A floating solar power unit and a solar power farm

Abstract

A floating solar power unit comprises a truss, at least two floating members which support the truss and a plurality of solar panels which are supported by the truss. The floating solar power unit is elongated having a length-to-width ratio which is larger than two. The floating members are located at a distance from each other in longitudinal direction of the floating solar power unit.

Description

[0001] wo 40831-vH

[0002] A floating solar power unit and a solar power farm

[0003] The present invention relates to a floating solar power unit , comprising a truss , at least two floating members which support the truss , a plurality of solar panels which are supported by the truss .

[0004] Such a floating solar power unit is known from EP 4 267 455 of the same applicant . The known floating solar power unit comprises a triangular shape and supports a plurality of solar panels . Adj acent floating solar power units are pivotably connected .

[0005] An obj ect of the invention is to provide an improved floating solar power unit .

[0006] This obj ect is accomplished with the floating solar power unit according to the invention which is characteri zed in that the floating solar power unit is elongated having a length- to-width ratio which is larger than two , preferably larger than three , more preferably larger than four and wherein the floating members are located at a distance from each other in longitudinal direction of the floating solar power unit .

[0007] An advantage of the floating solar power unit is that it may have relatively large dimensions whereas still being transportable through a wide range of waterway widths because of its relatively narrow width . For example , the dimensions may be such that the plurality of solar panels may have a capacity of 1 MW, whereas due to the length-to-width ratio the floating solar power unit can be manufactured onshore , for example at a shipyard onshore , and transported through most waterways to a location of fshore .

[0008] The solar panels together may form a rectangle as seen from above .

[0009] In an embodiment the floating members are elongated having a longitudinal direction which extends transverse with respect to the longitudinal direction of the floating solar power unit .

[0010] The floating members may be rectangular as seen from above . The floating members may be block-shaped . The floating members may have rounded edges and / or inclined sides at portions which are below water level in use in order to minimi ze drag . The distance between the floating members may be larger than the length of each of the floating members . In certain areas where typical wavelengths occur the distance between the neighbouring floating members may be larger than the length of each of the floating members in order to avoid undesired high forces on the floating solar power unit .

[0011] The distance between the floating members may be larger than 50% of the length of the floating solar power unit .

[0012] The distance between the floating members and the solar panels on top of the truss may be larger than 35% , preferably larger than 45% of the width of the floating solar power unit . It is advantageous when the solar panels including an associated electrical system and also at least a part of the truss is elevated above the water level when the floating solar power unit is in use in order to increase its li fetime .

[0013] In an embodiment the truss is elongated and continuous in the longitudinal direction of the solar power unit .

[0014] The truss may have a length-to-width ratio which is larger than two , preferably larger than three , more preferably larger than four .

[0015] The truss may have a height which is 15-35% of the width of the floating solar power unit .

[0016] In an embodiment the truss is a first elongated truss and the solar power unit is provided with a second elongated truss which extends parallel to the first elongated truss .

[0017] In order to increase the output of solar energy at least one upright side of the truss is provided with side solar panels . The side solar panels may extend in vertical direction in order to generate solar power in case of low sun .

[0018] Preferably, the width of the floating solar power unit is smaller than 33 m, since this allows to transport over water from most onshore locations in the world to of fshore locations . Alternatively, the width of the floating solar power unit is smaller than 43 m .

[0019] The length and width of the floating solar power unit are defined by the solar panels on top of the truss . For example , the solar panels on top of the truss may extend outside the truss .

[0020] The floating solar power unit may be anchored to a seabed by means of an anchor line , for example an anchor line that is fixed to at least one of the floating members .

[0021] The floating solar power unit may be provided with an energy storage system, for example a battery which may be supported by the truss or inside at least one of the floating members , as well . It is also possible that the floating solar power unit is provided with a trans former for elevating electrical voltage from the solar panels in order to ef ficiently transport electrical energy to a location onshore . Furthermore , the floating solar power unit may be provided with a dynamic cable for transporting electric current to and / or from the floating solar power unit , which dynamic cable may be mounted to at least one of the floating members and laying on the seabed or floating on the water .

[0022] The length-to-height ratio of each of the floating members may be larger than 1 , 5 or 10 . This means that in practice the depth of immersion of the floating members will be relatively small . Each of the floating members may comprise a hollow space . The hollow space may be used for being filled with hydrogen that is generated through the solar panels .

[0023] In a preferred embodiment at least the truss is located above the waterline when the floating solar power unit is in use , since this minimi zes the risk of corrosion of the truss .

