Patent Description:
The present system relates to floating solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays.

Currently, one challenge that can affects the adoption of floating solar PV arrays is that they have unknown impacts to water quality. While floating solar arrays have been claimed to provide passive benefits to their host water bodies, including reduced evaporation and algae growth, there is still a large gap in knowledge about the extent of impact. What is desired is a floating solar PV array that includes systems that remediate or improve water quality. Ideally, such a system would also measure and regulate important water quality parameters. As will be shown, the present system can achieve these objectives.

Secondly, although water remediation systems including aerators and diffusers have been used in conjunction with floating solar arrays in the past, powering these remediation systems is expensive and presents some challenges. The standard method for running these remediation systems is simply to run a power line or compressed air supply line from the shore out to the solar array as the power or air source for these water remediation devices. In this configuration, the floating solar PV array and water accessory devices are decoupled from and electrical and controls standpoint. What is instead desired is a system that can use the power that is already being generated by the solar PV array to power these various water quality remediation devices. This desired system that integrates the floating solar PV array and water accessories can reduce the cost of water management for water body operators. Since the power generated by the array changes over the course of the day (and is basically not available at night), an ideal solution would also balance power inputs from the array itself and from the on-shore grid to operate the various water quality remediation devices at the specific times (and in the specific amounts) that they are needed. In addition, an ideal system would also use the power generated by the PV modules that is normally clipped by the inverter to power these various water quality remediation devices. This use of inverter-clipped power has not been achieved in the past. Ideally, such an on-board power management system would use the inverter-clipped power, but also be able to supplement this power with non-clipped power or even on-shore power as required to run the various water quality remediation devices (and other devices) at different times and during changing environmental and power generating conditions. As will be shown, the present system addresses these challenges and overcomes them.

Another one of the biggest challenges with floating solar PV arrays in general is their high costs (as compared to land-based solar PV arrays). This is due to several factors. First, floating components tend to be quite specialized for use on the water, and are therefore somewhat expensive. Second, it can be expensive to ship these specialized components to the body of water on which they will be assembled and deployed. Third, additional costs are also incurred in the actual assembly of floating solar arrays, which are more challenging to build than land-based arrays as standard installation practices are still being defined. Finally, floating solar arrays are also more expensive to maintain as the operator needs to come out on the water to access the array.

What is instead desired is a floating solar PV array that offers reduced costs as compared to existing floating systems. First, it would be desirable to reduce the costs of the various components themselves. As such, it would also be desirable to reduce the size and weight of these components (to reduce their shipping costs). Finally, it would be desirable to provide a floating solar PV array that is fast and easy to assemble (such that assembly times and associated labor costs are reduced). As will be shown herein, the present system achieves these objectives by providing an inexpensive and lightweight system. The present system can be compacted when shipped and assembled relatively easily and inexpensively. In addition, the present system uses relatively fewer components than are normally found in floating solar PV arrays to support the PV modules.

Another common problem with floating solar PV arrays is that it can be difficult to access all of their components after they have been assembled and deployed out on the body of water. As will be shown, the present system has design features that permit easy operator access to the various parts of the array while the array is floating on the body of water.

Another problem with floating solar PV arrays is that they typically do not move their PV module orientation to track the movement of the sun. As will be shown, the present system includes optional mechanisms that can move the PV modules both by adjusting their angle of tilt to the horizon and also optionally by rotating the array on the water's surface to track the movement of the sun. As such, multi-axes tracking of the sun can be achieved using the present system. <CIT> proposes a power system for connecting a power source, an energy storage unit and a grid. The system includes a power inverter, an energy storage power converter and a controller. The power inverter is electrically coupled to the power source through a DC bus and converts DC power from the DC bus to AC power output to the grid. The power converter is electrically coupled between the DC bus and the energy storage unit and stores power in the energy storage unit and discharges power from the energy storage unit. The controller controls the power converter to store excess power from the power source that cannot be output to the grid in the energy storage unit, and control the energy storage power converter to discharge power stored in the energy storage unit to the power inverter to output to the grid. <CIT> proposes a floating solar power generation system includes a photovoltaic ("PV") array. The PV array includes a plurality of PV modules mechanically bound together. Each of the PV modules includes solar cells for generating solar power that are embedded within a laminated structure which is compliant to folding or bending in response to wave action on a surface of a waterbody. The laminated structure of each of the PV modules floats in or on the waterbody in intimate contact with the waterbody to cool the solar cells.

