DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The field of invention generally relates to solar float modules. More specifically, it relates to a system and method for modular solar floats with improved efficiency of solar power generation.

BACKGROUND
[002] Existing solar floats are made by placing solar panels on floats made from HDPE or plastic which are generally used for leisure and tourism. Such floats are unsuitable in satisfying the requirements of solar floats which are used to deploy solar/PV panels over a water body.
[003] Current systems are structured such that multiple floats need to be first attached together, in order to support one solar panel. In such cases, the installation of each PV panel requires skilled labour to attach the plastic floats together to shape a larger solar float. Each plastic float requires an attachment unit such as a clamp or a screw, which are prone to regular wear and tear and will require regular repair, replacement and maintenance.
[004] Further, the backside of the PV panel faces the plastic floats, which do not provide good heat dissipation. This increases the temperature of the backside of the PV panel. When the heat dissipation of the PV panel backside is reduced, the efficiency of the PV panel is reduced, which reduces the efficiency of the generation of solar power.
[005] Further, current solar floats are created from plastic floats which are blown moulds without fasteners. Therefore, the solar floats need extra fasteners to be installed into the floats. Installing the extra fasteners onto the moulded floats requires making perforations in the moulded float, which can lead to cracks and eventual leaks, added repair, replacement and maintenance.
[006] Additionally, metal inserts are used to attach the PV panel to the solar floats. Further skilled labor is required to attach the metal inserts into the moulded plastic floats, and to attach the PV panel to the plastic floats
[007] Thus, in light of the above discussion, it is implied that there is need for a system and method for a solar float with better solar power generation efficiency, which is reliable and does not suffer from the problems discussed above.

