# US 2014/0190556 A1 · Solar array system for covering a body of water > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190556 A1 - Document ID: US20140190556A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/848,646 - Filed: 2013-03-21 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2003-04-02 - Assignees: P4P Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Steven J. Conger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190556A1 ## CPC - H10F 19/00: Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one photovoltaic cell covered by group H10F10/00, e.g. photovoltaic modules - E02B 1/00: Equipment or apparatus for, or methods of, general hydraulic engineering {, e.g. protection of constructions against ice-strains (protection of offshore constructions against ice-loads E02B17/0021; ice-structures as artificial islands E02B17/028)} - E02B 5/00: Artificial water canals, {e.g. irrigation canals}(for water-power plants E02B9/02; irrigation of soil E02B13/00) - F24S 25/10: extending in directions away from a supporting surface - F24S 25/50: comprising elongate non-rigid elements, e.g. straps, wires or ropes - F24S 80/60: Thermal insulation (transparent coverings F24S80/50) - H02S 20/10: Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground (H02S20/30 takes precedence) - F24S 2025/014: {Methods for installing support elements} - Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION - E02B: HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING (ship-lifting E02C; dredging E02F) - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract Systems and methods for supporting a solar panel array are disclosed, with embodiments specifically directed to spanning bodies of water such as aqueducts, canals, or other waterways. Cable truss assemblies are used to support panel receivers and solar panels mounted over the panel receivers. The cable truss assemblies are supported on groups of columns or other vertically extending support members anchored in the ground. Cable anchor lines may supplement anchoring and support of the installed solar panel array. Embodiments of the system include various combinations of supporting cables making up the cable truss assemblies. A method is also provided for construction of the solar panel array. Lengthy and continuous spans of the solar panel array can be installed over waterways by use of the cable truss assemblies. The solar panel arrays produce power, and simultaneously reduce evaporation from the waterways, resulting in conservation of water. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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; a plurality of columns positioned at exterior edges of said solar panel array; a pair of spaced apart cable truss assemblies, 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 support cable having a second opposite curvature, said first and second support cables crossing one another and connected to one another along two lateral crossing points spaced along a span of the cable truss assembly; said panel receivers connected to and supported by said pair of spaced cable truss assemblies; and a plurality of anchor cables connected to and extending from said respective columns. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An array, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said compression members interconnect said first and second support cables along a center area of said cable truss assembly between said crossing points, and said center area between said first and second support cables having a generally elliptical shape. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An array, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said solar panels extending over said solar array are mounted to the array in three convex shaped areas, a first convex area located over a center area, and two lateral convex areas located on opposite lateral sides of said center area. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An array, as claimed in claim 1, further including: an extension support assembly connected to and extending above each column. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An array, as claimed in claim 4, wherein: said extension support assembly includes a plurality of extension supports extending vertically, and an upper lateral support interconnecting upper ends of said extension supports. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An array, as claimed in claim 1, further including: a plurality of cantilevered supports connected to corresponding cable truss assemblies, said cantilevered supports extending laterally beyond said cable truss assemblies for extending a length to which said panel receivers and solar panels may be mounted. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An array, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: each said cable truss assembly includes a plurality of cable truss assemblies spaced from one another longitudinally along the length of the array, said cable truss assemblies extending substantially parallel to one another, said plurality of panel receivers extending between adjacent pairs of said cable truss assemblies. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An array, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said plurality of columns include a group of interior columns and a group of exterior columns disposed on each opposite lateral side of said array, such that said cable truss assembly is supported at one lateral side by a first pair of interior and exterior columns, and supported on the opposite lateral side by a second pair of interior and exterior columns. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) An array, as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said first and second support cables diverge from one another as the cables extend laterally beyond said crossing points. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An array, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said compression members extend in an alternating diagonal pattern laterally across said cable truss assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An array, as claimed in claim 1, further including: an evaporative barrier mounted to the array to minimize evaporative losses. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An array, as claimed in claim 11, wherein: said evaporative barrier includes a waterproof membrane or fabric extending over a selected area under the solar panel array. ### Claim 13 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) An array, as claimed in claim 13, further including: a plurality of anchor cables connected to and extending from respective columns. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) An array, as claimed in claim 13, wherein: said at least one lateral crossing point includes two lateral crossing points, one of said lateral crossing points being located adjacent one lateral side of said cable truss assembly, and the other of said lateral crossing points being located adjacent the opposite lateral side of said cable truss assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An array, as claimed in claim 15, wherein: said compression members interconnect said first and second support cables along a center area of said cable truss assembly between said two lateral crossing points, and said center area between said first and second support cables having a generally elliptical shape. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) An array, as claimed in claim 13, wherein: said solar panels extending over said solar array are mounted to the array in three convex shaped areas, a first convex area located over a center area, and two lateral convex areas located on opposite lateral sides of said center area. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) An array, as claimed in claim 13, further including: an extension support assembly connected to and extending above each column. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) An array, as claimed in claim 18, wherein: said extension support assembly includes a plurality of extension supports extending vertically, and an upper lateral support interconnecting upper ends of said extension supports. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) An array, as claimed in claim 13, further including: a plurality of cantilevered supports connected to corresponding cable truss assemblies, said cantilevered supports extending laterally beyond said cable truss assemblies for extending a length to which said panel receivers and solar panels may be mounted. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) An array, as claimed in claim 13, wherein: each said cable truss assembly includes a plurality of cable truss assemblies spaced from one another longitudinally along the length of the array, said cable truss assemblies extending substantially parallel to one another, said plurality of panel receivers extending between adjacent pairs of said cable truss assemblies. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) An array, as claimed in claim 13, wherein: said plurality of columns include a group of interior columns and a group of exterior columns disposed on each opposite lateral side of said array, such that said cable truss assembly is supported at one lateral side by a first pair of interior and exterior columns, and supported on the opposite lateral side by a second pair of interior and exterior columns. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) An array, as claimed in claim 16, wherein: said first and second support cables diverge from one another as the cables extend laterally beyond said two crossing points. ### Claim 24 (depends on 13) An array, as claimed in claim 13, wherein: said compression members extend in an alternating diagonal pattern laterally across said cable truss assembly. ### Claim 25 (depends on 13) An array, as claimed in claim 13 further including: an evaporative barrier mounted to the array to minimize evaporative losses. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) An array, as claimed in claim 25, wherein: said evaporative barrier includes a waterproof membrane or fabric extending over a selected area under the solar panel array. ### Claim 27 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. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) A method, as claimed in claim 27, wherein: spacing between said panel receivers is adjusted to provide a desired amount of sunlight to pass through said solar panel array. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) A method, as claimed in claim 27, wherein: a spacing between said solar panels is adjusted to provide a desired amount of sunlight to pass through said solar panel array. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) A method, as claimed in claim 27, wherein: a spacing between said panel receivers is adjusted to provide a desired limitation on evaporation of water from said body of water. ### Claim 31 (depends on 27) A method, as claimed in claim 27, wherein: spacing between said solar panels is adjusted to provide a desired limitation on evaporation of water from said body of water. ### Claim 32 (depends on 27) A method, as claimed in claim 27 further including: providing an evaporative barrier mounted to the array to minimize evaporative losses. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) A method, as claimed in claim 32, wherein: said evaporative barrier includes a waterproof membrane or fabric extending over a selected area under the solar panel array.