FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to Renewable energy and particularly to the field of Solar
Energy Capturing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a compact and
improved device to support photovoltaic panels over variable canal widths.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Nonrenewable resources such as Coal, natural gas, Oil and Nuclear power are the
primary sources of energy for many parts of the world. Burning fossil fuels, however, is
harmful to the environment and fossil fuel supplies are limited and subjected to price
volatility. And the safe storage and disposal of radioactive waste, the potential for
radioactive contamination form accident, and the threat of nuclear proliferation are
serious challenges to the success of nuclear power. Renewable resources such as Solar
possess great potential because they are indigenous, nonpolluting and inexhaustible.
Growing worldwide demand for electricity, utilizing renewable energy sources such as
Solar power plays a dominant role in the world-wide effort to reduce Green house
gases; it is considered a clean energy and efficient sources of electricity to meet day to
day demand. Yet several obstacles have been undermining the expansion of this sector
and many of users are looking for new approaches that would make solar power more
practical and commercially attractive. Presently Solar Photo Voltaic panels are mounting
on Roof tops of houses to meet house need requirements, also solar forms are started
in the commercialization.
Traditionally Solar Photo Voltaic arrays are mounted on Roof tops of building and
Vineyard land. As the population and urban development expanding in the land-scare

countries, the initial installation of solar Photo Voltaic arrays on land becomes too
expensive. Solar Photo Voltaic industry is gearing up for rapid growth in entire world to
meet electricity demand.' The growth is expected to continue as long as the
development/improvement in the Photo Voltaic industry continues by maintaining
economy. The magnitude of initial capital investment in the Photo Voltaic project plays
a key role in deciding the financial feasibility of a solar Photo Voltaic project. Currently,
there is a wide focus on minimizing the initial capital investment in developing a solar
Photo Voltaic project.
The prior art patent US8, 256,169B2 discloses a Solar Panels support frame which
adapts collapsible folding support frame provided on flat roofs and free-filed grounds.
The prior art document US 2008/0283112 Al teaches a system for support columns and
cables suspended between the support columns, with the solar panels received by solar
panel receivers that are adapted to couple the cables.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a compact and improved
device to support photovoltaic panels over variable canal widths.
Another object of the invention is to propose a compact and improved device to support
photovoltaic panels over variable canal widths, which is enabled to withstand high
under panel loads, wind loads and live loads.

A still another object of the present invention is to propose a compact and improved
device to support photovoltaic panels over variable canal widths which acts as a
variable width canal top support structure.
A further object of the present invention is to propose a compact and improved device
to support photovoltaic panels over variable canal widths in which the total weight of
the device gets reduced due to optimization of the constituent structural components.
A further object of the present invention is to propose a compact and improved device
to support photovoltaic panels over variable canal widths, which can be fabricated and
erected maintaining lower inventory due to standardization of the device including
reduction in production cycle time.
Yet another object of the invention is to propose a compact and improved device to
support photovoltaic panels over variable canal widths, in which standard pipe sections
are used in fabrication to canal top support reducing thereby the welding requirement.
Yet further object of the present invention, is to propose a compact and improved
device to support photovoltaic panels over variable canal widths, which is enabled to
restrict excessive deflection of the device including stresses on each member under
service wind load condition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, there is provided a compact and improved device to support photovoltaic
panels over variable canal widths. The length of the device depends on the overall
width of the canal including the height of the device, which inter alia is minimum of
maximum flooded level of the long stretched canal.