The present system includes a system for powering an accessory device with power generated on a floating solar photovoltaic (PV) array as set out in claim <NUM>. Further optional features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The energy management control system is configured to send power to at least one powered accessory device (which preferably includes a water remediation device, air compressor, mooring system or other device). The power sent to this accessory device includes power that has been clipped by the inverter. The advantage of this approach (i.e.: using inverter-clipped power to power the accessory device) is that it powers the accessory device with power that would otherwise be lost and not sent to shore. However, the power sent to the accessory device can also include power that has not been clipped by the inverter. This approach includes sending power to the accessory device that could otherwise have been sent from the array directly to the on-shore power grid. This approach could be beneficial for short periods of time when it is necessary to have the powered accessory device turned on (for example, during extended water remediation), but when the inverter-clipped power is not sufficient all by itself to power the water remediation device. The present energy management control system thus balances (and varies) these two different sources of power over time. For example, some of the non-clipped power could be sent from the PV modules to keep an aerator on late in the day when the array's power output is lower (such that inverter-clipped power alone would not be able to keep the aerator running). In optional preferred aspects, the present energy management control system also is configured to receive power through a power line running from the floating solar array to the on-shore grid to send power to at least one powered accessory device. Again, this third source of power can be balanced and controlled over time. As a result, the present energy management power control system is configured to send power to at least one powered accessory device by adjustably changing the amounts of power received from each of the following power sources over a period of time: (i) power received from the PV modules that has been clipped by the inverter, (ii) power received from the PV modules that has not been clipped by the inverter, and (iii) power received from the on-shore grid. True, three- way power balancing can be achieved.

The powered water remediation accessory device is a water quality device, being one or more of an aerator, a diffuser, a sub-surface agitator, a sub-surface water circulator, or a water quality sensor. In other aspects, the powered accessory device is an air compressor for inflating the plurality of pontoons. Possibly the powered accessory device is a positional mooring device, a panel washer, or a bird removal system.

The present floating solar PV array comprises: (a) a plurality of inflatable upper support pontoons with upper mounting hardware thereon;.

The present system also comprises an air manifold system. As described herein, the air manifold system can include any air source. As such, the air source can include an air compressor or an air tank or a combination thereof. Pneumatic tubing is provided to connect the air source to each of the plurality of inflatable support pontoons. Pressure sensors are also preferably provided for determining air pressures in the inflatable support pontoons. An air manifold control system controls the air pressures in the inflatable support pontoons. Preferably, the entire air manifold system is powered by the photovoltaic modules in the solar photovoltaic array. As such, the present system can be fully self-contained in terms of sensing and maintaining its internal air pressures. This offers numerous benefits. For example, should air pressures fall in any of the support pontoons, the present system is able to detect the pressure drop and provide correction and re-inflate the support pontoons to within desired pressure ranges. A particularly unique advantage of the present self-contained pontoon inflation control system is that the pressures in the upper support pontoons can be changed to adjust the incident angle of the PV modules towards the sun. In addition, the upper support pontoons can be partially deflated to "stow" the system for safety reasons if the system is struck by adverse weather conditions.

An important advantage of the present system of upper and lower pontoons supporting the solar PV modules is that they substantially reduce the physical shipping volume of components in the array. Specifically, since the upper pontoons are inflatable, they are lightweight and can ideally be collapsed and packed tightly together during shipping. The lower pontoons may be inflatable as well, further reducing the shipping size and weight of the present system. In preferred embodiments, the upper support pontoons may simply be inflatable cylinders with mounting hardware attached directly thereto.

The angle of each of the solar photovoltaic modules can be adjusted by adjusting an inflation level in the inflatable upper support pontoons. This advantageously provides the ability to track the sun's movement over the course of the day to optimize power generation in the array.

In preferred embodiments, the lower support pontoons may have a flattened top surface that functions as a walkway that supports the weight of an operator. This flattened top surface advantageously permits ease of access during both initial assembly on the water and for system maintenance thereafter.

