WO2018197964A1

WO2018197964A1 - A floating solar structure

Info

Publication number: WO2018197964A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/051582
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ravi Shankar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-04-25
Filing date: 2018-03-10
Publication date: 2018-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-25

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a field of an arrangement for mounting solar panels. The present disclosure envisages a floating solar structure that requires less maintenance, and is simple in configuration. The floating solar structure comprises a balloon, a floating media, a flexible solar panel, at least one anchor, at least one cable, and a support arrangement. The floating media is entrapped within the balloon. The flexible solar panel is securely disposed on the balloon. The at least one anchor is mechanically coupled with the balloon, and is disposed at an anchoring location. The at least one cable is configured to mechanically couple the at least one anchor with the balloon. The support arrangement is configured at an operative bottom of the balloon, and is further configured to securely hold the flexible solar panel on the balloon.

Description

A FLOATING SOLAR STRUCTURE

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of solar panels. BACKGROUND Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity and are disposed over a large area that is exposed to sunlight. The solar cells, of the solar panel, receive light and convert it into electricity. The efficiency of the solar panel depends upon the ratio of the amount of light it receives to the amount of electricity it generates. Hence, if the solar panel is misaligned, the amount of light received by the solar cells is reduced, thereby reducing the efficiency of electricity generated by the solar panels. Further, for aligning these solar panels, backtracking units and solar tracking units are required. These backtracking units and solar tracking units make the solar power generation system costly and complex. Also, the exposure of solar panels to dust, dirt, debris, grime, bird droppings, leaves, airborne contaminants, and the like, hampers the efficiency of the solar panel. In order to avoid any reduction in the amount of electricity generated, the solar panels are required to be cleaned frequently.

There is, therefore, felt a need to provide a floating solar structure which alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a floating solar structure, which requires less maintenance.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a floating solar structure, which is cost effective. Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a floating solar structure, which has simple configuration. Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure envisages a floating solar structure. The floating solar structure comprises a balloon, a floating media, a flexible solar panel, at least one anchor, at least one cable, and a support arrangement. The floating media is entrapped within the balloon. In an embodiment, the floating media is helium gas. The flexible solar panel is securely disposed on the balloon. The at least one anchor is mechanically coupled with the balloon, and is disposed at an anchoring location. The at least one cable is configured to mechanically couple the at least one anchor with the balloon. The support arrangement is configured at an operative bottom of the balloon, and is further configured to securely hold the flexible solar panel on the balloon.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the flexible solar panel constitutes the outer visible surface of the balloon or is integral with the outer surface of the balloon or is attached to the outer surface of the balloon.

In an embodiment, the floating solar structure further includes a cooling jacket. The cooling jacket is securely disposed on the balloon operatively between the flexible solar panel and the balloon.

In an embodiment, the support arrangement includes a pair of spaced apart rings interconnected via a plurality of wires. A first ring, of the pair of rings, is configured to securely hold the flexible solar panel on the balloon and a second ring, of the pair of rings, is configured to facilitate the connection of the at least one anchor with the balloon via the at least one cable.

In an embodiment, the flexible solar panel includes an array of solar cells. In another embodiment, each of the solar cells is coupled with each other by a coupling means to form the flexible solar panel.

In an embodiment, the shape of the solar cells is selected from the group consisting of a hexagon, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a trapezoid, and any geometrical or non- geometrical shape thereof. In an embodiment, the anchoring location is selected from the group consisting of a ground, a seabed, and a rooftop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

The floating solar structure, of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a floating solar structure, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a side view of a the floating solar structure of Figure 1 depicting a balloon, a solar panel, and a support structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the solar panel of Figure 2, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic representation of an application of the floating solar structure of Figure 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