[0024] The solar panels may form a gable roof . This provides the opportunity to orient the floating solar power unit such that a relatively high incidence of sun light during a day can be achieved, for example by orienting the floating solar power unit in east-west direction . The gable roof may have a ridge which extends in longitudinal direction of the floating solar power unit .

[0025] In an embodiment the floating solar power unit has two neighbouring floating members , preferably only two , which are located at a distance from each other in longitudinal direction of the floating solar power unit , which distance is larger than the width of the floating solar power unit .

[0026] The truss may be a three-dimensional truss . The truss may be supported by two intermediate supports , which in turn rest on the floating members , wherein the intermediate supports are preferably three-dimensional trusses .

[0027] The solar panels may be arranged in at least a row extending in longitudinal direction of the floating solar power unit .

[0028] At least a plurality of the solar panels may extend between the floating members .

[0029] The invention is also related to a solar power farm, which comprises a plurality of floating solar power units as described hereinbefore , wherein the floating solar power units are located next to each other such that longitudinal sides of neighbouring solar power units are facing each other, wherein the floating solar power units are interconnected .

[0030] Neighbouring floating solar power units may be interconnected through the respective floating members .

[0031] Neighbouring floating solar power units may be interconnected through links which are rotatably mounted to the floating members , for example through ball pivots .

[0032] The links may be rigid links .

[0033] In an embodiment each of the links has a length which is larger than 1 / 3 of the width of the floating solar power unit .

[0034] The invention will hereafter be elucidated with reference to very schematic drawings showing an embodiment of the invention by way of example .

[0035] Fig . 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a floating solar power unit according to the invention .

[0036] Fig . 2 is a side view and a plan view of a floating solar energy production plant which is composed of a plurality of floating solar power units as shown in Fig . 1 .

[0037] Fig . 1 shows an embodiment of a floating solar power unit 1 according to the invention . The floating solar power unit 1 is elongated and has a length-to-width ratio which is larger than three ; for example , it may have a length of 150m and a width of 30m, hence a length-to-width ratio of five . The floating solar power unit 1 is provided with a plurality of solar panels 2 . In the embodiment as shown in Fig . 1 the solar panels 2 lie in two planes which are angled with respect to each other and form a ridge at the centre of the floating solar power unit 1 . In other words , the solar panels 2 have a gable roof shape . The solar panels 2 form a rectangle as seen from above . Preferably, the maximum width of the floating solar power unit is smaller than 33m .

[0038] The solar panels 2 are supported by two parallel elongated trusses 3a, 3b, which may be made of stainless steel , carbon steel , aluminium, fibre-reinforced plastic ( FRP ) , a combination of steel and FRP, or the like . In this case , each of the trusses 3a, 3b has a square cross-section and is continuous in its longitudinal direction . Each of the trusses 3a, 3b is supported by two intermediate supports 4 , which in turn rest on two floating members 5 . The intermediate supports 4 serve to locate the trusses 3a, 3b at a certain height above water level when the floating solar power unit 1 is in use . The floating members 5 are located at a distance from each other in longitudinal direction of the floating solar power unit 1 .

[0039] Fig . 1 shows that the floating members 5 are elongated and block-shaped . A longitudinal direction of each of the floating members 5 extends transverse with respect to the longitudinal direction of the trusses 3a, 3b . The distance between the floating members 5 is larger than the length of each of the floating members 5 , in this case larger than 50% of the length of the floating solar power unit 1 .

[0040] Under operating conditions the solar panels 2 on top of the trusses 3a, 3b are located at a distance from the water line . The distance between the floating members 5 and the solar panels may be larger than 10% and preferably larger than 20% of the width of the floating solar power unit 1 .

[0041] Each of the trusses 3a, 3b may have a height of 10-25% of the width of the floating solar power unit 1 . One of the opposite upright sides of the trusses 3a, 3b may be provided with side solar panels . The side solar panels may extend vertically .

[0042] Fig . 2 shows a solar power farm 6 which is composed of a plurality of floating solar power units 1 as shown in Fig . 1 . The floating solar power units 1 are located next to each other such that longitudinal sides of neighbouring floating solar power units 1 are facing each other . The floating solar power units 1 are interconnected through rigid links 7 between the respective floating members 5 . The links 7 are rotatably mounted to the floating members 5 , for example through ball j oints . The links 7 may have a length which is larger than 1 / 3 of the length of each of the floating members 5 . Each of the floating members 5 is connected to the sea bottom through anchor lines 8 .

