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.

The invention provides a floating platform for solar panel arrays, comprised of at least one modular unit, comprising: a photovoltaic solar panel array; a pair of essentially triangular floats, having an angled upper side, for supporting said photovoltaic solar panel array at an angle; support bars connected above said floats and perpendicular to said angled upper side of said floats, supporting said photovoltaic solar panel array above said floats.

In some embodiments, the float may have an angled underside to provide buoyancy and rocking movement upon water. In some embodiments, the float is made of closed cell polyethylene foam.

A floating module for modular solar panel platforms having two separate components mounted, a structural component that is a rigid component and a buoyancy component that is a flexible component allowing for a more compact and simple solution all-around. The floating module allows for a technologically more advanced floating component, easier to produce, transport and deploy than most currently available solutions.

A floating module for modular solar panel platforms having two separate components mounted, a structural component that is a rigid component and a buoyancy component that is a flexible component allowing for a more compact and simple solution all-around. The floating module allows for a technologically more advanced floating component, easier to produce, transport and deploy than most currently available solutions.

A support apparatus for a photovoltaic module and a photovoltaic system are provided. The support apparatus for a photovoltaic module is to be arranged on a water surface, and includes: a support body for mounting the photovoltaic module; and a floating body connected to the support body and configured to provide buoyancy for the support apparatus. A connection function for providing connection with the photovoltaic module and a buoyancy function for providing the buoyancy are separated. The support body having the connection function may be used for providing only connection with the photovoltaic module and not for providing buoyancy. In manufacturing and installation processes, it is unnecessary for the support body to be watertight, thus the manufacturing process of the support body may be greatly simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

A support apparatus for a photovoltaic module and a photovoltaic system are provided. The support apparatus for a photovoltaic module is to be arranged on a water surface, and includes: a support body for mounting the photovoltaic module; and a floating body connected to the support body and configured to provide buoyancy for the support apparatus. A connection function for providing connection with the photovoltaic module and a buoyancy function for providing the buoyancy are separated. The support body having the connection function may be used for providing only connection with the photovoltaic module and not for providing buoyancy. In manufacturing and installation processes, it is unnecessary for the support body to be watertight, thus the manufacturing process of the support body may be greatly simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

A solar panel assembly includes a base having tubular bodies, a support unit including support frames connected between the tubular bodies and supporting rods extending upwardly from the supporting frames, a solar power panel disposed on the supporting rods, and a reflector plate disposed between the base and the solar panel to reflect light rays to a bottom surface of the solar panel. A solar power system includes a plurality of the aforesaid solar panel assemblies and multiple connectors.

A floating solar array made of a closed loop of flexible high density polyethylene pipes with elbows, T fittings and couplings. An anti-lift membrane fills with water and mitigates the wind forces. The array can have a stabilizing skirt going downwardly from the border of the array, especially when it is used offshore in the sea. A vertical axis tracking system with windlasses, two anchoring points and four mooring lines allows all the solar panels to face the sun throughout the day. For small lakes or mine tailing, the two anchor points will be onshore, on a concrete foundation. Winches to wind and unwind the mooring lines are located at the anchor point or on the solar array. For larger water areas, or offshore applications in the sea water, the anchor points are under water; using typically a concrete block or a suction pile solution for each anchor.

A floating solar array made of a closed loop of flexible high density polyethylene pipes with elbows, T fittings and couplings. An anti-lift membrane fills with water and mitigates the wind forces. The array can have a stabilizing skirt going downwardly from the border of the array, especially when it is used offshore in the sea. A vertical axis tracking system with windlasses, two anchoring points and four mooring lines allows all the solar panels to face the sun throughout the day. For small lakes or mine tailing, the two anchor points will be onshore, on a concrete foundation. Winches to wind and unwind the mooring lines are located at the anchor point or on the solar array. For larger water areas, or offshore applications in the sea water, the anchor points are under water; using typically a concrete block or a suction pile solution for each anchor.

A novel method of concentrating solar energy using wave generators is disclosed. The systems and methods enable the collection of energy over large area at high efficiencies and the concentrating of energy at a target for use and transfer.