Accordingly, there is provided a Canal top Solar Panel Support device for variable canal
widths, with walk way for panel installation including water washing of the panels
during the maintenance. The present invention will reduces huge amount of project
initial cost compared to conventional way of installation of the panels. The present
invention further reduces land usage in land scarce countries with high density of
population.
The proposed support device can be installed as an array of Solar Photo Voltaic Panels
over the canal stretches, with which the water bodies can be converted as a power
producing platform. The constituent members of the support device is enabled to
withstand the self-weight, panel weight, live loads, wind loads and combination of loads
and reduces the total weight of the device.
The inventive device further acts as a shield for canals to minimize evaporation of
valuable fresh water. Restricted penetration of sunlight in the fresh water bodies slows
down the growth of undesirable algae, and allows conserving the reservoir volume
while generating power.
The device does not require any intermediate support structure, and improves stability
against deflection due to. high wind loads condition of the particular location of the
canals. The constituent structural members of the device are selected considering
variable dead loads and live loads.
The device consists of two pairs of vertical columns erected on each side of bank of the
canal. The minimum height of the columns is the maximum flood level of the canal.
Each side of the canal has unequal heights of columns, wherein height of each column
can be adjusted based up on the tilting angle of the solar array. The tilt angle depends
upon the latitude of the location. The unequal pairs of columns are placed at a distance
equal to the width of the canal. The space between the longer column and smaller
column creates a space for mounting the solar panel array, the space

will also depending up on the number of rows of the each support device. The
inclination of the panel mounting array area, depends upon the latitude of the location
because certain angle may be more effective in capturing incident sunlight. The tilting
angle can be adjusted with the help of relative height of the columns. The smaller
column in each side can be connected by a first rigid member and similarly the longer
column in each side can be connected by a second rigid member having more stiffness
to withstand the solar panel load as well as excessive deflection due to high wind load.
These connecting elements are main load bearing beams of a canal top support device.
All the loads are transferred to foundation through the main beams. The connection
between the column and the beam is either a rigid permanent connection or a flexible
connection with bolt & nut arrangement. The inventive device also includes the
walkway arrangement useful for erection of the solar photovoltaic panels on site as well
as maintenance of the panels (i.e. periodical washing of panels for removal of dust
particle etc.). The walkway is an extension of the vertical elements which acts as
horizontal elements to with stand the live loads during maintenance of the panels. If
the width of the canal is small, the walk way may not be included for erection and
maintenance, wherein the washing can be done from the bank of the canal. In the
structural arrangement for obtaining stiffness, the connecting members have been
added to the main beams. In the structural arrangement, the entire loads are
transferred to ground through both the side columns. For controlling the deflection,
extra triangle stiffening members are added at both ends of the device. Alternate
arrangement of the connecting members in. the form of bracings allows uniform
distribution of loads, which provides rigidity of the structure.
The present invention makes use of a mathematical model and calculates the load
acting on the device based on the associated data to optimize for the least weight of
the device following the codal provisions and without compensating on the stability of
the device. This optimized design can be used for fabrication of the device.

The present invention provides an innovative configuration of the canal top support
device, which has the advantage of improved load stability. This device is applicable for
operation in the high wind zone. Due to the design simplification it becomes easy to
fabricate and erect the devices in site. From the erection point of view it will reduce
amount of inventory.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The accompanied drawings describe the invention in detail and illustrate the
features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention. Reference numerals are
used for locating the component of the system. The invention may be
readilyunderstood. and carried into practical effect based on the following
descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 shows an isometric view of Canal Top Solar Support device for mounting solar
Photo voltaic Panels according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows side view of the Canal Top Solar Support device of figure 1.
Figure 3 shows top view of Canal Top Solar Support device of figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
INVENTION
Figure 1 shows the overall isometric view of a Canal Top Solar Support device for
mounting solar Photo voltaic Panels in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention. The device comprises a first set of three steel

columns 1(a), 1(b), 1(c) of height relevant to a tilting angle of the panel, which
depends on the latitude of the location. The height of the small column 1(a) is the
minimum of the maximum flood levels of the canal. The small columns are placed over
a first side of a concrete pedestal. A second set of three columns 2(a), 2(b), 2(c) which
are of same height as that of first set of said three columns 1(a), 1(b), 1(c), are placed
over a second side of the concrete pedestal. The width of the two sides of the pedestal
is equal to the width of the canal. Each column is connected with another column of
same height located on other side of the pedestal, with beam members 3(a), 3(b), 3(c)
i.e. circular section. For example, beam 3(a) is connected to columns 1(a) & 2(a), beam
3(b) is connected columns 1(b) & 2(b) and beam 3(c) is connected to columns 1(c) &
2(c) either through permanent joining or flexible joining methods. Another option is to
prefabricate the supporting device and transport the same to the site and then mount
the device over the concrete pedestal. The main constraint in this method is, if the
width of the canal is more than 11 meters it is difficult to transport to site, in which
case device is to disassembled, transported, and re-assembled at site and mount on the
concrete pedestal. A plurality of bracing elements 5(a), 5(b), 5(c), 5(d) disposed
between the solar panel supporting device for orientation of the constituent members
for example, the beams & columns 1(b), 1(c), 2(b), 2(c) are shown in Fig:2. Pattern of
strut between the beams 3(b), 3(c) are shown in Fig:4 which shows the orientation of
the strut provided for additional stability of the device. Most of the sections in the struts
between the beams and the solar panel supporting beam is circular section.