Reference numeral References

100 Floating solar structure

102 Anchor

104 Support arrangement

106 at least one cable

108 Flexible solar panel

110 Balloon

112 Cooling jacket

114 First ring 116 Second ring

118 Wires

120 Loops

122 Anchoring location

124 Valve

126 Load

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, and are disposed over a large area that is exposed to sunlight. The solar cells, of the solar panel, receive light and convert it into electricity. The efficiency of the solar panel depends upon the ratio of the amount of light it receives to the amount of electricity it generates. Hence, if the solar panel is misaligned, the amount of light received by the solar cells is reduced, thereby reducing the efficiency of electricity generated by the solar panels. Further, for aligning these solar panels, backtracking units and solar tracking units are required. These backtracking units and solar tracking units make the solar power generation system costly and complex. Also, the exposure of solar panels to dust, dirt, debris, grime, bird droppings, leaves, airborne contaminants, and the like, hampers the efficiency of the solar panel. In order to avoid any reduction in the amount of electricity generated, the solar panels are required to be cleaned frequently.

The present disclosure envisages a floating solar structure. An embodiment of the floating solar structure, of the present disclosure is now being described with reference to the accompanying drawing. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

The floating solar structure, of the present disclosure, is configured to capture solar energy and convert the captured solar energy into electricity. An embodiment of the floating solar structure, of the present disclosure is now being described in detail with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 4. Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a floating solar structure, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates a side view of a the floating solar structure of Figure 1 depicting a balloon, a solar panel, and a support structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the solar panel of Figure 2, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 illustrates a schematic representation of an application of the floating solar structure of Figure 1.

The floating solar structure 100 comprises a balloon 110, a floating media (not shown in figures), a flexible solar panel 108, at least one anchor 102, at least one cable 106, and a support arrangement 104.

The floating media is entrapped within the balloon 110. In an embodiment, the floating media is helium gas. The flexible solar panel 108 is securely disposed on the balloon 110. The at least one anchor 102 is mechanically coupled with the balloon 110, and is disposed at an anchoring location 122. In an embodiment, the anchoring location is selected from the group consisting of a ground, a seabed, and a rooftop. In another embodiment, the at least one anchor 102 is an iron block, cement block, and the like. In another embodiment, the size and weight of the at least one anchor 102 is selected to counter the weight of the floating solar structure 100.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the flexible solar panel 108 constitutes the outer visible surface of the balloon 110 or is integral with the outer surface of the balloon 110 or is attached to the outer surface of the balloon 110.

The at least one cable 106 is configured to mechanically couple the at least one anchor 102 with the balloon 110. The support arrangement 104 is configured at an operative bottom of the balloon 110, and is further configured to securely hold the flexible solar panel 108 on the balloon 110. In an embodiment, the support arrangement 104 includes a pair of spaced apart rings (114, 116) interconnected via a plurality of wires 118. A first ring 114, of the pair of rings (114, 116), is configured to securely hold the flexible solar panel 108 on the balloon 110. A second ring 116, of the pair of rings (114, 116), is configured to facilitate the connection of the at least one anchor 102 with the balloon 110, via the at least one cable 106. In an embodiment, the at least one cable 106 is a metal cable. In another embodiment, the at least one cable 106 is a high tension cable. In an embodiment, at least one loop 120 is configured at an operative bottom of the second ring 116, of the support structure 104. The at least one cable 106 is secured in the at least one loop 120, thereby enabling the mechanical coupling of the balloon 110 with the at least one anchor 102. In an embodiment, the floating solar structure 100 further includes a cooling jacket 112. The cooling jacket 112 is securely disposed on the balloon 110 operatively between the flexible solar panel 108 and the balloon 110. The cooling jacket 112 is configured to maintain the temperature of the balloon 110 in order to prevent the balloon 110 from damage due to continuous exposure to high temperature. In an embodiment, a coolant valve (not shown in figures) is provided on the cooling jacket 112, which facilitates insertion of a coolant in the cooling jacket 112.

In an embodiment, the flexible solar panel 108 includes an array of solar cells 108a. In another embodiment, each of the solar cells 108a is coupled with each other by a coupling means 108b to form the flexible solar panel 108. In another embodiment, the coupling means 108b is at least one o-ring. In an embodiment, the shape of the solar cells 108a is selected from the group consisting of a hexagon, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a trapezoid, and any geometrical or non-geometrical shape thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible solar panel 108 includes hexagonal shaped solar cells. These solar cells 108a are configured to capture the sunlight irrespective of the Sun's movement from sunrise to sunset. The profile of the balloon 110, of the present disclosure, is designed to capture the optimum level of sunlight even during harsh weather conditions.