The upper and lower support pontoons hold each of the solar PV modules above the water such that the center portion of each solar PV module is suspended directly above the water with no mechanical structures positioned directly underneath. As such, the solar PV modules are each simply suspended above the water with the only mechanical connection between any of the inflatable upper support pontoons and any of the lower support pontoons being through the solar photovoltaic module itself. The advantage of this design is that it substantially reduces the total amount of system support hardware. In fact, the mounting hardware on each of the inflatable upper support pontoons can simply include a U-ring connector thermally welded or adhesively connected to the inflatable upper support pontoon. In contrast, existing floating solar arrays tend to require many more fastening components.

The system also includes a powered accessory which may be an aerator, a diffuser, a sub-surface agitator, a sub-surface water circulator, a sub-surface positioning/mooring system, a water quality sensor; a PV module panel washer, or even or a bird removal system, or some combination thereof. The advantage of aerators, diffusers, sub-surface agitators, sub-surface water circulators, and water quality sensors is that they can be used to improve water quality. The advantage of a sub-surface mooring system is that it can be used to keep the array at a preferred location, and to optionally rotate the array to track the movement of the sun across the sky. The advantages of panel washing or bird- removal systems are that they can be used to maximize power generation from the array. In all cases, these different powered accessories are preferably powered using inverter-clipped power from the PV modules in the array itself. As stated above, these various accessories may be completely powered by the array, or the array may power these accessories some of the time. The present energy management control system determines which power source(s) are used at which times and in what amounts. The energy management control system also adjusts these various energy sources over time under changing conditions. As such, the energy management control system can supply power generated by the PV modules in the array (including both inverter- clipped power and power that has not been clipped by the inverter) together with optional power sources including an on-board battery, or a power connection line to the on-shore grid, or both. During most of the time, the powered accessory can advantageously be powered by the output from the solar PV modules that has been clipped by an inverter. As such, the accessories can be powered from power that would otherwise be lost and not sent to shore.

A further advantage of the present system is that there is a wide variety of different configurations or layouts in which the system can be deployed. For example, the individual solar PV modules can be laid out in rows with all of the solar PV modules facing south. Alternatively, the solar PV modules can be laid out with alternating rows angled east and west. The individual solar PV modules can all be laid out in portrait orientation. Alternatively, however, the individual solar PV modules can all be laid out in landscape orientation.

In various preferred embodiments, the present solar PV array can have different numbers of upper and lower support pontoons in different configurations. For example, in various arrangements, each of the solar PV modules can have their own dedicated upper support pontoon. Alternatively, two or more solar PV modules can share the same upper support pontoon. In addition, although several solar PV modules can be mounted to the same lower support pontoon, the width of the present array can be extended by linking together more than one lower support pontoon.

<FIG> show various embodiments of the present floating solar photovoltaic array <NUM>, and its system of powering various accessory devices. As seen in <FIG>, the system comprises: a plurality of PV modules <NUM>; a plurality of floating pontoons <NUM> for supporting PV modules <NUM> above the water; an inverter <NUM> or <NUM> for receiving DC power from PV modules <NUM> and converting the DC power to AC power. As will be explained, inverter <NUM> has an AC power limit such that any power received above the AC Power limit would be clipped by the inverter. Also included are at least one powered accessory device <NUM>; a power <NUM> line running from the floating solar array <NUM> to an on-shore grid; and an energy management power control system <NUM> configured to send power that has been clipped by the inverter to the at least one powered accessory device <NUM>.

Energy management power control system <NUM> is further configured to send power that has not been clipped by the inverter to the at least one powered accessory device. Energy management power control system <NUM> is further configured to receive power through the power line <NUM> running from the floating solar array to the on-shore grid to send power to the at least one powered accessory device <NUM>. As such, energy management power control system <NUM> can be configured to send power to the at least one powered accessory device <NUM> by adjustably changing the amounts of power received from each of the following power sources over a period of time: (i) power received from the PV modules that has been clipped by the inverter, (ii) power received from the PV modules that has not been clipped by the inverter, and (iii) power received from the on-shore grid.