A walk way is provided with the device for maintenance of the solar panels for periodic
cleaning as well as erection of the panels at site. The walkway 6 is shown in the
isometric view Fig:l, which consists of horizontal long beam 7 and stiffeners 8 for the
supporting the walkway plate. Obtaining the extra stability to the supporting walkway
incorporated extra stiffeners 8. In the walkway handrail 9 is incorporated for safety &
smooth walking of man while maintenance. In the invention for obtaining the overall
distribution of stresses and deflection, an extra short beam 10, which connects between
the walk way platform and the columns 1(a), 1(b) for maintain overall deflection of
support structure.
While the illustrative embodiments of the disclosure has been described above, it will be
recognized and understood that various modifications can be made to the embodiments
and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall
within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

WE CLAIM:
1. A canal top support device for mounting Photo Voltaic Solar panels of variable
canal width, the device comprising :
a first set of three columns (la, lb, lc) placed at a first side of a concrete
pedestal, the height of the columns (la, lb, lc) selected to match the tilting
angle of the solar panel, wherein the height of the small column (la) constructed
to be equal to the minimum of the maximum flood levels of the canal;
a second set of three columns (2a, 2b, 2c) having height same as that of said
first set of columns (la, lb, lc) placed over a second side of said pedestal,
wherein the width of said first and second sides of the pedestal is equal to the
width of the canal;
a plurality of beam members (3a,3b,3c) connecting each of the first set of
columns (la,lb,lc) disposed at first side of the pedestal and each of the second
set of columns (2a,2b,2c) disposed at the second side of the pedestal according
to the individual height of the columns; and
a plurality of bracing elements (5a,5b,5c,5d) provided between the beams and
columns (lb,lc,2b,2c,3b,3c).
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a walkway (6) which is formed of
horizontal long beams (7), a handrail (9), and a plurality of stiffeners (8),
wherein the walkway (6) is connected to the columns (la,lb) by a short beam
(10).

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the height of the columns is selected
to be proportionate to that of the walk way wherein the Center column height on
both sides of the canal is equal, and wherein the height of the last column of
both the sides of canal can be adjusted to suite with an optimal tilting angle or
latitude of the location of the canal.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of strut members, to
provide additional support to the array of solar photovoltaic panels.
5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the strut members are provided on the
load bearing beam elements.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of strut elements, for
transferring the load to the plurality of load bearing beam elements.

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a canal top support device for mounting photovoltaic
solar panels of variable canal width, the device comprising: a first set of three
columns (1a, 1b, 1c) placed at a first side of a concrete pedestal, the height of
the columns (1a, 1b, 1c) selected to match the tilting angle of the solar panel,
wherein the height of the small column (1a) constructed to be equal to the
minimum of the maximum flood levels of the canal; a second set of three
columns (2a, 2b, 2c) having height same as that of said first set of columns (1a,
1b, 1c) placed over a second side of said pedestal, wherein the width of said first
and second sides of the pedestal is equal to the width of the canal; a plurality of
beam members (3a,3b,3c) connecting each of the first set of columns
(1a,1b,1c) disposed at first side of the pedestal and each of the second set of
columns (2a,2b,2c) disposed at the second side of the pedestal according to the
individual height of the columns; and a plurality of bracing elements
(5a,5b,5c,5d) provided between the beams and columns (1b,1c,2b,2c,3b,3c).