Offshore Solar Array SPAR Buoy Coupling Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore solar systems face challenges with high anchoring forces due to the use of large buoyancy bodies, which are expensive and uneconomical, and individual solar panels lack stability in wind and waves without sufficient coupling.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using SPAR buoys with a small waterline area and coupling them with a combination of rigid and soft connections, such as struts and ropes, to achieve stability and reduce anchoring forces, while allowing the solar systems to follow wave movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If large buoyancy bodies (pontoons) are used to provide sufficient buoyancy and stability, then the solar panel can be kept above waterline and remain stable, but enormous anchoring forces are generated which require expensive and uneconomically large anchoring systems
Solution Approach 1:
The solar array is divided into multiple individual solar arrays, each with its own buoyancy body. By spacing them apart and coupling them together, the system achieves stability through the collective arrangement rather than relying on a single large buoyancy body, thereby reducing anchoring forces while maintaining stability.
2Force
If individual floats are used to reduce anchoring forces, then anchoring forces are reduced, but the floats lack stability to keep the solar panel upright even in wind and waves
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual solar arrays are coupled together to form a collective structure. The coupling of several floats provides the necessary stability to keep solar panels upright in wind and waves, while each float maintains a small waterline area to reduce anchoring forces.
3Force
If SPAR buoys with elongated design are used, then waterline area is reduced and anchoring forces are minimized, but the solar arrays tip over easily in wave motion without sufficient coupling
Solution Approach 1:
SPAR buoys are coupled in groups of at least two, with coupling elements connecting adjacent buoyancy bodies. This collective arrangement provides the stability needed to prevent tipping in wave motion while maintaining the small waterline area characteristic of SPAR buoys that minimizes anchoring forces.
4Force
If solar arrays are spaced apart and coupled together, then anchoring forces are reduced and stability is achieved, but complex coupling structures are required to maintain constant distances between arrays
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling elements are designed to allow relative movement between buoyancy bodies while maintaining constant distance. This dynamic coupling enables the solar arrays to follow wave movements and adjust to varying sea conditions while preserving the structural integrity and spacing of the array.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces anchoring forces and maintains solar panel stability in varying sea conditions, enabling efficient and cost-effective deployment of offshore solar systems.
Implementation Method 1
The buoyancy bodies must generate sufficient buoyancy to permanently keep the solar panel above the waterline
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an offshore solar installation field comprising a plurality of solar installations (1, 1a, 1b, 1ba), each having a buoyancy body (2, 2a) and a solar panel (3, 3a), wherein the solar installations (1, 1a, 1b, 1ba) are spaced apart from one another and coupled to one another.