[0043] The distance between neighbouring floating solar power units 1 may be relatively large since each of the floating solar power units 1 has such a large shape that personnel will not move from one to the other floating solar power unit 1 for maintenance work quite often . Personnel may move between the floating solar power units 1 by a vessel that can moor at at least one of the floating members 5 . It is noted that each of the floating solar power units 1 is provided with a walking path 9 at the ridge of the solar panels 2 on top of the trusses 3a, 3b . In an alternative embodiment the walking path may be below the solar panels 2 .

[0044] The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings and described hereinbefore , which may be varied in di f ferent manners within the scope of the claims and their technical equivalents .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A floating solar power unit (1) , comprising a truss (3a, 3b) , at least two floating members (5) which support the truss (3a, 3b) , a plurality of solar panels (2) which are supported by the truss (3a, 3b) , characterized in that the floating solar power unit (1) is elongated having a length-to- width ratio which is larger than two, preferably larger than three, more preferably larger than four and wherein the floating members (5) are located at a distance from each other in longitudinal direction of the floating solar power unit (1) .

2. A floating solar power unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the solar panels (2) together form a rectangle as seen from above.

3. A floating solar power unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the floating members (5) are elongated having a longitudinal direction which extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the floating solar power unit (1) •4. A floating solar power unit (1) according to claim 3, wherein the floating members (5) are block-shaped.

5. A floating solar power unit (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the distance between the floating members (5) is larger than the length of each of the floating members (5) .

6. A floating solar power unit (1) according to claim 5, wherein the distance between the floating members (5) is larger than 50% of the length of the floating solar power unit (1) •7. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the floating members (5) and the solar panels (2) on top of the truss (3a, 3b) is larger than 35%, preferably larger than 45% of the width of the floating solar power unit (1) .

8. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the truss (3a, 3b) is elongated and continuous in the longitudinal direction of the floating solar power unit (1) .

9. A floating solar power unit (1) according to claim 8, wherein the truss (3a, 3b) has a length-to-width ratio whichis larger than two, preferably larger than three, more preferably larger than four.

10. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the truss (3a, 3b) has a height which is 15-35% of the width of the floating solar power unit ( 1 ) .

11. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the truss is a first elongated truss (3a) and the solar power unit (1) is provided with a second elongated truss (3b) which extends parallel to the first elongated truss (3a) .

12. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one upright side of the truss (3a, 3b) is provided with side solar panels.

13. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the solar power unit (1) is smaller than 33 m, preferably smaller than 43 m.

14. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length and width of the floating solar power unit (1) are defined by the solar panels(2) on top of the truss (3a, 3b) .

15. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floating solar power unit (1) is anchored to a seabed by means of an anchor line (8) , for example an anchor line (8) that is fixed to at least one of the floating members (5) .

16. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floating solar power unit (1) is provided with an energy storage system, for example a battery which may be supported by the truss (3a, 3b) or inside at least one of the floating members (5) .

17. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length-to-height ratio of each of the floating members (5) is larger than 1, 5 or 10.

18. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the floating members (5) comprises a hollow space.

19. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in use at least the truss (3a, 3b) is located above the waterline.

20. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the solar panels (2) form a gable roof.

21. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floating solar power unit (1) has two neighbouring floating members (5) , preferably only two, which are located at a distance from each other in longitudinal direction of the floating solar power unit (1) , which distance is larger than the width of the floating solar power unit (1) .A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the truss is a three- dimensional truss (3a, 3b) .

22. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the truss (3a, 3b) is supported by two intermediate supports (4) , which in turn rest on the floating members (5) , wherein the intermediate supports are preferably three-dimensional trusses.

23. A floating solar power unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the solar panels (2) are arranged in at least a row extending in longitudinal direction of the floating solar power unit (1) .

24. A floating solar power unit (1) according to claim 23, wherein at least a plurality of the solar panels (2) extend between the floating members (5) .

25. A solar power farm (6) , comprising a plurality of floating solar power units (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floating solar power units (1) are located next to each other such that longitudinal sides of neighbouring floating solar power units (1) are facing each other, wherein the floating solar power units (1) are interconnected .

26. A solar power farm (6) according to claim 25, wherein neighbouring floating solar power units (1) are interconnected through the respective floating members (5) .

27. A solar power farm (6) according to claim 26, wherein neighbouring floating solar power units (1) areinterconnected through links (7) which are rotatably mounted to the floating members (5) .

28. A solar power farm (6) according to claim 27, wherein the links (7) are rigid links.

29. A solar power farm (6) according to claim 26 or27, wherein each of the links (7) has a length which is larger than 1 / 3 of the width of the floating solar power unit (1) .

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