Powered accessory device <NUM> may be a water quality device including any one or more of the surface aerator <NUM>, the dredger <NUM> , the air compressor <NUM>, the ozone treatment device <NUM> or the water sensor <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>; or the aerator <NUM>, diffuser <NUM>, sub-surface agitator <NUM>, or sub surface water circulator <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>; the mooring/positional system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> or the panel washer <NUM> or bird removal system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. As will be further explained, when the powered accessory <NUM> is air compressor <NUM>, the air compressor can be used for inflating the plurality of pontoons. In optional embodiments, the powered accessory could also include debris collectors, UV treatment equipment, desalination equipment, or electrolyzers.

Turning next to <FIG>, various exemplary embodiments of the present array <NUM> are seen. It is to be understood that for clarity of understanding these figures are only simplified illustrations, and that not all structural components are illustrated.

<FIG> shows module <NUM> facing in a southward direction. In commercial embodiments, a plurality of the systems illustrated in <FIG> are positioned side by side (for example as seen in <FIG>). <FIG> shows alternating rows of modules <NUM> facing in either an east or west direction. As seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, array <NUM> comprises: a plurality of inflatable upper support pontoons <NUM> with upper mounting hardware/mounts <NUM> thereon; a plurality of lower support pontoons <NUM> with lower mounting hardware/mounts <NUM> thereon; and a plurality of solar photovoltaic modules <NUM> mounted therebetween. As seen in <FIG>, two PV modules <NUM> may share the same upper support pontoon <NUM>.

Each solar photovoltaic module <NUM> has an upper end <NUM> that is connected to the mounting hardware/mounts <NUM> on one of the inflatable upper support pontoons <NUM> and a lower end <NUM> that is connected to the mounting hardware/mounts <NUM> on one of the lower support pontoons <NUM>. As can be seen, the mounting hardware/mounts <NUM> on inflatable upper support pontoon <NUM> is higher (i.e.: farther above the water) than the mounting hardware/mounts <NUM> on lower support pontoon <NUM>. This preferred design holds each of the solar photovoltaic modules <NUM> at an inclined angle, as shown. In other embodiments, the mounting hardware <NUM> on each of the inflatable upper support pontoons <NUM> includes a U-ring connector thermally welded or adhesively connected to the inflatable upper support pontoon.

Upper support pontoon <NUM> may be an inflatable cylindrical tube made of materials including, but not limited to, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO), Polyvinycl Chloride (PVC), Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), or a PVC-coated fabric. Preferably, upper support pontoons <NUM> have a thickness of between <NUM> to <NUM>, or more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Lower support pontoons <NUM> may be made of similar materials and may also be inflatable. Also, the lower support pontoons <NUM> have a flattened top surface <NUM> that can function as a walkway for operators to gain access to the PV modules. In optional aspects, a wire management chamber can be positioned on or in the lower support pontoons <NUM>.

As explained above, the present array <NUM> also includes an air manifold system <NUM> (shown schematically in <FIG>). System <NUM> preferably comprises an air compressor <NUM> (See <FIG>) (or any other air source including an air tank), and pneumatic tubing <NUM> (see also <FIG>) connecting air compressor <NUM> to each of the plurality of inflatable upper support pontoons <NUM>. Pressure sensors <NUM> can be included for determining air pressures in each of the inflatable upper support pontoons <NUM>. Lastly, an air manifold control system <NUM> can be used for measuring the output of pressure sensors <NUM> and controlling the air pressures in each of the inflatable upper support pontoons <NUM>. Most preferably, air manifold system <NUM> is completely (or at least partially) powered by the photovoltaic modules <NUM> in the solar photovoltaic array.

The inclined angle of each of the solar photovoltaic modules <NUM> can be adjusted simply by adjusting an inflation level in one of the inflatable upper support pontoons <NUM>. Specifically, as an upper support pontoon <NUM> is inflated, the top end <NUM> of a solar PV module <NUM> will be raised, thereby placing PV module <NUM> into a somewhat more vertical orientation. Conversely, deflating upper support pontoon <NUM> will place the PCV module <NUM> into a somewhat more horizontal orientation. Therefore, by changing the inflation pressures within upper support pontoons <NUM> over the course of a day, the angle of tile of the PV modules can be made to better track the motion of the sun.