OBJECT OF INVENTION
[008] The principle object of this invention is to provide a system and method for a modular solar float with improved efficiency of solar power generation.
[009] Another object of the invention is to provide a system and method for a solar float where a greater area of the backside of the PV panel is exposed to a water body underneath the solar float, in order to improve heat dissipation and increase the efficiency of solar power generation.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a system and method for a solar float wherein one or more solar floats can be mounted on an individual solar float.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a system and method with in-built inserts to attach a PV panel to the solar float.
[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a system and method for creation of a modular solar float which can provide a quick clamping mechanism from the topside to reduce the amount of time, energy and skilled labour required for clamping & de-clamping the PV panels to the solar float.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a system and method for a solar float with a quick clamping mechanism that is located within the boundary of the solar float 100, without extending the clamping mechanism outside the solar float.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a customized flexible clamping system which can accommodate various sizes of PV panels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0015] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which, like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.
[0016] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0017] Figure 1 depicts/illustrates a modular solar float, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0018] Figure 2 depicts/illustrates a side view of the modular solar float with a clamping system to attach PV panels to the modular solar float, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0019] Figure 3 depicts/illustrates a perspective view of the modular solar float, in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0020] Figure 4 illustrates a bottom view of the modular solar float, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or detailed 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.
[0022] The present invention discloses a system and method for a solar float. The solar float can enable the mounting of one or more Photo Voltaic (PV) modules on a single float. Additionally, the solar float is designed and constructed to allow easy clamping between the solar float and each PV module to be mounted on the solar float. Further, the depicted solar float increases the back-side area of the PV module that is exposed to the water underneath the solar float.
[0023] Figure 1 depicts/illustrates a solar float 100 for mounting PV panels (not shown in figure 1). The solar float 100 comprises multiple integrated clamping platforms 102/1 to 102/6 to which the PV panels can be affixed. Each integrated clamping platform 102 may comprise at least one insert 104 which can be used to clamp the PV panel to the solar float 100. Additionally, the solar float 100 may comprise multiple external connectors 106 which can be used to fix multiple solar floats 100 together to create a group of connected solar floats 100 which can be deployed over a larger area.
[0024] In an embodiment, the solar float 100 is formed from four sides made by using one or more known plastic materials. The four sides may be created or designed such that the four sides enclose an opening within a central portion of the solar float 100. The opening may be used to allow the PV panel to be exposed to the water body underneath the solar float 100.
[0025] In an embodiment, the solar float 100 is created by rotomoulding. Further, various plastic materials such as PVC and other known plastics can be used to create the solar float 100.
[0026] In an embodiment, the solar float 100 is created by blow moulding and rotomoulding. Further, various plastics materials like HDPE & other specialty plastics with UV Stabilizers can be used to create the solar float 100.
[0027] In an embodiment, the inserts may be made from metal or plastic, among others.
[0028] Figure 2 depicts/illustrates a side view of the modular solar float 100 with a clamping system to attach PV panels 202 to the modular solar float 100, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0029] In an embodiment, the advantage of the design of the solar float 100 is that one or more PV panels 202 can be mounted on a single solar float 100. In an embodiment, the solar float 100 may be designed in order to accommodate more than one or more PV panels 202. The length and breadth of the solar float 100 can be adjusted to accommodate one or more or more PV panels 202. Accordingly, the number of integrated clamping platforms 102 and inserts 104 can be increased or decreased according to the size or number of PV panels to be accommodated on the solar float 100.
[0030] In an embodiment, the one or more PV panels 202 are mounted on the solar float 100 in an east-west arrangement on a single solar float 100. In an embodiment, the water body below the PV panel 202 is covered fully by the area of the PV module 202. In an embodiment comprising regular PV panel 202, the PV panel 202 covers a water body area of 4 square meters. Thus, the area comprising the water body below the PV panels 202 is shielded from solar irradiance by the PV panels 202. The shielding of the water body area in turn reduces the temperature of the water and hence, the surface of the water body is protected from wind & evaporation.
[0031] Advantageously, as there is a reduction in the temperature of the water body below the PV panels 202, there is greater heat dissipation from the backside of the PV panels 202 which faces the water body. As every degree reduction in temperature results in an increase of 0.4% of efficiency, the solar float 100 provides improved efficiency as a main advantage. Plastic content per mw is reduced as the float quantity and the float assembly fastening systems area is reduced by 50%.
[0032] Figure 2 depicts/illustrates a solar float system 200 comprising PV panels 202/1, 202/2 mounted on the solar float 100. The PV panels 202 may be clamped onto the solar float 100 by using a clamping system. The clamping system comprises outer clamping system 206 to clamp the PV panel 202 to the outer edge of the solar float 100. Each outer clamping system 206 can be used to clamp one end of each PV panel 202 to an outer edge of the solar float 100. Further, the clamping system comprises at least one inner clamping system 204 to clamp another end of each PV panel 202 to an inner edge of the solar float 100.
[0033] In an embodiment, the clamping system is advantageous as it can comprise a customized flexible clamping system which can accommodate various sizes of PV panels 202. The solar float 100 can accommodate PV panels 202 of a range from 370 Wp to 470 Wp without changing the clamping system or the solar float 100.
[0034] In an embodiment, in case of a solar float 100 comprising 1 PV panel 202, the inner clamping system 204 may be the same as the outer clamping system 206.
[0035] In an embodiment, the present invention discloses a method of manufacturing modular solar floats 100. The method comprises forming four sides of the modular solar float 100, and forming an opening enclosed by the four sides, wherein the opening is formed within a central portion of the modular solar float (100). The modular solar float 100 may be formed by one or more process comprising moulding. Further, multiple integrated clamping platforms 102 are integrated on one or more sides of the modular solar float 100. Thereafter, at least one insert is impregnated or encapsulated on each of the multiple integrated clamping platforms (102). Additionally, multiple external connectors (106) are created to fix multiple solar floats (100) together to create a group of connected solar floats (100).
[0036] In an embodiment, the present invention discloses a method of deploying PV panels mounted on modular solar floats 100. The method comprises mounting at least one PV panel 202 on at least one modular solar float 100 through multiple integrated clamping platforms 102. Each of the multiple integrated clamping platforms 102 comprises at least one insert 104 for clamping the PV panel 202 to the modular solar float 100.
[0037] Further, in an embodiment, the PV panel 202 is clamped to an outer clamping system 206 on an outer edge of the modular solar float (100) and is also clamped to an inner clamping system (204) on an inner edge of the solar float (100).
[0038] Further, in an embodiment, multiple modular solar floats (100) can be connected together by using multiple external connectors (106). Thereafter, the resulting group of connected solar floats 100 can be deployed on a water body.
[0039] Figure 3 depicts/illustrates a perspective view of the modular solar float 100, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0040] In an embodiment, the inserts 104 are impregnated in the solar float 100 during the moulding process. The inserts 104 may also be encapsulated post the moulding process along with the floats. The advantage of the metal inserts 104 is the creation of a modular solar float 100 which can provide a quick clamping mechanism from the topside to reduce the amount of time, energy and skilled labour required for clamping & de-clamping the PV panels 202 to the solar float 100.
[0041] An additional advantage of the solar float 100 is that it comprises at least four integrated clamping platforms 102 for each PV panel 202. The integrated clamping platforms 102 can be formed by pinching and/or other moulding processes. In an embodiment, the number of integrated clamping platforms 102 moulded on each solar float 100 may be customized based on the requirements of the PV panel 202. Hence, the number of integrated clamping platforms 102 may be increased or decreased based on the size or numbers of the PV panel 202.
[0042] Another advantage is that the solar float 100 enables a quick clamping mechanism that is located within the boundary of the solar float 100, without extending the clamping mechanism outside the solar float 100.
[0043] Additionally, the wind loading on the solar panels 202 is highly reduced as the design of the solar float 100 has rounded edges which converts them from air barriers into smooth aerodynamic planes. Thus, the thrust on the clamping system & the solar float 100 is highly minimized. The advantage of the design is the improvement in the stability of the solar float 100.
[0044] Figure 4 illustrates a bottom view 400 of the modular solar float, in accordance with an embodiment. The area shaded in grey is termed as an exposure area 402. The exposure area 402 is the area of the backside of the PV panel 202 which is exposed to the water body underneath the solar float 100. Hence, the exposure area 402 is the area of the backside of the PV panel 202 which is not covered by the solar float 100 when viewing the solar float 100 from a bottom view.
[0045] In an embodiment, the efficiency of solar power generation increases directly in proportion to the amount of heat dissipated by the backside of the PV panel 202. Hence, a larger exposure area 402 facing the water body results in a better performance of the solar float 100. Hence, the solar float 100 is designed such that the exposure area 402 is more than 70% of the area of the backside of the PV panel 202. In other words, the opening formed by the four sides of the solar float 100 is more than 70% of the area of the backside of the PV panel 202.
[0046] Due to the large exposure area 402, only about 25% of the backside of the PV panel is covered by the solar float 100, which reduces water contamination to a greater extent. Hence, the solar float 100 is also environment friendly and helps in protecting biodiversity in the water body.
[0047] In an embodiment, the design of the solar float 100 is advantageous as the shaded exposure area 402 exposed to water is more than 70% of the body of the PV panel 202.
[0048] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will 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 scope of the embodiments as described here.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A system for solar floats deployed with at least one PV panel (202), comprising:
at least one modular solar float (100) for mounting at least one PV panel (202), wherein the at least one modular solar float (100) comprises:
at least four sides forming the modular solar float (100);
an opening enclosed by the four sides, wherein the opening is formed within a central portion of the modular solar float (100); and
multiple integrated clamping platforms (102) on which the at least one PV panel (202) is mounted.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the multiple integrated clamping platforms (102) comprises at least one insert (104) for clamping the least one PV panel (202) to the modular solar float (100).

