A solar float device for use in a livestock watering facility to inhibit the freezing of water in a livestock watering facility. The solar float device having upper and lower shells that are connected to each other. The upper shell encloses an air space and the lower shell encloses a ballast space. A bulkhead is connected to the lower shell and separates the air and ballast spaces. A ballast material contained within the ballast space maintains the float device upright in the water and is thermally conductive for receiving and storing heat generated by the solar float device from solar radiation. An energy absorbing element contacts the lower shell and at least a portion is arranged either at or above the level of the water such that the energy absorbing element is exposed to the solar radiation for absorbing the solar radiation and converting the solar radiation into heat.

A solar float device for use in a livestock watering facility to inhibit the freezing of water in a livestock watering facility. The solar float device having upper and lower shells that are connected to each other. The upper shell encloses an air space and the lower shell encloses a ballast space. A bulkhead is connected to the lower shell and separates the air and ballast spaces. A ballast material contained within the ballast space maintains the float device upright in the water and is thermally conductive for receiving and storing heat generated by the solar float device from solar radiation. An energy absorbing element contacts the lower shell and at least a portion is arranged either at or above the level of the water such that the energy absorbing element is exposed to the solar radiation for absorbing the solar radiation and converting the solar radiation into heat.

A rotating floating platform, adapted to accommodate energy production systems, namely solar panels but not limited to these systems. The technology now developed provides rotational movement to the entire platform, on the plane of the aquatic medium where it floats, being its rotation capacity independent of fixed and rigid structures. In order to achieve this independency, the rotating floating platform comprises a central floating module connected directly or indirectly to at least two propulsion modules, where the connection to the bottom of the basin being provided through a flexible mooring unit forming a rotation floating structure where the momentum and the rotation axis act as one, thus creating a rotation platform.

A rotating floating platform, adapted to accommodate energy production systems, namely solar panels but not limited to these systems. The technology now developed provides rotational movement to the entire platform, on the plane of the aquatic medium where it floats, being its rotation capacity independent of fixed and rigid structures. In order to achieve this independency, the rotating floating platform comprises a central floating module connected directly or indirectly to at least two propulsion modules, where the connection to the bottom of the basin being provided through a flexible mooring unit forming a rotation floating structure where the momentum and the rotation axis act as one, thus creating a rotation platform.

An offshore photovoltaic power plant (100) comprising a pliable mat (2) configured to be arranged on a surface (33) of a body of water, the mat (2) having a plurality of photovoltaic modules (1) fixed thereon. The photovoltaic modules may be marinized and equipped with a buoyant rigid aluminium structure which prevents mechanical damage to the cells. The rigid backside structure may also serve as an efficient heat sink by direct thermal conduction from the solar cells to the pliable mat. There is also provided a fish farm, an offshore power plant, a method of constructing an offshore photovoltaic power plant and a method of installing a floating photovoltaic power plant.

An offshore photovoltaic power plant (100) comprising a pliable mat (2) configured to be arranged on a surface (33) of a body of water, the mat (2) having a plurality of photovoltaic modules (1) fixed thereon. The photovoltaic modules may be marinized and equipped with a buoyant rigid aluminium structure which prevents mechanical damage to the cells. The rigid backside structure may also serve as an efficient heat sink by direct thermal conduction from the solar cells to the pliable mat. There is also provided a fish farm, an offshore power plant, a method of constructing an offshore photovoltaic power plant and a method of installing a floating photovoltaic power plant.

A barge for renewable energy recourses is disclosed that comprises a plurality of horizontal axis wind turbines, a plurality of photovoltaic panels; and a plurality of sea-wave generators. The energy harvested by the renewable energy recourses is transformed to electrical energy and the electrical energy is transmitted to a grid onshore. A fleet of a plurality of barges located in deep waters is disclosed as well.

A solar vapor generator includes an absorber to absorb sunlight and an emitter, in thermal communication with the absorber, to radiatively evaporate a liquid under less than 1 sun illumination and without pressurization. The emitter is physically separated from the liquid, substantially reducing fouling of the emitter. The absorber and the emitter may also be heated to temperatures higher than the boiling point of the liquid and may thus may be used to further superheat the vapor. Solar vapor generation can provide the basis for many sustainable desalination, sanitization, and process heating technologies.

A solar vapor generator includes an absorber to absorb sunlight and an emitter, in thermal communication with the absorber, to radiatively evaporate a liquid under less than 1 sun illumination and without pressurization. The emitter is physically separated from the liquid, substantially reducing fouling of the emitter. The absorber and the emitter may also be heated to temperatures higher than the boiling point of the liquid and may thus may be used to further superheat the vapor. Solar vapor generation can provide the basis for many sustainable desalination, sanitization, and process heating technologies.

A screw member, a fastening structure, and a connection structure for a solar panel float which can facilitate the fastening operation performed by a screw. A pair of screw members is provided with a male screw member and a female screw member. One of the male screw member and the female screw member has a body portion at least partly inserted into a through-hole provided in an object to be fastened, and a temporary fixing portion provided adjacent to an end of the body portion and locked in the object to be fastened so as to prevent the body portion from deviating from the through-hole during a fastening operation.