As can be appreciated, the present floating mounting system uses substantially fewer components than traditional floating solar PV arrays. Instead, with the present system, so few components are required that the center portion of each solar photovoltaic module <NUM> can be positioned directly above water with no mechanical structure positioned directly thereunder (as seen in <FIG>). As such, the only mechanical connection between any of the inflatable upper support pontoons and any of the lower support pontoons is through one of the solar photovoltaic modules.

Next, <FIG> illustrates the present solar PV array <NUM> showing a variety of optional powered accessories (e.g.: devices <NUM> in <FIG>) that may be included therewith. Most preferably, these various powered accessories are powered by the PV modules <NUM> in the solar photovoltaic array. It is to be understood, however, that these powered accessories can be powered from a battery on the array (which may be recharged by the PV modules). As such, the powered accessory can be powered directly from the PV modules during the day and through the battery during the night (after the battery has been re-charged by the PV modules during the day).

The powered accessories can optionally include an aerator <NUM>, a diffuser <NUM>, sub-surface agitator <NUM>, a sub-surface water circulator <NUM>, and a water quality sensor (<NUM> in <FIG>). It is to be understood that the present system can include any number or combination of these accessories. Placing large, floating solar arrays onto bodies of water has the advantage of not requiring large amounts of terrestrial real estate for array deployment. Unfortunately, covering a comparatively large body of water with a floating solar array can have undesirable effects. For example, stratification of the water can be a problem. Floating solar arrays also interfere with natural wave motion and partially block the sun from reaching the water, thereby darkening the water below the array.

Accessories <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> (and <NUM> in <FIG>) can be used to remediate or improve water quality, and water quality sensor (<NUM> in <FIG>) can be used for measuring water quality. For example, aerator <NUM> can be a floating surface fountain as illustrated that sprays water upwards. Diffuser <NUM> can be a bottom resting device that releases bubbles of air (i.e.: air is pumped air down in a tube from above the array and released underwater it so that it bubbles upwards). Both aerator <NUM> and diffuser <NUM> assist in aerating the water. Sub-surface agitator <NUM> can be a propeller/turbine device mounted to the underside of the array that stirs the water under array <NUM>. Sub-surface water circulator <NUM> can be a bottom mounted propeller/turbine device that stirs the water under array <NUM>. These powered accessories help repair stratified water bodies, prevent algae blooms, and support desired flora and fauna.

Ideally, accessories <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can be powered by PV modules <NUM>, thereby permitting their operation during the daytime (when power is being generated by the array). Since accessories <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> typically do not need to be operating <NUM> hours/day to provide benefits, it is possible to operate these accessories solely relying upon power generated from the PV modules <NUM>. This provides a fully self-contained water quality remediation system. When water quality remediation devices such as these are integrated into the present solar array, installation costs are minimal. In addition, another advantage of using these powered accessories / water quality remediation devices is that it reduces the future costs of maintenance programs to reduce pond scum and toxic gasses. However, although these various devices may be powered solely by array <NUM>, it is to be understood that the present system also encompasses variations with accessories <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> powered by PV modules <NUM>, an on-board battery, a power line <NUM> running to shore or any combination thereof.

<FIG> is a side elevation view of the present solar PV array showing an optional sub-surface mooring/ positioning system <NUM>. Sub-surface mooring system.

As seen in <FIG> IB, propeller/turbines <NUM> A in system <NUM> can be angled slightly downwards to further assist in keeping array <NUM> buoyant (as compared to more horizontal directed propeller/turbine <NUM> IB The system also includes a plurality of mooring cables connected to at least one of the plurality of inflatable upper support pontoons <NUM> or lower support pontoons <NUM> for mooring the array at a desired location on a body of water.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the present solar PV array <NUM> showing an optional panel washer <NUM> and an optional bird removal system <NUM>. Panel washer system <NUM> may simply comprise a sprayer <NUM> than can be directed to suck up water from below the array (with submersible pump <NUM>) and spray the water onto the surfaces of PV modules <NUM> to periodically clean the modules. Sprayer <NUM> can be automatically controlled to point in various directions to cover the surfaces of the different PV modules. The various cleaning routines can be programmed into the control system such that sprayer <NUM> sprays the surfaces of PV modules <NUM> one after another. Optional bird removal system <NUM> can function similar to panel washer <NUM>. Specifically, bird removal system <NUM> suck up water from below the array and spray the water onto the surfaces of PV modules <NUM>. However, the modules <NUM> are only sprayed when camera/ motion sensor <NUM> detects a bird sitting on one of the PV modules <NUM>. When a bird is viewed sitting on one of the PV modules, the sprayer <NUM> is aimed at the bird.

