in the form of an elongated hole, allows an arrangement (in particular displacement) of the screw connection 226 within the elongated hole such that the screw can engage with a counterpart in the foundation element 222, even if there is a positional deviation.

[0069] In particular, a foundation element 222 can be a pile, in particular a monopile. In other variants of the invention, another foundation, such as a jacket foundation and / or the like, can also be provided as the foundation element. The foundation element 222 can preferably be formed from steel and / or concrete.

[0070] The body of water 228, preferably a sea, can have a water depth 232 of between 10 m and 150 m at the installation site. The water depth 232 can be, for example, greater than 10 m, preferably greater than 25 m, particularly preferably greater than 50 m. Furthermore, the distance 224 between two adjacent foundation elements 222 can be at least 25 m, preferably at least 45 m, and, for example, at most 100 m.

[0071] Furthermore, a damping element 236 can optionally be arranged in a region of a fastening element 206 of the at least three fastening elements 206 between the frame 202 and at least one of the at least three foundation elements 222. As illustrated, a damping element 236 can be arranged, in particular, in each region of a respective fastening element 206 between the frame 202 and the respective foundation element 222. The damping element can preferably be formed from an elastomer. The transmission of movements of a foundation element 222, e.g., due to a current and / or waves, to the offshore photovoltaic platform 200 can be at least reduced.

[0072] Furthermore, at least one support strut 234 can be arranged between at least one of the at least three foundation elements 222 and the frame 202. As shown by way of example, preferably a plurality of support struts 234 can be attached between a respective foundation element 222 and the frame 202.

[0073] Figure 3 shows a section of a schematic view of another embodiment of an offshore photovoltaic farm 320 according to the invention with another embodiment of an offshore photovoltaic platform 300 according to the invention. To avoid repetition, only the differences from the previous embodiment are described below, and otherwise reference is made to the explanations regarding the previous embodiment.

[0074] For the sake of a better overview, only one

[0075] Fastening element 306 is shown in the form of a tolerance fastening element 308 with a position tolerance compensation section 310. The frame 302 is fastened to a foundation element 322 of the offshore photovoltaic park 320 via a screw connection 326 and by means of the tolerance fastening element 308.

[0076] The foundation element 322, for example a monopile, is in this case in particular a former foundation element 322 of a former offshore wind turbine. The former foundation element has already been installed or anchored in the waterbed 330 of the body of water, for example for more than 10 years, in particular between 15 and 30 years. In particular, the former foundation element 322 is being reused to (now) support an offshore photovoltaic platform 300. In particular, the former foundation element 322 may originally have been used to support an offshore wind energy facility. The offshore wind energy facility has been uninstalled, so that the foundation element 322 can be reused to (now) support an offshore photovoltaic platform 300 (instead of the previous offshore wind energy facility).

[0077] Preferably, further components of the former offshore wind power device can be reused, which are in particular pre-installed in or on the foundation element 322. Pre-installed means in particular that a corresponding component has already been used in or by the former offshore wind power device.

[0078] For example, the pre-installed electrical power connection 340 of the former offshore wind turbine device or the former foundation element 322 can be reused. In particular, the at least one (not shown) photovoltaic module can be electrically connected to the electrical power connection 340 (in particular a medium-voltage connection) via an electrical connection 346. The electrical power generated by the at least one photovoltaic module can then be passed on via the pre-installed power connection 340. Furthermore, for example, the pre-installed inverter 342 of the former offshore wind turbine device or the former foundation element 322 can be reused, in particular for converting the voltage generated by the at least one photovoltaic module. In particular, via a (pre-installed) power cable 348 orThe generated electrical energy can be supplied to a feed-in point (not shown) via a power cable, in particular a submarine cable, (and possibly other components), for example, to feed the generated electrical energy into a public grid and / or to make it available to at least one defined consumer (e.g., a hydrogen production plant). The inverter or another inverter, which can be arranged on the platform such that the photovoltaic modules are not shaded, can be configured to transform the generated DC voltage into AC voltage.

[0079] Alternatively and / or additionally, a ladder 344 of the former offshore wind turbine device or the former foundation element 322 may be reused. It is understood that other components of the former offshore wind turbine device or the former foundation element 322 may be reused alternatively or additionally, as already described.

[0080] Optionally, a damping element 336 can also be provided.