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the modular solar float (100) comprises multiple external connectors (106) to fix multiple modular solar floats (100) together to create a group of connected solar floats (100).

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the modular solar float (100) comprises an outer clamping system (206) to clamp the at least one PV panel (202) to an outer edge of the solar float (100).

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the modular solar float (100) comprises an inner clamping system (204) to clamp an end of the at least one PV panel (202) to an inner edge of the solar float (100).

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein an inner clamping system (204) may be same as an outer clamping system (206) in case one PV panel (202) is mounted on the modular solar float (100)

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the opening is more than 70% of an area of backside of the PV panel 202.

8. A method of manufacturing modular solar floats (100), comprising:
forming at least four sides of the modular solar float (100);
forming an opening enclosed by the four sides, wherein the opening is formed within a central portion of the modular solar float (100); and
integrating multiple integrated clamping platforms (102) on one or more sides of the modular solar float (100);
providing at least one insert (104) on each of the multiple integrated clamping platforms (102); and
providing multiple external connectors (106) to fix multiple solar floats (100) together to create a group of connected solar floats (100).

9. The method according to claim 8, comprising providing one or more of an outer clamping system (206) on an outer edge of the modular solar float (100) and an inner clamping system (204) on an inner edge of the solar float (100).

10. A method of deploying PV panels mounted on modular solar floats (100), comprising:
mounting at least one PV panel (202) on at least one modular solar float (100);
clamping the at least one PV panel (202) to the at least one modular solar float (100) by using multiple integrated clamping platforms (102), wherein each of the multiple integrated clamping platforms (102) comprises at least one insert (104);
clamping the at least one PV panel (202) to one or more of an outer clamping system (206) on an outer edge of the modular solar float (100) and an inner clamping system (204) on an inner edge of the solar float (100).

11. The method according to claim 10, comprising connecting together multiple modular solar floats (100) by using multiple external connectors (106) to deploy a group of connected solar floats (100).