Claims:1. A solar pod comprising:
• a buoyant support structure comprising:
 a first plurality of buoyant bodies arranged in a spaced apart configuration with each other; and
 a second plurality of buoyant bodies securely disposed over said first plurality of buoyant bodies forming said buoyant support structure; and
• at least one solar photovoltaic panel securely disposed on said buoyant support structure.
2. The solar pod as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second plurality of buoyant bodies has a hollow structure and is sealed at operative ends thereof to restrict fluid ingress therein.
3. The solar pod as claimed in claim 1, wherein said solar pod includes atleast one wind deflector disposed around atleast one operative edge of said support structure to deflect the wind waves approaching said support structure and thereby not allow stress buildup due to wind forces.
4. The solar pod as claimed in claim 1, wherein said solar pod includes at least one inverter disposed over said buoyant support structure.
5. The solar pod as claimed in claim 1, wherein material of said first and second plurality of buoyant bodies is selected from the group consisting of unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC), glass reinforced plastic (GRP), and fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), and any combinations thereof.
6. The solar pod as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second plurality of buoyant bodies has a cross section selected from a group consisting of a circle, a square, a triangle, a rectangle, and any combination thereof.
7. A solar pod comprising:
• a buoyant support structure comprising:
 a first set of three buoyant bodies, each having diameter range of 200 to 250 mm, arranged in an equispaced parallel configuration with each other; and
 a second set of three buoyant bodies, each having diameter range of 200 to 250 mm, securely disposed orthogonally, in a spaced apart configuration, over said first plurality of buoyant bodies forming said buoyant support structure; and
• a set of twenty one solar photovoltaic panels disposed on said buoyant structure.
8. The solar pod as claimed in claim 1 or claim 7, wherein each of said buoyant bodies is configured to withstand a pressure ranging from 2 kg/cm2 to 4.5 kg/cm2.
9. A power generation system comprising a plurality of solar pods as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one solar pod of said plurality of solar pods is coupled to at least one adjacent solar pod of said plurality of solar pods by an interconnecting spacer to restrict the displacement of said plurality of solar pods.
10. The power generation system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said power generation system includes a ratchet type arrangement disposed at operative ends of said interconnecting spacer to facilitate an operative upward and an operative downward movement of said interconnecting spacer.
11. The solar pod as claimed in claim 1 or claim 7, wherein said solar pod is a modular generating system with an output terminating into a junction box.
12. The solar pod as claimed in claim 1 or claim 7, wherein said solar pod includes a wireless data monitoring system configured to communicate via a Wi-fi system.
13. The solar pod as claimed in claim 1or claim 7, wherein said solar pod is configured to withstand a wind speed of 150 kmph. , Description:FIELD
The present invention relates to the field of electricity generation by using solar panels.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present invention, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
Buoyant body - A buoyant body is defined as the body that is able or tending to keep afloat or rise to the top of a liquid.
BACKGROUND
As compared to conventional power generation plants, e.g., hydroelectric power plants and thermal power plants, the productivity of the non-conventional power generation plants, e.g., solar photovoltaic power plants, is extremely low. For increasing the productivity of the solar plants to match that of the conventional power generation plants, it would require a large number of photovoltaic panels being installed in a very large area. In an agrarian economy, land is an asset which is of extreme importance. Conversely, approximately seventy one percent of earth’s surface is covered with water that is majorly unutilized for power generation.
Therefore, there is felt a need of a solar photovoltaic based electricity generation system that is installable on the water bodies to generate electricity.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present invention, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present invention is to provide a solar pod that is installable on water surface.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a solar pod that has a modular structure.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a solar pod that is configured to be coupled with other solar pods.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
SUMMARY
A solar pod comprises a buoyant support structure and a plurality of solar photovoltaic panels. The plurality of solar photovoltaic panels is securely disposed over the buoyant support structure. The buoyant support structure comprises a first and a second plurality of buoyant bodies. The first plurality of buoyant bodies is arranged in spaced apart configuration with each other. The second plurality of buoyant bodies is securely disposed over the first plurality of buoyant bodies forming the buoyant support structure.