In an embodiment, the balloon 110 has a diameter in the range between 25 feet to 50 feet. In an exemplary embodiment, the floating solar structure 100 can be deployed in all terrains.

In an embodiment, a valve 124 is configured on the balloon 110. The valve 124 facilitates inflating and deflating of the balloon 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the valve 124 is a Wi-Fi enabled electronic high pressure valve. The Wi-Fi enabled electronic high pressure valve facilitates remotely monitoring and adjusting the pressure of floating media. In another embodiment, the Wi-Fi enabled electronic high pressure valve is remotely operated using a laptop, a desktop, a portable handheld device, a remote, a mobile phone, and the like. In an embodiment, an electrically conductive cable (not shown in figures) is provided for facilitating the transmission of electrical power, generated by the flexible solar panel 108, from the floating solar structure 100 to a remotely located load 126.

In an embodiment, the floating solar structure 100 comprises a power conditioning unit (not shown in figures). The power conditioning unit is electrically coupled to the flexible solar panel 108, and is configured to convert a direct current generated by the flexible solar panel 108 into an alternating current. In another embodiment, an inverter (not shown in figures) is used as the power conditioning unit.

In an embodiment, the remotely located load 126 is a power storage facility, a power grid, domestic appliances, street lights, electrically operated machineries, or any combination thereof.

The floating solar structure 100, of the present disclosure, is designed such that it eliminates the requirement of tracking and backtracking unit, thereby making the floating solar structure 100 cost effective and simple in configuration. TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a floating solar structure that:

• requires less maintenance;

• is cost effective; and · has simple configuration.

The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A floating solar structure (100) comprising: a balloon (110); a floating media entrapped within said balloon (110); a flexible solar panel (108) securely disposed on said balloon (110); at least one anchor (102) mechanically coupled with said balloon (110), and disposed at an anchoring location (122); at least one cable (106) configured to mechanically couple said at least one anchor (102) with said balloon (110); and a support arrangement (104) configured at an operative bottom of said balloon (110), and further configured to securely hold said flexible solar panel (108) on said balloon (110).

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1, which includes a cooling jacket (112) securely disposed on said balloon (110) operatively between said flexible solar panel (108) and said balloon (110).

3. The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said floating media is helium gas.

4. The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support arrangement (104) includes a pair of spaced apart rings (114, 116) interconnected via a plurality of wires (118).

5. The structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein a first ring (114) of said pair of rings (114, 116) is configured to securely hold said flexible solar panel (108) on said balloon (110).

6. The structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein a second ring (116) of said pair of rings (114, 116) is configured to facilitate the connection of said at least one anchor (102) with said balloon (110) via said at least one cable (106).

7. The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible solar panel (108) includes an array of solar cells (108a).

8. The structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said solar cells (108a) are coupled with each other by a coupling means (108b) to form said flexible solar panel (108).

9. The structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein the shape of said solar cells (108a) is selected from the group consisting of a hexagon, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a trapezoid, and any geometrical or non-geometrical shape thereof.

10. The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said anchoring location (122) is selected from the group consisting of a ground, a seabed, and a rooftop.

11. A floating solar structure (100) comprising: a balloon (110); a floating media entrapped within said balloon (110); a flexible solar panel (108), wherein said flexible solar panel (108) constitutes the outer visible surface of said balloon (110) or said flexible solar panel (108) is integral with the outer surface of said balloon (110) or said flexible solar panel (108) is attached to the outer surface of said balloon (110); at least one anchor (102) mechanically coupled with said balloon (110), and disposed at an anchoring location (122); at least one cable (106) configured to mechanically couple said at least one anchor (102) with said balloon (110); and a support arrangement (104) configured at an operative bottom of said balloon (110), and further configured to securely hold said flexible solar panel (108) on said balloon