WO2018197717A1 - Floating photovoltaic panel and grid of such panels - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a floating photovoltaic panel and more particularly to an assembly comprising a photovoltaic panel and at least one float mechanically connected to the photovoltaic panel, characterised in that the at least one float comprises a plurality of blocks of expanded polymer material arranged in bulk in a flexible wall shaped so as to give the float a generally cylindrical shape.

Description

 FLOATING PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL AND MESHING OF SUCH

 SIGN

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

 The invention relates to a floating photovoltaic panel and a network of such photovoltaic panels, for example used in the production of renewable energy.

STATE OF THE ART

 The production of photovoltaic energy requires the installation of photovoltaic panels networks over large areas, typically in a proportion of the order of 4 hectares per megawatt produced. The installation of photovoltaic panels on the ground has drawbacks: land demand can, in some countries, lead to acquisition costs and / or high taxes, impacting the price of photovoltaic energy production.

WO 2012/072941 discloses floating photovoltaic panels to solve this problem. The floating photovoltaic panels comprise photovoltaic cells arranged on monobloc floats. A network of panels is made by connecting the panels of the network between them by cables or ropes on a body of water. The arrangement of the cables and the manufacture of monoblocks adapted to support the photovoltaic cells can be complex to achieve. Part of the manufacturing of the network is carried out in a different location from that of the launching of the network, requiring an expensive transport of the elements of the network manufactured before the launching. Finally, the various floating photovoltaic panels are typically separated, on the water, by a distance of the order of the width of a module. This distance makes it possible to avoid collisions between the various floating panels, under the effect of the constraints caused by the body of water. On the other hand, it contributes to reducing the energy produced per unit area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

 An object of the invention is to propose a floating photovoltaic panel structure and a network of such photovoltaic panels making it possible to meet high ecological and economic manufacturing constraints, to increase the density of photovoltaic cells of a network with respect to that of known networks and to manufacture a network of floating photovoltaic panels adapted to be deformed by the constraints of a body of water. Another object of the invention is to propose a method of manufacturing and / or setting up a network of photovoltaic panels floating simple economic and / or allowing direct manufacture of the network near a body of water.

 This object is achieved in the context of the present invention through an assembly comprising a photovoltaic panel and at least one float mechanically connected to the photovoltaic panel, characterized in that the float or floats comprise a plurality of blocks of expanded polymeric material arranged in bulk. in a flexible wall shaped to give the float a generally cylindrical shape.

 Advantageously, the expanded polymeric material is a recovery material.

 Advantageously, the set comprises several floats. Advantageously, the flexible wall of a float comprises two closures arranged at the ends of said float.

 Advantageously, the float or floats are mechanically connected to the photovoltaic panel by a link hooks and textile loops.

Advantageously, the photovoltaic panel comprises an opening and the float or floats are mechanically connected to the panel photovoltaic by one or straps surrounding a section of the cylinder and passing through the opening.

 Advantageously, the flexible wall is made of fibers.

 Another object of the invention is a network of assemblies, comprising at least one assembly comprising a photovoltaic panel and at least one float mechanically connected to the photovoltaic panel, the float or floats comprising a plurality of blocks of expanded polymeric material arranged in bulk. in a flexible wall shaped to give the float a generally cylindrical shape, the network being characterized in that each assembly is in contact with at least one other assembly and mechanically connected to at least one assembly by one or more straps surrounding the sections of two floats of different and adjacent sets.

 Advantageously, the sets of such a network are arranged online.

 Advantageously, the sets are arranged in rows and columns and the adjacent sets of the same line are connected in pairs by one or more straps surrounding the sections of two floats of different sets adjacent.

 Advantageously, the adjacent sets of the same line are connected in pairs by a single strap, the strap being arranged in the middle of each of the floats.

 Advantageously, the successive sets of the same column are mechanically free from each other.

Another object of the invention is a method of setting up such a network of assemblies, each set comprising a photovoltaic panel and at least one float mechanically connected to the photovoltaic panel, each float comprising a plurality of blocks of polymer material. expanded loose in a flexible wall shaped to give the float a generally cylindrical shape, the method comprising at least the steps of:

 arranging a plurality of assemblies forming a line on a solid support, each assembly being in contact and connected to at least one adjacent assembly, by at least one strap, surrounding the sections of two adjacent floats of two sets;

 arranging at least two connecting ropes on the surface of a body of water between anchored connection points;

 arrange set lines on the water, side by side, attaching the end of each line to a connecting line.