The first and the second plurality of buoyant bodies have a hollow structure and are sealed at operative ends thereof to restrict water ingress therein. However, this hollow space is filled with a super lightweight packing which does not absorb water. The solar pod further includes wind deflectors that are attached around operative edges of the support structure to deflect the wind and waves approaching the buoyant support structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The solar pod, of the present invention, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a top view of a buoyant support structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a solar pod in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of solar pods connected to each other in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention envisages a solar pod that floats on a water body and supports a plurality of solar photovoltaic panels. The solar pod of the present invention includes a support structure that is configured to float on the water body.
Figure 1 illustrates a top view of a buoyant support structure 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a solar pod 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The solar pod 200 comprises the buoyant support structure 100 and a plurality of solar photovoltaic panels 110. The buoyant support structure 100 comprises a first plurality of buoyant bodies 102 and a second plurality of buoyant bodies 104. The first plurality of buoyant bodies 102 is arranged in a spaced apart configuration with each other. In an embodiment, the first plurality of buoyant bodies 102 is arranged in an equispaced parallel configuration. The second plurality of buoyant bodies 104 is securely disposed over the first plurality of buoyant bodies 102. In an embodiment, the second plurality of buoyant bodies 104 is orthogonally disposed over the first plurality of buoyant bodies 102 in a spaced apart configuration.
In an embodiment, the first plurality of buoyant bodies 102 and the second plurality of buoyant bodies 104 have a hollow structure. This hollow space is sealed with a super light weight non water absorbing material. Further, operative ends of the first plurality of buoyant bodies 102 and the second plurality of buoyant bodies 104 are sealed using a buoyant material so as to restrict the water ingress therein. In an embodiment, the buoyant material has a water absorption coefficient of less than 1% and density ranging between 10 to 30 kg/m3.
The first plurality of buoyant bodies 102 and the second plurality of buoyant bodies 104 have a cross section selected from a group consisting of a circle, a square, a triangle, a rectangle, and any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the first plurality of buoyant bodies 102 and the second plurality of buoyant bodies 104 have a cylindrical or square cross section. Further, each of the first plurality of buoyant bodies 102 and the second plurality of buoyant bodies 104 are configured to withstand pressure ranging from 2 kg/cm2 to 4.5 kg/cm2.
The material of the first plurality of buoyant bodies 102 and the second plurality of buoyant bodies 104 is able to withstand the dead weight of the plurality of solar photovoltaic panels 110 and the wind load while floating on the water body. In an embodiment, the material of the first plurality of buoyant bodies 102 and the second plurality of buoyant bodies 104 is selected from the group consisting of unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC), glass reinforced plastic (GRP), and fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), and any combinations thereof. The material selected is such that there is not going to be any negative impact on the marine ecology or local flora and fauna.
The buoyant support structure 100 further includes a plurality of supports 106 that is disposed over the second plurality of buoyant bodies 104 to support the plurality of solar photovoltaic panels 110 thereon. In one embodiment, aluminium angles are used, as the plurality of supports 106, to support the plurality of solar photovoltaic panels 110. In another embodiment, the plurality of supports 106 is disposed over the first plurality of buoyant bodies 102. Furthermore, the buoyant support structure 100 includes at least one wind deflector 112 configured to deflect the wind waves approaching the buoyant support structure 100. In one embodiment, two wind deflectors 112 are disposed at an operative front and an operative rear edge of the buoyant support structure 100 at an angle of 45o to the horizontal. The approaching wind waves exert force on the buoyant support structure 100, thereby causing the undesired movement of the buoyant support structure 100. The wind deflectors 112 deflect the approaching wind waves to reduce the uplift and downward pressure on the solar pod 200, thereby reducing induced stresses in the buoyant support structure 100 and improving safety of the same. Additionally, an unique anchoring system designed by the applicant is to be used for securing the system such that there is no lateral movement of the pods.
