A floating solar system, comprising a floating base having, a buoyance and a lower base frame coupled to the buoyance, a center frame coupled to the lower base frame, an anchor coupled to the lower base frame, a plurality of solar panels affixed to the lower base frame and the center frame to provide electrical power, a lightning rod coupled to the center frame and a lightning rod cap coupled to the lightning rod.

A floating solar system, comprising a floating base having, a buoyance and a lower base frame coupled to the buoyance, a center frame coupled to the lower base frame, an anchor coupled to the lower base frame, a plurality of solar panels affixed to the lower base frame and the center frame to provide electrical power, a lightning rod coupled to the center frame and a lightning rod cap coupled to the lightning rod.

A floating solar power plant (1) comprising a floating carrier module (3), wherein the floating carrier module (3) comprises photovoltaic modules (5) for electric power generation and a floating structure (50) provided with one or more buoyancy elements (9) extending into the water. The floating structure (50) further comprises a flexible means (53, 57, 57a, 57b) providing a change of shape of the floating structure when exposed to external forces, as the floating structure (50) comprises a plurality of interlinked rigid elements (51), wherein the rigid elements (51) are linked together with flexible means comprising flexible joints (53) to form a chain that encloses a center area (55). A method is also disclosed.

A floating solar power plant (1) comprising a floating carrier module (3), wherein the floating carrier module (3) comprises photovoltaic modules (5) for electric power generation and a floating structure (50) provided with one or more buoyancy elements (9) extending into the water. The floating structure (50) further comprises a flexible means (53, 57, 57a, 57b) providing a change of shape of the floating structure when exposed to external forces, as the floating structure (50) comprises a plurality of interlinked rigid elements (51), wherein the rigid elements (51) are linked together with flexible means comprising flexible joints (53) to form a chain that encloses a center area (55). A method is also disclosed.

A floating solar photovoltaic array having an energy management power control system configured to send power clipped by an inverter to the at least one powered accessory device which can 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 panel washer, or a bird removal system. The array has inflatable pontoons and an air manifold system which is powered by the solar photovoltaic modules can be used to adjust the angle of inclination of the solar photovoltaic modules to the sun. The powered accessories can also be powered by unclipped power or onshore power or combinations thereof which can be controllably adjusted by the energy management control system over time.

A photovoltaic module includes at least two cell assemblies externally contactable at connecting contacts, which are arranged linearly at the rear side of the photovoltaic module in groups of two connecting contacts which are allocated to the cell assemblies. One connection socket is arranged on a rear side of the photovoltaic module, this connection socket having a housing which has at least one rear opening for passing the connecting contact through, wherein the housing covers all connecting contacts of the photovoltaic module. In a connection socket for such a photovoltaic module, the housing has an elongated shape, wherein all connecting contacts are arranged in a line along a longitudinal direction of the housing.

A photovoltaic module includes at least two cell assemblies externally contactable at connecting contacts, which are arranged linearly at the rear side of the photovoltaic module in groups of two connecting contacts which are allocated to the cell assemblies. One connection socket is arranged on a rear side of the photovoltaic module, this connection socket having a housing which has at least one rear opening for passing the connecting contact through, wherein the housing covers all connecting contacts of the photovoltaic module. In a connection socket for such a photovoltaic module, the housing has an elongated shape, wherein all connecting contacts are arranged in a line along a longitudinal direction of the housing.

A solar module includes a laminate structure having at least two solar cells. Each of the solar cells has an individual reinforcement laminated to one face of each of the solar cells. The solar cells are spaced apart from each other and the individual reinforcements are spaced apart from each other such that a gap is defined between each of the solar cells. The solar module includes flexible conductors that extend through the gap between the solar cells and electrically connect the solar cells to each other.

A solar module includes a laminate structure having at least two solar cells. Each of the solar cells has an individual reinforcement laminated to one face of each of the solar cells. The solar cells are spaced apart from each other and the individual reinforcements are spaced apart from each other such that a gap is defined between each of the solar cells. The solar module includes flexible conductors that extend through the gap between the solar cells and electrically connect the solar cells to each other.

A ground-mounted system for supporting photovoltaic panels singularly or in an array of interconnected panels includes a support base, a plurality of legs connected to the support base on one side and to clips on an opposed side, where the clips connect to a photovoltaic panel.