<FIG> is an exemplary graph of array power generated over time showing the portion of inverter-clipped power directed to the powered accessory. Specifically, over a <NUM> hour period, power output from PV modules <NUM> peaks mid-day, and is zero overnight. However, in this example, the maximum power the inverter is able to send to the grid (via power line <NUM> to shore in <FIG> or <FIG>) is <NUM> KW. Accordingly, the power in region <NUM> can be sent to the on-shore grid. However, the power in region <NUM> will be "clipped" by the inverter and cannot be sent to shore. Accordingly, in accordance with the present energy management power control system <NUM>, the power in region <NUM> is instead sent directly to power an accessory <NUM> such as aerator <NUM>. Accordingly, the aerator is operated between about 8am and 3pm. Should it be desirable to operate an accessory <NUM> at extended periods of time, energy management power control system <NUM> can use different power balancing approaches as explained in <FIG> as follows.

<FIG> is an exemplary graph showing inverter-clipped power <NUM> sent to a powered accessory <NUM> over a period of time. In this illustration, accessory <NUM> will only be operated during daylight hours when inverter-clipped power <NUM> is available.

<FIG> is an exemplary graph showing the portions of both inverter-clipped power <NUM> and power <NUM> that has not been clipped by the inverter being sent to the powered accessory (or accessories) <NUM> over a period of time. In this illustration, non- clipped power <NUM> is used at the end of the day to power accessory <NUM> when inverter- clipped power has tapered off.

Finally, <FIG> is an exemplary graph showing the portions of inverter- clipped power <NUM>, non-inverter-clipped power <NUM> and shore-received power <NUM> all being sent to the powered accessory (or accessories) <NUM> over a period of time. This specific illustration is taken over a period of a full year and shows the situation where some power from the grid (i.e.: power <NUM>) is used to power accessory <NUM> throughout the course of the year.

<FIG> is an exemplary graph showing various sources of power being generated by the solar PV array over a continuous <NUM> hour period. <FIG> shows the power being sent to the powered accessory (or accessories) corresponding to <FIG> during the continuous <NUM> hour period. Specifically, inverter-clipped power <NUM> is only sent to accessory <NUM> when such power is available (between about 6am and 12pm and lpm to 6pm). Accordingly, power <NUM> (which has not been clipped by the inverter) will also be sent to accessory <NUM> from about 6am to 6pm such that the accessory has sufficient power for its operation (i.e.: such that the combined power regions <NUM> and <NUM> total the necessary power to run the device - identified as "WT Load" in <FIG>). Before 6am and after 6pm, the PV modules <NUM> won't be generating any power. Thus, power <NUM> will be drawing directly from the grid to keep the accessories running. As can be seen, the relative contributions of power regions/sources <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM> will change over time. Early in the morning as the day starts, grid power <NUM> is phased out as non-clipped power <NUM> comes online. By mid-day, clipped power <NUM> starts to come online (as the PV modules <NUM> exceed the "PV AC Limit" seen in <FIG>), and the amount of non-clipped power <NUM> can be reduced. Later in the day, clipped power <NUM> starts to decrease until all power is supplied by non-clipped power source <NUM> (between about 5pm and 6pm). Finally, as non-clipped power source <NUM> starts to fall off, then grid power <NUM> will begin to take up the slack and will be the final sole power source overnight. Region <NUM> represents the power that array <NUM> supplies to the on-shore grid over the course of the day.