 Advantageously, the sets of a line are mechanically connected to or adjacent sets by surrounding the sections of two adjacent floats of two sets by a single strap, the strap being arranged in the middle of each of the adjacent floats.

 Advantageously, the sets of a line are mechanically connected to or adjacent sets by surrounding the sections of two adjacent floats of two sets by at least two straps arranged at the ends of the two adjacent floats. PRESENTATION OF THE DRAWINGS

 Other features and advantages will emerge from the description which follows, which is purely illustrative and nonlimiting, and should be read in conjunction with the appended figures, among which:

 - Figure 1 schematically illustrates a photovoltaic panel floating in a top view;

 - Figure 2 schematically illustrates a section of a floating photovoltaic panel;

 - Figure 3 schematically illustrates a network of three photovoltaic panels floating;

- Figure 4 schematically illustrates a network of three floating photovoltaic panels; - Figure 5 schematically illustrates a network of floating photovoltaic panels;

 FIG. 6 illustrates a method of setting up a network of floating photovoltaic panels;

 - Figure 7 illustrates a launch of part of a network of floating photovoltaic panels;

 FIG. 8 illustrates a method of setting up a network of floating photovoltaic panels. DEFINITIONS

 The term "in contact" refers to the ability of two floats to be directly contiguous when the body of water on which a photovoltaic panel network is floating is at rest and / or in a stationary state.

 The term "set" refers to a floating photovoltaic panel, that is to say an assembly comprising a photovoltaic panel and one or more floats.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

 FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a floating photovoltaic panel 1 or set 1, seen from above. The assembly 1 comprises at least one photovoltaic panel 2 illustrated by a dashed rectangle.

The assembly 1 also comprises at least one float 4, mechanically connected to the photovoltaic panel 2. Each float comprises a plurality of blocks of expanded polymeric material, preferably of recovery, arranged in bulk in a flexible wall shaped to give the float a general shape cylindrical. Figure 1 illustrates an arrangement of four floats, generally cylindrical in shape having rounded ends. The ends of the floats can also be tapered. Floats can be arranged under photovoltaic panel 2 according to several arrangements. For example, two floats may be arranged parallel along two opposite sides of the photovoltaic panel 2 (this arrangement corresponds to a catamaran arrangement). Alternatively, the floats can be arranged:

 under each of the edges of the panel 2, as illustrated in the panel in FIG. 1;

 - parallel and side by side, so as to form a plane under photovoltaic panel (corresponding to a float mattress) and / or

 under several edges of the panel 2: the shape of a single float can then be locally cylindrical under each of the edges of the panel 2. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a section of a floating photovoltaic panel or assembly 1, according to the plan illustrated by a broken line in Figure 1. The floats 4 are mechanically connected to the photovoltaic panel 2. The mechanical connection can be made by a link 8 hooks and textile loops (more commonly known by the trademark Velcro Velcro Industries company) and / or by a strap surrounding a section of the cylinder corresponding to the float and passing through an opening or an ear of the photovoltaic panel 2. The term "ear" denotes a perforated, reinforced and integral protrusion of an element, in this case the photovoltaic panel 2.

A float 4 comprises at least one flexible wall 6 whose material may be selected from a textile, a synthetic fiber and a film of organic material, for example polyethylene. When using a textile or a fiber, the wall may optionally be coated with a waterproofing material, such as PVC, or more generally a polymeric material. The material of the blocks 7 and the number of blocks 7 allow a float to have a sufficiently low density so that the assembly 1 can float on a body of water. The materials used to form a block may be selected from expanded polystyrene beads, pieces of expanded polystyrene. The material or materials of these blocks may be selected from recovery products.

 Thus, the use of expanded polymer blocks, the gaseous phase of which is maintained in the material hermetically, allows the use of a wider range of materials to manufacture the wall of the float. In particular, the material of the flexible wall 6 is not necessarily waterproof. Recovery materials can thus also be used to manufacture the flexible wall 6.

 The flexible wall or walls 6 may be closed at the ends of the float. The closures 16 make it possible to contain the blocks of expanded polymer 7 inside the flexible wall 6. The closures 16 may be mechanical or made by welding or gluing.