[0081] Furthermore, in the case of former foundation elements of former offshore wind turbines, an offshore photovoltaic platform with a frame without tolerance fastening elements can also be used. Thus, one aspect of the invention is the use, in particular reuse, of a foundation element installed in a body of water, such as foundation element 322, after removal of an offshore wind turbine from the foundation element as a support element for an offshore photovoltaic platform, comprising at least one photovoltaic module held by a frame. Such an offshore photovoltaic platform can have tolerance fastening elements, but is not required to do so.

[0082] Figure 4 shows a section of a schematic view of another exemplary embodiment of an offshore photovoltaic platform 400 according to the invention. To avoid repetition, only the differences from the previous exemplary embodiment are described below, and otherwise reference is made to the explanations for the previous exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, fastening elements have been omitted solely for the sake of clarity.

[0083] As can be seen from Figure 4, a plurality of photovoltaic modules 404 are supported by the frame 402, for example. In particular, the at least one photovoltaic module 404 in this exemplary embodiment is held or supported in the frame 402 in such a way that an angle 460 of between 5° and 85°, preferably between 15° and 75° (e.g., 45°), exists between a surface of the at least one photovoltaic module 404 and a horizontal plane. For this purpose, a support element 462 can be provided, in particular, which is connected to the frame 402 and allows an angular attachment of two adjacent photovoltaic modules 404.

[0084] Preferably, a pitched roof construction, in particular a gable roof construction, can be provided. When the offshore photovoltaic platform 400 is attached, the gable roof construction can have an east-west orientation, i.e., a first roof surface with at least one first photovoltaic module 404 can be oriented in an east direction, and the second roof surface with at least one second photovoltaic module 404 can be oriented in a west direction. In further embodiments (not shown), it can be provided that the at least one photovoltaic module is held in the framework in such a way that the at least one photovoltaic module can be rotated or adjusted about at least one axis during operation. By holding the photovoltaic module rotatable about at least one axis, the photovoltaic module can be better aligned with respect to a light source (e.g., the sun). In particular, appropriate tracking can be carried out.For example, a controllable actuator (e.g. an electric motor) can be provided to adjust the photovoltaic module depending on the current position of the sun.

[0085] Figure 5 shows a diagram of an embodiment of a method according to the invention. The method is used for installing an offshore photovoltaic farm, in particular an offshore photovoltaic farm according to Figures 2 and / or 3.

[0086] In a first step 501, at least three foundation elements are provided and embedded in a body of water. The provision of at least three foundation elements embedded in a body of water may include the insertion of at least one of these foundation elements, for example, vibrating and / or hammering. Alternatively or additionally, the provision of at least three foundation elements embedded in a body of water may include the use of a (previously described) former foundation element.

[0087] Particularly preferably, the provision of at least three foundation elements introduced into a body of water may further comprise deinstalling at least one offshore wind power device from at least one of the introduced foundation elements.

[0088] In a further step 503, an offshore photovoltaic platform can be provided, comprising at least one photovoltaic module held by a frame, wherein the frame comprises at least three fastening elements corresponding (in terms of position) to the three foundation elements introduced into a body of water. Preferably, an offshore photovoltaic platform according to Figures 1, 2, 3, and / or 4 can be provided. Providing the offshore photovoltaic platform can, in particular, include pre-assembling the offshore photovoltaic platform in an onshore area. In particular, the fastening elements and the photovoltaic modules can be pre-assembled in an onshore area.The provision of the offshore photovoltaic platform may further comprise transporting the (pre-assembled) offshore photovoltaic platform to the installation site, i.e. to the installed foundation elements, for example using at least one watercraft.

[0089] In a step 505, the frame of the offshore photovoltaic platform is fastened (e.g., screwed) to the at least three foundation elements using the at least three fastening elements. Furthermore, the offshore photovoltaic platform may be electrically connected to a (pre-installed) electrical power connection and / or a (pre-installed) inverter.