<FIG> are similar to <FIG>, however, <FIG> deal with the situation where the powered accessory <NUM> need only be operated between about 10am and 9pm. Specifically, at around 10am, power is supplied to the powered accessory from regions/sources <NUM> and <NUM>. As can be seen, the relative proportions of these two amounts will vary somewhat over the course of the day. After about 6pm, the powered accessory will rely solely upon grid-supplied power <NUM>. At about 9pm, the device <NUM> will be turned off and not turned on again until about 10am the next morning. Power region <NUM> is "lost power" that has been clipped by the inverter but is not required to power accessory <NUM> at that particular time.

<FIG> show different schematics of powering the powered accessories. Specifically, <FIG> shows powering using a DC bus; <FIG> shows powering using an AC bus; and <FIG> shows powering using an electrically isolated system.

In <FIG>, an on-shore inverter (<NUM> in <FIG>) converts DC output from the solar photovoltaic modules <NUM> into AC power, and a DC bus <NUM> sends the DC power to the on-shore inverter. Advantages of using DC Bus <NUM> include lower DC ohmic losses, and the ability to use clipped power <NUM> with a constrained AC connection more easily. In addition, voltage droop control can be used.

In <FIG>, a dedicated on-board inverter <NUM> converts DC output from each of the solar photovoltaic modules into AC power, and an AC bus <NUM> is connected to the inverter for sending AC power to shore. Advantages of using AC bus <NUM> include the fact that any type of solar inverter <NUM> can be used, and off-the-shelf VFDs and AC motor drives can be used to power the aerators.

Lastly, in <FIG>, an advantage of an electrically isolated system is that, again, any type of solar inverter can be used.

Next, <FIG> show various layouts of the PV modules <NUM> using the present floating mounting system. Specifically, <FIG> (which corresponds to <FIG> and <FIG>) shows PV modules <NUM> in a portrait, south facing orientation. As can be seen, each PV module <NUM> has its own dedicated upper support pontoon <NUM>. <FIG> (which also corresponds to <FIG> and <FIG>) also shows the PV modules in a portrait, south facing orientation, but two PV modules <NUM> are sharing each upper support pontoon <NUM>. Fig. IOC (which also corresponds to <FIG> and <FIG>) shows the PV modules <NUM> laid out in a landscape, south facing orientation. <FIG> (which corresponds to <FIG>) shows the PV modules <NUM> mounted in portrait, but laid out in in an east-west facing orientation. Specifically, a two rows of upper support pontoons <NUM> are next to one another. For a large array, two rows of lower support pontoons <NUM> would be positioned next to one another. As seen in <FIG>, each of the PV modules <NUM> have their own dedicated upper support pontoon <NUM>. Lastly, <FIG> (which corresponds to <FIG>) shows PV modules <NUM> laid out in a portrait, east-west facing orientation, with the individual PV modules <NUM> sharing upper support pontoons <NUM>. As can be appreciated, a wide variety of different array configurations are possible with the present system (depending upon where the successive rows of pontoons <NUM> and <NUM> are positioned, and whether the PV modules <NUM> are positioned in portrait or landscape).

Claim 1:
A system for powering an accessory device with power generated on a floating solar photovoltaic (PV) array (<NUM>), comprising:
(a) a plurality of PV modules (<NUM>);
(b) a plurality of floating pontoons (<NUM>, <NUM>) for supporting the PV modules (<NUM>) above the water;
(c) an inverter (<NUM>, <NUM>) for receiving DC power from the PV modules (<NUM>) and converting the DC power to AC power, wherein the inverter has an AC power limit such that any power received above the AC Power limit would be clipped by the inverter;
(d) at least one powered accessory device (<NUM>);
(e) a power line (<NUM>) running from the floating solar array to an on-shore grid; and
(f) an energy management power control system (<NUM>) configured to send power that has been clipped by the inverter (<NUM>, <NUM>) to the at least one powered accessory device (<NUM>), wherein the energy management power control system is configured to send power to the at least one powered accessory device by adjustably changing the amounts of power received from each of the following power sources over a period of time:
power received from the PV modules (<NUM>) that has been clipped by the inverter (<NUM>, <NUM>),
power received from the PV modules (<NUM>) that has not been clipped by the inverter (<NUM>, <NUM>), and
power received from the on-shore grid.