A power conditioning unit (not shown in figures) is placed over the buoyant support structure 100 and electrically coupled to the plurality of solar photovoltaic panels 110. This unique arrangement reduces the total length of required electric cable, thereby reducing current and voltage losses. The power conditioning unit converts a direct current generated by the plurality of solar photovoltaic panels 110 into an alternating current. In an embodiment, an inverter (not shown in figures) is used as the power conditioning unit. In an embodiment, the inverter is configured to achieve DC-to-AC ratio of 1.3:1.
In an embodiment, the power conditioning unit is disposed between the buoyant support structure 100 and the plurality of solar photovoltaic panels 110. In another embodiment, the power conditioning unit is disposed over the buoyant support structure 100 by replacing at least one solar photovoltaic panel of the plurality of solar photovoltaic panels 110.
In an exemplary embodiment, the buoyant support structure 100 comprises a first and a second set of buoyant bodies. Each of the first and the second sets includes three buoyant bodies having diameter in the range of 200 to 250 mm each. The first set of three buoyant bodies is arranged in an equispaced parallel configuration. The second set of three buoyant bodies is orthogonally disposed over the first set of buoyant bodies in spaced apart configuration with each other. A set of twenty one solar photovoltaic panels is disposed over the buoyant support structure 100.
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of a system 300 of solar pods connected to each other in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
A plurality of solar pods 200 is coupled to each other to form a power generation system. This arrangement of coupling multiple solar pods increases the total generation capacity from few kilowatts to megawatts. Further, this arrangement increases the mechanical strength of the plurality of solar pods 200 to overcome force exerted by wind and water waves thereon.
Additionally, a unique anchoring system designed by the applicant is to be used for securing the system such that there is no lateral movement of the pods.
An interconnecting spacer 116 is used to couple adjacent solar pods 200. The interconnecting spacer 116 restricts the movement of adjacent solar pods 200 in lateral direction, and avoids banging of the solar pods 200 in case of wind or water waves. Material of the interconnecting spacer 116 is water and ultraviolet rays resistant. Material of the interconnecting spacer 116 is selected from the group consisting of galvanized mild steel, fiber, and unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC). In an embodiment, the interconnecting spacer 116 has a cylindrical or square cross section.
An operative one end of the interconnecting spacer 116 is connected to a vertical post 118 disposed at operative corners of one solar pod 200, and other end is connected to a vertical post of another solar pod 200. In an embodiment, all the four corners of the solar pod 200 are loosely bolted with the interconnecting spacer 116 to facilitate the connection of the solar pod 200 with other solar pods to form the power generation system.
The interconnecting spacer 116 is configured with a fork structure (not shown in figures). The fork structure facilitates the connection between the vertical post 118 and the interconnecting spacer 116. In an embodiment, a plurality of holes is configured at operative surface of the wind deflector 112 to allow the interconnecting spacer 116 therethrough with some leverage.
A ratchet type arrangement is disposed at operative ends of the interconnecting spacer 116 to facilitate an operative upward and an operative downward movement of the interconnecting spacer 116, thereby reducing stresses developed in the interconnecting spacer 116 due to force exerted by wind and water waves.
A data monitoring system is installed in water proof arrangement near to the solar pod 200. The data monitoring system has a storage capacity and a data transmission provision for certain period of time. Further, the data monitoring system is a wireless system and is configured to communicate via a Wi-Fi system.
The solar pod 200 has a modular configuration. Further, the solar pod 200 is a modular generating system with the output terminating into a junction box. The solar pod 200 is configured to float on a water body.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present invention described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a solar pod that:
• is installable on water surface;
• has a modular structure; and
• is configured to be uniquely coupled with other solar pods.
The invention has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the invention. 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 revealed 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 invention to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the invention as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the invention, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
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 invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the invention herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.