Our floating PV and modular anchoring systems
The calculation methodology and design of the mooring system of the Hydrelio® photovoltaic farm is found in compliance with the applicable Rules and Regulations Bureau Veritas NR 493 – Classification of Mooring systems for Permanent and Mobile Offshore Units.
The methodology applied for calculation of mooring loads and associated safety factors have also been found in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations.
Floating PV and anchoring are indivisible, that’s why we continuously aim at improving our knowledge and adapting our design methods in what is the keystone of a floating PV plant.
In addition to providing our Hydrelio® technology, we bring our expertise in anchoring by offering tailor-made solutions. We configure our systems according to meteorological, site and local constraints. Depending on the situation, we will choose to anchor the platform at the bottom or on the banks of the reservoir; mixing both solutions is an option too. Because each project has a unique set of challenges, we customize our anchoring designs and anchoring solutions in accordance with technical specifications that ensure durability and resistance, to environmental conditions like wind, waves and current. To secure the general mooring deployment of your floating PV project and provide you the best combined and guaranteed solution, our engineering service encompasses:
- Site-specific design
- Material supply
- Installation work
ANCHORS INSTALLED
MAX. TESTED DEPTH
MAX. TESTED WATER VARIATION
OUR FLOATING PV CAN BE INSTALLED USING DIFFERENT TYPES OF ANCHORING
Before considering the construction of a floating PV plant, each site is subjected to specific environmental and technical studies to evaluate the feasibility of your project, like topography and bathymetry.
Floating solar is compatible with many kinds of water bodies. The different applications to floating PV have all a level of technical complexity that will determine the choice of the anchoring system.
Topography
Soil composition
Bathymetry
Water Depth
Water Level Variation
Wind
The type of anchoring depends on several parameters proper to the site configuration and conditions, like soil composition, space available around the reservoir, wind loads or water variations. All these parameters are defined thanks to in-depth studies.
The environmental impact is also a primary factor in the evaluation of the solution adopted.
Type of anchoring depends on several parameters proper to the site configuration and conditions, like soil composition, space available around the reservoir, wind loads or water variations. All these parameters are defined thanks to in-depth studies.
The environmental impact is also a primary factor in the evaluation of the solution adopted.
How to Anchor floating solar panels?
Once assembled with the PV panels, the floating platform is towed to the specified location. The platform is then anchored to stay in a fixed position to avoid hitting the banks while following water level variation. The anchoring system design is usually composed of:
- Aluminum spreader bars fixed on the floats to enable the connection of the mooring lines to the island and spread the load through the two connection ears of the floats.
- Cables to link spreader bars to anchors, sized as per water level variation.
- Chains at the end of the cables to adjust length.
- Anchors to moor the island on the bottom or on the banks to withstand wind loads and to reduce movement of the island on the water surface.
- Shackles to link each component: anchor and cable, cable and chain, chain and spreader bar.
