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Title:
A FLOATING STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/030965
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a floating structure for solar panel installation comprising a base comprising a first base portion and a second base portion which are disposed parallel to each other, with the height of the second base portion greater than that of the first base portion, and a securing portion securing the first base portion and the second base portion of the base together. The first base portion, the second base portion and the securing portion are assembled to form a structure capable of supporting weight and floating. The securing portion is a flexible tube structure. The first base portion comprises a first horizontal tube portion disposed in a horizontal plane, and a second horizontal tube portion disposed below the first horizontal tube portion and disposed in the same direction. The second base portion comprises a first horizontal tube portion disposed in a horizontal plane, and a second horizontal tube portion disposed below the first horizontal tube portion and disposed in the same direction.

Inventors:
WONGCHANPEN NARISA (TH)
WANGRUNGSUB SUWAT (TH)
SUKSANKRAISORN KRIENGKRAI (TH)
KUMKRONG ATTAWUT (TH)
CHANGTHONG KITTIMASAK (TH)
KLUNGSUWAN PONTAWIT (TH)
PHETDEE KORAKOCH (TH)
Application Number:
PCT/TH2017/000059
Publication Date:
February 15, 2018
Filing Date:
August 08, 2017
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
SCG CHEMICALS CO LTD (TH)
CEMENTHAI ENERGY CONSERVATION CO LTD (TH)
International Classes:
H02S10/40
Foreign References:
JP3205385U2016-07-21
US20120279557A12012-11-08
CN104953934A2015-09-30
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
CHANGCHUMNI, Manoon (TH)
Download PDF:
Claims:
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS;

1. A floating structure for solar panel installation comprising:

- a base (1) comprising a first base portion (10) and a second base portion (20) which are disposed parallel to each other, with the height of the second base portion (20) greater than that of the first base portion (10); and

- a securing portion (3) securing the first base portion (10) and the second base portion (20) of the base (1) together

characterized in that the first base portion (10), the second base portion (20) and the securing portion (3) are assembled to form a structure capable of supporting weight and floating, and the securing portion (3) is a flexible tube structure.

2. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 1, wherein the base (1) comprises two first base portions (10) and one second base portion (20), wherein, when assembled in parallel to each other using the securing portion (3), the second base portion (20) is disposed centrically between the first base portions (10).

3. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the height of the second base portion (20) is greater than that of the first base portion (10) such that the slope of the solar panel installed on the structure is in the range of 0.5-20 degrees.

4. The floating structure for solar panel installation comprising:

- a base ( 1 ) comprising a first base portion ( 10) and a second base portion (20) which are disposed parallel to each other, with the height of the second base portion (20) greater than that of the first base portion (10); and

- a securing portion (3) securing the first base portion (10) and the second base portion (20) of the base (1) together

characterized in that the first base portion (10), the second base portion (20) and the securing portion (3) are assembled to form a structure capable of supporting weight and floating wherein the first base portion (10) comprising:

- a first horizontal tube portion (102) disposed in a horizontal plane;

- a second horizontal tube portion (104) disposed below the first horizontal tube portion (102) and disposed in the same direction. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 4, wherein the first horizontal tube portion (102) has at least two tubes disposed in the same horizontal plane, with their surfaces in contact.

The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 4, wherein the second horizontal tube portion (104) has at least two tubes disposed in the same plane, with their surfaces in contact.

The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 4, wherein the center points of the first horizontal tube portion (102) and the second horizontal tube portion (104) are vertically aligned.

The floating structure for solar panel installation comprising:

- a base (1 ) comprising a first base portion ( 10) and a second base portion (20) which are disposed parallel to each other, with the height of the second base portion (20) greater than that of the first base portion (10); and

- a securing portion (3) securing the first base portion (10) and the second base portion (20) of the base (1) together

characterized in that the first base portion (10), the second base portion (20) and the securing portion (3) are assembled to form a structure capable of supporting weight and floating

wherein the second base portion (20) comprising:

- a first horizontal tube portion (202) disposed in a horizontal plane;

- a second horizontal tube portion (204) disposed below the first horizontal tube portion (202) and disposed in the same direction.