Figure 3 schematically illustrates a network of three sets 1, arranged in line. A set 1 is in contact with at least one other set 1. The contact between two adjacent sets is made via a contact between the floats 4 of each set. A gap e between the edge of a float and the edge of the photovoltaic panel 2, illustrated by a double arrow in Figure 3, is typically between 5 cm and 50 cm. This gap is adapted to a partial deformation of a float under the effect of the force or forces applied to the array of photovoltaic panels, for example caused by the deformations of a body of water.

One set may be connected to another adjacent set by one or more straps surrounding the sections of two floats of adjacent different sets. An assembly 1 can also be mechanically connected to another assembly 1 by a connection or a articulation allowing deformation partly independent of each of the connected floats. In this case, a strap 9 can surround the sections of two adjacent floats of two different sets, resulting in a parallel arrangement of the two floats. The strap is preferably arranged in the middle of the two floats. A strap 9 may be a rope or a plastic strap, for example polypropylene sheet.

Figure 4 schematically illustrates a network 10 of three sets 1, arranged in line. An assembly 1 is in contact with at least one other set 1. Two straps 9 connect two adjacent floats of two sets, the straps being arranged at the ends of the two adjacent floats. FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a network 10 of sets 1. The network of sets 1 comprises at least one row 17 of sets and / or one column 18 of sets. A set 1 of a line 17 is in contact with another set of the same line at the ends of the line or with two sets of the same line. Ends of a line 17 are fixed along connecting ropes 11. A connecting rope 11 may be arranged between two connection points 19, floating on the surface of the water plane and anchored in the water. Mooring lines 14 may be connected to the connecting rope 11 and / or to a photovoltaic panel, preferably arranged at the end of a column 18 and / or a line 17.

The adjacent sets 1 of the same line 17 may be connected in pairs by one or more straps surrounding the contacting sections of two floats of different sets 1 adjacent. The strap or the straps can be advantageously arranged in the middle of each of the floats. A line 17 and / or a column 18 may comprise between 2 and 100 sets 1, preferably between 15 and 25 sets 1. The length of a network of floating photovoltaic panels can be between 3 m and 170 m, preferably between 15 m and 40 m.

 Advantageously, in the same column 18 of sets 1, two adjacent panels may not be directly connected mechanically, that is to say that they may be mechanically free. They can be via floats from another column. In general, in at least one column of the network, the sets may not be directly connected to each other.

 A whole network may be replaced by a floating junction box. An electrical cable can connect the junction box to the ground where electrical treatment elements are arranged (inverters, transformer, etc.). FIG. 6 illustrates a method of manufacturing, launching and setting up a network of assemblies 1.

 During a step a) of forming a set line, a plurality of sets 1 are arranged by forming a line 17 on a solid support 1 2, close to the body of water, such as a table Trooping of. It is possible to manufacture the floats, assemblies and lines at the point of assembly and launching of the network 1 0.

During a step b) of partial displacement of a line, it is possible to draw a line of assemblies 1, as and when it is formed on the body of water. Such a step is illustrated in Figure 7 and Figure 8. A tether 14 may be attached to the end of a line 17 so as to move the line on the water. A boat, or a means of traction arranged on a bank different from the location of the launching, can make it possible to pull the mooring (s), in order to free a sufficient space on the solid support to continue the formation of a set line in step a). Step b) can be repeated in a loop with step a) until the end of the manufacture of a line 17.

 During, before or after steps a) and b), steps d) and e) can be implemented.

 During step d), connecting points 19 are anchored floating on the surface of the body of water. The connection points 19 can define the corners of a network of sets 1.

 During step e), at least two connecting ropes 1 1 are arranged on the body of water. Each connecting cord is fixed at one of its ends by a connection point 19. Two connection lines 11 may be arranged in parallel, so as to define the opposite sides of a network of sets 1 on the plane of water.

