Solar array system for covering a body of water

A solar panel array comprising:

• a plurality of panel receivers each having a plurality of solar panels mounted thereto, said solar panel array having a length and a width;
• each said panel receiver including a pair of spaced main struts, a plurality of strut stabilizers interconnecting said main struts, a center strut extending substantially perpendicular from said main struts and said strut stabilizers, and a plurality of strut cables, a first end of said strut cables being attached to a distal end of said center strut, and a second opposite end of said strut cables being attached to said main struts or said strut stabilizers;
• a plurality of columns positioned at exterior edges of said solar panel array;
• and
• a pair of spaced apart cable truss assemblies for supporting said plurality of panel receivers, each cable truss assembly including a first support cable and a second support cable each extending between respective columns, and a plurality of compression members interconnecting said first and second support cables, said first and second support cables being vertically oriented with one another, said first support cable having a first curvature, and said second cable having a second opposite curvature, said first and second support cables crossing one another and connected to one another along at least one lateral crossing point along a span of said cable truss assembly.

A method of shading and preventing evaporation of water from a body of water, and simultaneously producing electrical power by a solar panel array constructed over the body of water, said method comprising:

• providing a plurality of panel receivers each having a plurality of solar panels mounted thereto, said plurality of panel receivers being arranged in a combination defining the solar panel array having a length and a width;
• providing a plurality of columns positioned at exterior edges of said solar panel array and mounted to opposite sides of the body of water;
• providing a pair of spaced apart cable truss assemblies for supporting the plurality of panel receivers, each cable truss assembly including a first support cable and a second support cable each extending between respective columns, and a plurality of compression members interconnecting said first and second support cables, said first support cable having a first curvature, and said second cable having a second opposite curvature, said first and second support cables crossing one another and connected to one another along at least one lateral crossing point along a span of the cable truss assembly, wherein said panel receivers are connected to and supported by said first and second support cables;
• constructing the solar panel array so that the cable truss assemblies extends over the body of water and is supported on opposite lateral sides by said plurality of columns;
• and
• creating a shaded area under said solar panel array by said panel receives and solar panels.