The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 8, wherein the second base portion (20) preferably comprising:

- a horizontal rube portion (200) comprising

- a first horizontal tube portion (202) comprising at least two tubes disposed in a horizontal plane, wherein they are assembled in a horizontal plane, parallel to each other;

- a second horizontal tube portion (204) comprising at least two tubes disposed in a horizontal plane, wherein they are assembled in a horizontal plane, parallel to each other wherein the second horizontal rube portion (204) is assembled below the first horizontal tube portion (202) such that the center of the second horizontal tube portion (204) is aligned with the center of the first horizontal tube portion (202) and with their surfaces in contact;

- a vertical tube (206) comprising at least one tube, wherein it is assembled to the horizontal tube portion (200) in a perpendicular manner between the two tubes of the first horizontal tube portion (202) and between the two tubes of the second horizontal tube portion (204); and

- a panel-supporting tube portion (208) comprising at least one panel-supporting tube (210), wherein it is assembled over the vertical tube (206) parallel to the horizontal tube portion (200) to support and/or for the installation of solar panel.

10. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 9, wherein the panel- supporting tube portion (208) further comprises an anti-slide tube set (212) comprising at least two tubes disposed at both sides of the panel-supporting tube (210) preferably in such manner that upon assembly of the anti-slide tube set (212) and the panel-supporting tube (210) over the vertical tube (206), the anti-slide tube set (212) is below the panel- supporting tube (210).

11. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to any one of the preceding claims further comprises a locking member (40) for locking the sides of the first base portion (10) and/or the second base portion (20) of the base (1), preferably the locking member (40) is a hollow cylindrical tube.

12. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to any one of the preceding claims further comprises a securing tube (50) for fitting to and/or locking the top and/or the bottom of the first base portion (10) and/or the second base portion (20) of the base (1) to enhance the tightness and stability in the assembly of the first base portion (10) and/or the second base portion (20) of the base (1), the securing tube (50) is preferably a hollow cylindrical tube comprising a fixing hole (51) for fitting with the locking member (40).

13. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first base portion (10) and/or the second base portion (20) of the base (1) is a tube, preferably a hollow tube, comprising a water-blocking portion (A) which is a hollow tube with two closed ends and an opened end portion (B) which is a hollow tube having at least one opened end disposed at the ends of the water-blocking portion (A), wherein the water-blocking portion (A) and the opened end portion (B) are disposed at an appropriate distance to form a room inside the tube in which the water cannot enter and to form a structure capable of supporting weight and floating.

14. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to any one of the preceding claims further comprises an assembly of the floating structures using a joint tube (60) which is a hollow tube fitted to the opened end portion (B) of the base (1) and/or fitted to the ends of the securing portion (3) of each floating structure in a close-fitting manner to assemble each floating structure.

15. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 14, wherein the assembly of the floating structure further comprises fitting a securing tube (70) which is a hollow tube to the joint tube (60), which is fitted to the opened end portion (B) of the base (1) and/or fitted to the ends of the securing portion (3) of each floating structure, to enhance the tightness and stability in assembling each floating structure together.

16. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a material used to produce the floating structure is a polymer resin which is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate and a mixture thereof.

17. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 16, wherein the material used to produce the floating structure further comprises carbon black-based UV stabilizer in an amount of between 0.1-5% by weight of the polymer resin.

18. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the material used to produce the floating structure further comprises phenolic-type primary antioxidant in an amount of between 0.01-1% by weight of the polymer resin.

19. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 16 or 17 or 18, wherein the material used to produce the floating structure further comprises phosphate- type secondary antioxidant in an amount of between 0.01-1% by weight of the polymer resin.

20. The floating structure for solar panel installation comprising:

- a base (1) comprising a first base portion (10) and a second base portion (20) which are disposed parallel to each other, with the height of the second base portion (20) greater than that of the first base portion (10);

- a securing portion (3) which is a flexible tube structure for securing the first base portion (10) and the second base portion (20) of the base (1) together to form a structure capable of supporting weight and floating characterized in that the first base portion (10) is a flexible tube structure formed of at least two tubes and the second base portion (20) is a flexible tube structure formed of at least two tubes, and further comprising a locking member (40) which is a plate with an opening (5) into which the first base portion (10) is inserted and/or into which the second base portion (20) is inserted.

21. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 20, wherein the locking member (40) is drilled to form a hole (52) for the wiring of a solar panel (S).

22. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 20, wherein the base (1) comprises two first base portions (10) and one second base portion (20), being assembled together using the securing portion (3), wherein the second base portion (20) is parallelly disposed centrically between the first base portions (10), collectively referred to as one unit.

23. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 22 further comprising a supporting plate (6) which is a plate disposed above a connecting section between two adjacent units of the floating structure for solar panel installation.

24. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 20 further comprising a fastener (7) which is a member that locks the securing portion (3) to the locking member (40).

25. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 20, wherein the fastener (7) is a U- or C-shaped member which is inserted into the locking member (40).

26. The floating structure for solar panel installation according to claim 25, wherein the ends of the fastener (7) are threaded and further comprise a nut (71) which assists the fastener (7) in locking the securing portion (3) to the locking member (40).

Description:
A FLOATING STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention belongs to the engineering field related to a floating structure for solar panel installation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The electricity consumption rate today tends to increase. The main energy source used to generate the electricity are fuels such as fuel oil and coal. However, the electricity generation using said energy source negatively affects the environment due to the emission of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. The fuel oil and coal resources also tend to decrease. Therefore, there is an effort to develop renewable energy for using in the electricity generation to respond to the need and support the industrial and business growth.

One of the popular renewable energy sources is solar energy which is a clean, renewable energy. However, there are still limitations to the efficiency of converting solar energy into electric power such as the limited space for installing the solar panel on the ground. Therefore, there is an effort to install the solar panel on water such as sea, marsh or other water sources. There are many advantages of installing the solar panel on water, i.e., it is a way to exploit the existing water sources more effectively and create shades under water. Also, the solar panel installed on water can generate electricity more effectively than that installed on the ground because the heat generated on the solar panel is reduced thanks to the heat exchanging between the solar panel and water which has lower temperature. Nevertheless, the problems with installing the solar panel on water are that it requires a large investment on the installation of a buoy for supporting the solar panel, many complicated installation devices are used, the unresi stance to the impact of wind, and the buoy is not stable as it can be eroded, becomes swollen, etc.

The inventor had searched for the prior arts related to a floating structure for solar panel installation but did not find any prior art that can solve such problems, for example,

Korean patent no. KR1282521B1 that develops a structure of a buoy base and a structure for securing a solar panel which provides convenience in assembling the two parts together. However, said patent still requires the use of a big buoy as a base, additional joints, and a complicated installation method which make the cost of installing a solar panel on water or sea very high. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a floating structure for solar panel installation comprising a base comprising a first base portion and a second base portion which are disposed parallel to each other, with the height of the second base portion greater than that of the first base portion; and a securing portion securing the first base portion to the second base portion. The first base portion, the second base portion and the securing portion are assembled to form a structure capable of supporting weight and floating. The securing portion is a flexible tube structure. The first base portion comprises a first horizontal tube portion disposed in a horizontal plane; and a second horizontal tube portion disposed below the first horizontal tube portion and disposed in the same direction. The second base portion comprises a first horizontal tube portion disposed in a horizontal plane; and a second horizontal tube portion disposed below the first horizontal tube portion and disposed in the same direction.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a floating structure for solar panel installation that can be easily assembled and installed without having to use complex device for assembling, thus the assembly and installation are done in a short amount of time, the cost and labor are reduced, and a flexible structure capable of resisting the impact of wind and adjustable to the level of liquid surface where the floating structure contacts is provided. Moreover, the floating structure according to the present invention has an open structure that allows effective ventilation at the bottom of the solar panel, therefore generating more electricity than a closed, floating structure such as a buoy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the floating structure for solar panel installation.

Figure 1 A is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the assembly of the area A, according to Figure 1.

Figure IB is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the assembly of the area B, according to Figure 1.

Figure 1 C is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the assembly of the area C, according to Figure 1.

Figure ID is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the assembly of the area D, according to Figure 1. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the assembly of each floating structure with the solar panel installed.

Figure 2A is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the assembly of the area A according to Figure 2.

Figure 2B is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the assembly of the area B according to Figure 2.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the floating structure for solar panel installation.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the locking member.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the locking member.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the floating structure for solar panel installation with the solar panel installed.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the floating structure for solar panel installation with four units of solar panel installed adjacently.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the supporting plate.

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the supporting plate.

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the fastener.

Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the assembly of the floating structure for solar panel installation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detail of the present invention will be described more clearly with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the floating structure for solar panel installation according to the present invention, wherein the base 1 comprising a first base portion 10 and a second base portion 20 which are disposed parallel to each other, with the height of the second base portion 20 greater than that of the first base portion 10; and a securing portion 3 securing the first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20 of the base 1 together, characterized in that the first base portion 10, the second base portion 20 and the securing portion 3 are assembled to form a structure capable of supporting weight and floating, and the securing portion 3 is a flexible tube structure.

A structure capable of supporting weight and floating means a structure that has a lower density than water or has a density less than 1 g/cm 3 . The structure can also remain floating while supporting the weight of the solar panel and/or other weights such as those of the solar panel installation device, people who come to inspect, maintain the solar panel, etc.

A flexible structure encompasses the bending, the curving and the arcuating of tube, tube structure, etc.

A tube encompasses tube members, tubes, a set of tubes that are different in shape such as cylindrical tube and angular tube, and/or different in characteristic such as a hollow tube, a tube containing floating-support agents such as foam, and/or different in size, thickness, length, etc.

The advantage of such embodiment is that the level of the floating structure can be adjusted according to the level of the liquid surface where the floating structure contacts. It can also resist the impact of wind and water waves, thanks to the securing portion 3 that secures the first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20, which is a flexible tube structure, that is it has a resilient body and not a rigid body.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, the securing portion 3 is a tube, preferably a hollow tube, which comprises fixing hole 31.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, the base 1 comprises two first base portions 10 and one second base portion 20, wherein, when assembled in parallel to each other using the securing portion 3, the second base portion 20 is disposed centrically between the first base portions 10.

The advantage of such embodiment is that the solar panel S can be disposed in two directions at the same time on the floating structure, as shown in Figure 2. The floating structure according to the present invention thus becomes more effective in terms of electricity generation due to more solar incidence angles at the solar panel which allow it to obtain the light at all times. It also eases the problem of the wind impact, unlike the buoy structure which has the solar panel S that can be disposed in only one direction.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, the height of the second base portion 20 is greater than that of the first base portion 10 such that the slope of the solar panel installed on the structure is in the range of 0.5-20 degrees, preferably in the range of 5-15 degrees, most preferably in the range of 10-15 degrees.

The advantage of such embodiment is that the solar panel installed in such slope range can effectively obtain sunlight. There will be no adhesion of dust and/or water which compromises the electricity generation. It also eases the problem of the wind impact. An embodiment of the floating structure for solar panel installation according to the present invention comprises a base 1 comprising a first base portion 10 and a second base portion 20 which are disposed parallel to each other, with the height of the second base portion 20 greater than that of the first base portion 10; and a securing portion 3 securing the first base portion 10 and the second base portion of the base 1 together, characterized in that the first base portion 10, the second base portion 20 and the securing portion 3 are assembled to form a structure capable of supporting weight and floating. The first base portion 10 comprises a first horizontal tube portion 102 disposed in a horizontal plane, and a second horizontal tube portion 104 disposed below the first horizontal tube portion 102 and disposed in the same direction.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, the first horizontal tube portion

102 has at least two tubes disposed in the same horizontal plane, with their surfaces in contact.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, the second horizontal tube portion 104 has at least two tubes disposed in the same plane, with their surfaces in contact.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, the center points of the first horizontal tube portion 102 and the second horizontal tube portion 104 are vertically aligned.

The advantage of such embodiment is that the floating structure provides an area for an inspection walk and also supports the weight of the inspectors.