[0090] HB / HB 231008WO

[0091] October 22, 2024

[0092] List of reference symbols

[0093] 100 photovoltaic platforms

[0094] 102 frames

[0095] 104 photovoltaic modules

[0096] 106 fasteners

[0097] 108 Tolerance fastener

[0098] 110 Position tolerance compensation section

[0099] 200 photovoltaic platform

[0100] 202 frames

[0101] 206 Fastener

[0102] 208 Tolerance fastener

[0103] 210 Position tolerance compensation section

[0104] 220 photovoltaic park

[0105] 222 Foundation element

[0106] 224 distance

[0107] 226 screw connection

[0108] 228 bodies of water

[0109] 230 Waterbed

[0110] 232 water depth

[0111] 234 support strut

[0112] 236 Damping element

[0113] 300 photovoltaic platform

[0114] 302 frames

[0115] 306 Fastener

[0116] 308 Tolerance fastener

[0117] 310 Position tolerance compensation section

[0118] 320 photovoltaic park

[0119] 322 Foundation element

[0120] 326 Screw connection 330 Water bottom

[0121] 336 Damping element

[0122] 340 power connection

[0123] 342 Inverter 344 Conductor

[0124] 346 connection

[0125] 348 power cables

[0126] 350 opening

[0127] 400 Photovoltaic platform 402 Frame

[0128] 404 photovoltaic module

[0129] 460 angle

[0130] 462 support element

Claims

October 22, 2024 Patent claims 1. Offshore photovoltaic platform, comprising: at least one photovoltaic module held by a frame, characterized in that the frame comprises at least three fastening elements corresponding to three foundation elements introduced into a body of water, designed to fasten the frame to the at least three foundation elements, wherein at least two of the at least three fastening elements are formed as tolerance fastening elements, wherein a tolerance fastening element has a Position tolerance compensation section configured to enable compensation of a positional deviation between a position of the tolerance fastening element in the frame and the foundation element to be connected thereto.

2. Offshore photovoltaic platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame comprises at least four fastening elements corresponding to four foundation elements introduced into a body of water, arranged to fasten the frame to the at least four foundation elements, wherein in particular at least three of the at least four fastening elements are formed as tolerance fastening elements.

3. Offshore photovoltaic platform according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one tolerance fastening element of the at least two tolerance fastening elements comprises an elongated hole as a position tolerance compensation section.

4. Offshore photovoltaic platform according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one photovoltaic module is held in the frame in such a way that there is an angle between 5° and 85°, preferably between 15° and 75°, between a surface of the at least one photovoltaic module and a horizontal plane.

5. Offshore photovoltaic platform according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one foundation element of the at least three foundation elements is a former foundation element of a former offshore wind power device.

6. Offshore photovoltaic platform according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one foundation element of the at least three foundation elements is a pile, in particular a monopile.

7. A non-floating offshore photovoltaic park, comprising: at least one offshore photovoltaic platform according to one of the preceding claims, and at least three foundation elements corresponding to the fastening elements of the frame and inserted into a body of water.

8. Offshore photovoltaic park according to claim 7, characterized in that a damping element is arranged in a region of a fastening element of the at least three fastening elements between the frame and at least one of the at least three foundation elements.

9. Offshore photovoltaic park according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least one support strut is arranged between at least one of the at least three foundation elements and the frame.

10. Offshore photovoltaic park according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the distance between two adjacent foundation elements is at least 25 m, preferably at least 45 m.

11. Offshore photovoltaic park according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 10, characterized in that at least one foundation element of the at least three foundation elements is a former foundation element of a former offshore wind power device.

12. Offshore photovoltaic park according to claim 11, characterized in that the former foundation element comprises at least one pre-installed electrical power connection, in particular a medium-voltage connection, and / or the former foundation element comprises at least one pre-installed inverter.

13. A method for installing an offshore photovoltaic park, in particular an offshore photovoltaic park according to one of claims 7 to 12, comprising: providing at least three foundation elements inserted into a body of water, Providing an offshore photovoltaic platform comprising at least one photovoltaic module held by a frame, wherein the frame comprises at least three fastening elements corresponding (in terms of position) to the three foundation elements introduced into a body of water, and Fastening the frame of the offshore photovoltaic platform to the at least three foundation elements using the at least three fastening elements.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the provision of at least three foundation elements introduced into a body of water further comprises: Uninstalling at least one offshore wind energy installation from at least one of the installed foundation elements.

15. Use, in particular reuse, of a foundation element introduced into a body of water after deinstallation of an offshore wind energy installation from the foundation element as a supporting element for an offshore photovoltaic platform, comprising at least one photovoltaic module held by a frame.

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