In step c), a line 17 is arranged on the body of water by fixing one end of the line on one connecting line and the other end of the line on another connecting line. A connection between the different lines is optional. The ends of the lines 17 may be fixed (or made integral) to these connecting ropes by straps and / or hooks and / or a second type of ears. FIG. 7 illustrates the displacement of a line 17 of assemblies 1 on the water plane 1 3. This displacement can correspond to a partial displacement, during step b): the line 17, or part of the line 17 , can be partially moved on the body of water, by pulling on a tether 14 connected to the end of a line 17, while continuing the manufacture of the line 17 on the solid support (repeated successions of step a ) and step b)). The line 17 can be manufactured as and when forming an assembly 1 on the solid support and attaching it to an already formed assembly, for example by a strap 9 surrounding the floats of two adjacent sets 1. Advantageously, a single strap, surrounding two adjacent floats, connects two sets. The displacement shown in the figure 7 may also correspond to the displacement of a line 17 of sets 1 whose manufacture is completed, so as to arrange the line 17 between two connecting ropes on the water. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the manufacture and / or implementation of a network 10 of assemblies 1 on a water plane 1 3. Four connection points 19 are anchored, so as to form a square or a rectangle on the surface of the body of water. Two connecting ropes 11 are arranged between connecting points 19, so as to form two parallel lines on the water. A line 17 of assemblies 1 is manufactured on the solid support 12 and on the water 13 as described in FIG. 7. It is then transported on the body of water, as illustrated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 8, and arranged between the two connecting ropes 1 1 by fixing the end of each line 17 to a connecting rope. Each line 17 is advantageously arranged in contact with another line 17 so as to form the network 10.

The proposed system and method is advantageously applied for the production of energy in cooperation with the protection of artificial reservoirs subject to evaporation by irradiation. The network elements are in contact effectively protecting the water reservoir from evaporation with respect to a light-transmitting network. The proposed system can be arranged on a lake, a reservoir, the sea, or for example in addition to a hydraulic dam.

Claims

1. Assembly (1) comprising a photovoltaic panel (2) and at least one float (4) mechanically connected to the photovoltaic panel, characterized in that the float or floats comprise a plurality of blocks (7) of expanded polymeric material arranged in bulk in a flexible wall (6) shaped to give the float a generally cylindrical shape. 2. The assembly of claim 1 comprising several floats. 3. An assembly according to one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the flexible wall of a float comprises two closures (16) arranged at the ends of said float. 4. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the float or floats are mechanically connected to the photovoltaic panel by a connection (8) hooks and textile loops. 5. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the photovoltaic panel comprises an opening or an ear and wherein the float or floats are mechanically connected to the photovoltaic panel by one or straps surrounding a section of the cylinder and passing through the opening or ear. 6. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the flexible wall is made of fibers. 7. Network (10) sets, comprising at least one assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that each set is in contact with at least one other set and connected mechanically to at least one assembly by one or more straps (9) surrounding the sections of two floats of different and adjacent sets. 8. The network of claim 7 wherein the sets (1) are arranged in line. 9. The network of claim 8, wherein the sets (1) are arranged in rows (17) and columns (18) and wherein the adjacent sets of the same line (17) are connected two by two by one or a plurality of straps (9) surrounding the sections of two floats of different adjacent sets. 10. Network according to one of claims 8 to 9 wherein the adjacent sets of the same line (17) are connected in pairs by a single strap, the strap being arranged in the middle of each of the floats. 1 1. Network (1) according to claim 10 wherein successive sets of the same column (18) are mechanically free from each other. A method of setting up a network (10) of assemblies (1), each set comprising a photovoltaic panel (2) and at least one float mechanically connected to the photovoltaic panel, each float comprising a plurality of blocks ( 7) of foamed polymeric material arranged loose in a flexible wall (6) shaped to give the float a generally cylindrical shape, the method comprising at least the steps of: - arranging a plurality of assemblies (1) forming a line (17) on a solid support (12), each assembly being in contact and connected to at least one adjacent assembly, by at least one strap, surrounding the sections of two adjacent floats of two sets;  - arranging at least two connecting ropes (1 1) to the surface of a body of water (13) between anchored connection points (19);  arranging lines (17) of assemblies on the body of water, side by side, by fixing the end of each line (17) to a connecting rope (11). The method of claim 12 wherein the sets of a line are mechanically connected to or adjacent sets by surrounding the sections of two adjacent floats of two sets by a single strap, the strap being arranged in the middle of each of the floats. adjacent. 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the sets of a line are mechanically connected to or adjacent sets by surrounding the sections of two adjacent floats of two sets by at least two straps arranged at the ends of the two adjacent floats.