An embodiment of the floating structure for solar panel installation according to the present invention comprises a base 1 comprising a first base portion 10 and a second base portion 20 which are disposed parallel to each other, with the height of the second base portion 20 greater than that of the first base portion 10; and a securing portion 3 securing the first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20 of the base 1 together, characterized in that the first base portion 10, the second base portion 20 and the securing portion 3 are assembled to form a structure capable of supporting weight and floating. The second base portion 20 comprises a first horizontal tube portion 202 disposed in a horizontal plane; a second horizontal tube portion 204 disposed below the first horizontal tube portion 202 and disposed in the same direction.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, the second base portion 20 preferably comprises a horizontal tube portion 200 comprising a first horizontal tube portion 202 comprising at least two tubes disposed in a horizontal plane, wherein they are assembled in a horizontal plane, parallel to each other; a second horizontal tube portion 204 comprising at least two tubes disposed in a horizontal plane, wherein they are assembled in a horizontal plane, parallel to each other, the second horizontal tube portion 204 being assembled below the first horizontal tube portion 202 such that the center of the second horizontal tube portion 204 is aligned with the center of the first horizontal tube portion 202 and with their surfaces in contact; a vertical tube 206 comprising at least one tube, wherein it is assembled to the horizontal tube portion 200 in a perpendicular manner between the two tubes of the first horizontal tube portion 202 and between the two tubes of the second horizontal tube portion 204; and a panel-supporting tube portion 208 comprising at least one panel-supporting tube 210, wherein it is assembled over the vertical tube 206 parallel to the horizontal tube portion 200 to support and/or for the installation of solar panel S.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, the vertical tube 206 of the second base portion 20 comprises a concave portion at the upper end of the vertical tube 206 for accommodating the panel supporting tube 210 of the panel-supporting tube portion 208 of the second base portion 20 in a fitting manner, and/or a fixing hole 207.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, the panel-supporting tube portion 208 further comprises an anti-slide tube set 212 comprising at least two tubes disposed at both sides of the panel-supporting tube 210 preferably in such manner that upon assembly of the anti-slide tube set 212 and the panel supporting tube 210 over the vertical tube 206, the anti- slide tube set 212 is below the panel supporting tube 210.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, the anti-slide tube set 212 of the panel-supporting tube portion 208 is assembled to the vertical tube 206 with, for example, screws and/or adhesive.

The advantage of such embodiment is that the anti-slide tube set 212 will hold the panel- supporting tube portion 208 and it also constitute the area where the solar panel S is attached to the floating structure with screws.

An embodiment of the floating structure for solar panel installation according to the present invention further comprises a locking member 40 for locking the sides of the first base portion 10 and/or the second base portion 20 of the base 1. The locking member 40 is preferably a hollow cylindrical tube.

An embodiment of the floating structure for solar panel installation according to the present invention further comprises a securing tube 50 for fitting to and/or locking the top and/or the bottom of the first base portion 10 and/or the second base portion 20 of the base 1 to enhance the tightness and stability in the assembly of the first base portion 10 and/or the second base portion 20 of the base 1. The securing tube 50 is preferably a hollow cylindrical tube comprising a fixing hole 51 for fitting to the locking member 40. In an embodiment according to the present invention, the first base portion 10 and/or the second base portion 20 of the base 1 is a tube, preferably a hollow tube, most preferably a hollow cylindrical tube, comprising a water-blocking portion A which is a hollow tube with two closed ends and an opened end portion B which is a hollow tube having at least one opened end disposed at the ends of the water-blocking portion A, the water-blocking portion A and the opened end portion B being disposed at an appropriate distance to form a room inside the tube in which the water cannot enter and to form a structure capable of supporting weight and floating.

An embodiment of the assembly of the hollow tubes, which comprises the water- blocking portion A and the opened end portion B disposed at each end of the water-blocking portion A, is formed by thermally connecting three hollow tubes together, with a plastic plate connected to separate each of said hollow tubes.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, the opened end portion B of the first base portion 10 and/or the second base portion 20 of the base 1 comprises a fixing hole Bl for fitting with the securing tube 50.

The assembly of the securing tube 50 to the fixing hole Bl of the open end B of the first base portion 10 and/or the second base portion 20 of the base 1 further comprises securing with screws and or adhesive to enhance the tightness and stability of the floating structure.

An embodiment of the assembly of the floating structure consists of using the securing portion 3, which comprises two hollow tubes, to cover the top and bottom of the first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20 of the base 1 and inserting the locking member 40 into the fixing hole 31 of the securing portion 3 in a fitting manner to secure the securing portion 3 to the base 1 and to lock each side of the first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20 of the base 1.

An embodiment of the assembly of the floating structure consists of using the securing portion 3, which comprises two hollow tubes, to cover the top and bottom of the first base portion 10 and fit to the fixing hole 207 of the vertical tube 206 of the second base portion 20 of the base 1 in a fitting manner and cover the top of the first horizontal tube portion 202 and the bottom of the second horizontal tube portion 204 of the second base portion 20; and inserting the locking member 40 into the fixing hole 31 of the securing portion 3 in a fitting manner to secure the securing portion 3 to the base 1 and lock each side of the first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20 of the base 1. An embodiment of the assembly of the floating structure consists of fitting the securing tube 50 to the fixing hole Bl of the open end B of the first base portion 10 and/or the second base portion 20 of the base 1; and inserting the locking member 40 into the fixing hole 51 of the securing tube 50 in a fitting manner to lock each side of the first base portion 10 and/or the second base portion 20 of the base 1.

An embodiment of the assembly of the floating structure consists of using the securing tube 50, which comprises two hollow tubes, to cover the top and bottom of the first base portion 10 and/or the second base portion 20 of the base 1; and inserting the locking member 40 into the fixing hole 51 of the securing tube 50 in a fitting manner to lock each side of the first base portion 10 and/or the second base portion 20 of the base 1.

An embodiment of the assembly of the floating structure consists of fitting the securing tube 50, which comprises two hollow tubes, to the fixing hole 207 of the vertical tube 206 of the second base portion 20 of the base 1 in a fitting manner and cover the top of the first horizontal tube portion 202 and the bottom of the second horizontal tube portion 204 of the second base portion 20; inserting the locking member 40 into the fixing hole 51 of the securing tube 50 in a fitting manner to lock each side of the second base portion 20 of the base 1.

An embodiment of the assembly of the floating structure consists of fitting the securing portion 3 to the fixing hole Bl of the opened end portion B of the first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20 of the base 1 in a fitting manner; and inserting the locking member 40 into the fixing hole 31 of the securing portion 3 in a fitting manner to lock each side of the first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20 of the base 1.

The assembly of the locking member 40 to the securing portion 3 and/or the securing tube 50 further comprises securing with screws and/or adhesive to enhance the stability and tightness of the floating structure.

According to the present invention, the density of the floating structure is less than 1 g/cm 3 , preferably in the range of 0.1-0.5 g cm 3 , most preferably in the range of 0.3-0.5 g/cm 3 .

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the assembly of the floating structure using a joint tube 60 which is a hollow tube fitted to the opened end portion B of the base 1 and/or fitted to the end of the securing portion 3 of each floating structure in a close-fitting manner, i.e., the external circumference of the joint tube 60 equals the internal circumference of the open end B of the base 1 and/or the internal circumference of the end of the securing portion 3 in order to securely assemble each floating structure together. An embodiment of the assembly of the floating structure further comprises fitting the securing tube 70, which is a hollow tube, to the joint tube 60 which is fitted to the opened end portion B of the base 1 in a fitting manner to enhance the tightness and stability in assembling each floating structure.

An embodiment of the assembly of the floating structure further comprises fitting the locking member 40 to the joint tube 60 which is fitted to the securing portion 3 and/or fitted to the securing tubes 50 in a fitting manner to enhance the tightness and stability in assembling each floating structure.

The assembly of the floating structure further comprises securing with screws and/or adhesive to enhance the stability and tightness of the floating structure.

In some embodiments of the floating structure, to facilitate the locking of the base 1 , the locking member 40 is a plate with openings 5 which allow the insertion of the first base portion 10 into the openings 5 and/or the insertion of the second base portion 20 into the openings 5.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the floating structure for solar panel installation according to the present invention which comprises a base 1 , a securing portion 3 and a locking member 40.

The base 1 comprises a first base portion 10 and a second base portion 20 which are disposed parallel to each other, with the height of the second base portion 20 greater than that of the first base portion 10. The first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20 are flexible tube structures formed of at least two tubes arranged as a set and are structures capable of supporting weight and floating.

The securing portion 3 is a flexible tube structure for securing the first base portion 10 and the second base portion 20 of the base 1 to form a structure capable of supporting weight and floating.

In an embodiment according to the present invention, the locking member 40 is a plate made of robust materials. It is drilled to form the openings 5 into which the first base portion 10 can be inserted and/or into which the second base portion 20 can be inserted to lock each of the base 1 into a group.

Shown in Figure 4 is the locking member 40 with the openings 5 designed to be compatible with the first base portion 10, which is arranged as a bundle of four tubes. The size of the openings 5 is slightly larger than or the same with that of the tubes to allow them to be inserted and to remain grouped as the first base portion 10. Shown in Figure 5 is the locking member 40 with the openings 5 designed to be compatible with the second base portion 20. As the height of the second base portion 20 is greater than that of the first base portion 10, the locking member 40 used with the second base portion 20 is longer and additional openings 5 are made in a higher position for the higher-disposed tubes. The locking member 40 may be drilled to form a hole 52 for the wiring of the solar panel S.

As shown in Figure 6, a unit of the floating structure comprises two first base portions 10 and one second base portion 20, wherein when assembled parallel to each other with the securing portion 3, the second base portion 20 is disposed centrically between the first base portions 10 above the base 1, thus assembled to the solar panel S.

The floating structure further comprises a supporting plate 6 which is a plate disposed on the top of a connecting section between two units of the floating structure. The supporting plate 6 serves as a footpath for the operators on the floating structure, allowing them to walk around to inspect or repair the solar panel S when it has problems as it can support the weight of the operators.

Shown in Figure 7 is an embodiment of the assembly of four units of the floating structure with the supporting plate 6 assembled between the floating structures. Shown in Figure 8 and 9 is the supporting plate 6 in different embodiments that are suitable for disposing crosswise and lengthwise of the floating structure. The ends of the supporting plate 6 are folded to hook with the base 1.

In an embodiment of assembling the securing portion 3 to the floating structure, a fastener 7 is used for securing. As shown in Figure 10, the fastener 7 is a member that locks the securing portion 3 to the locking member 40 and has a U or C shape inserted into the locking member 40. Moreover, the ends of the fastener 7 are threaded and further comprise a nut 71, which assists the fastener 7 in locking the securing portion 3 to the locking member 40 by rotating the nut 71 until it fits the thread of the fastener 7.

In assembling the fastener 7, the locking member 40 is drilled to form two holes into which the fastener 7 can be inserted, the holes being slightly bigger than or the same size as the legs of the fastener 7. When placing the securing portion 3 adjacent to the locking member 40, the fastener 7 will be inserted into the holes of the locking member 40, straddling and fastening the securing portion 3 to the locking member 40. The nut 71 then will be locked to the thread at the legs of the fastener 7, which penetrate to the other side of the locking member 40 which is threaded.

As shown in Figure 11, the first base portion 10 and/or the second base portion 20 of the base 1 is a tube, preferably a hollow tube, most preferably a cylindrical hollow tube, comprising a water-blocking portion A which is a hollow tube with two closed ends and an opened end portion B, which is a hollow tube having at least one open end disposed at the ends of the water-blocking portion A. The water-blocking portion A and the opened end portion B are disposed at an appropriate distance to form a room inside the tube in which the water cannot enter and to form a structure capable of supporting weight and floating.

The advantage of the floating structure according to the present invention is that the main structure and securing and locking members are composed of tubes, thus the floating structure is lightweight. The use of securing device such as clamp and claw is reduced. Each member and/or part can be detached, therefore providing convenience in the transportation and saving cargo space. The assembly can be done easily, conveniently and quickly. The size and angles of the floating structure can be adjusted as needed. The floating structure according to the present invention is also open, allowing for effective ventilation at the bottom of the solar panel, therefore generating more electricity than a closed, floating structure such as a buoy. It also facilitates the friction from the wind, resulting in good resistance to wind and improved floating efficiency.

A material used to produce the floating structure is a polymer resin which is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate and a mixture thereof. The most preferred polymer is polyethylene with a density in the range of 0.930-0.970 g/cm 3 . The polyethylene used in the tube production creates a floatable tube that can effectively endure chemicals and weather. It is also an excellent electrical insulator.

The material used to produce the floating structure further comprises carbon black-based UV stabilizer in an amount of between 0.1-5% by weight of the polymer resin.

The material used to produce the floating structure further comprises phenolic-type primary antioxidant in an amount of between 0.01-1% by weight of the polymer resin.

The material used to produce the floating structure further comprises phosphate-type secondary antioxidant in an amount of between 0.01-1% by weight of the polymer resin.

The material used to produce the floating structure further comprises fillers, heat stabilizers, etc.

According to the present invention, the material used to produce the floating structure are not harmful to the environment. They do not contain heavy metals/toxic chemicals which may contaminate the water source where the floating structure is installed. The materials preferably have the same compositions with those used to produce drinking water pipes. BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

Best mode of the invention is as disclosed in the detailed description of the invention.