Deck for floating solar park

BPO has based the Connect-168 on the current design and optimised it for strength, use of materials and production.

Profloating supplies and produces systems to create a floating solar park, the FLOTAR® PV system that is modularly constructed with 7 different parts. One of the components is the Connect, a deck between two floats that also functions as a spacer. The version currently used at Profloating is a PP glass fiber reinforced injection molded product of Eastern European design: straight and robust, with a length of 143 cm (Connect-143). Profloating wants to expand the range with a new version with the same width but a greater length of 168 cm (Connect-168).

BPO has developed a new decking that meets all requirements regarding look & feel, modularity, top load, deflection and water drainage. The performance and deflection under load have been optimised using finite element simulations. Due to a clever design in the profile of the ribs, the deflection of the decking is smaller than its predecessor, despite the longer length.

Compared to its predecessor, the Connect-168 has had a facelift. Although the design has been kept largely constant, adjustments have been made to the top surface and water drainage so that the Connect-168 better fits within the design language of the FLOTAR® PV system. For example, the shapes of the drainage holes now correspond to the Walkfloat, which together with the Connect forms the walkway. The previous straight design has been abandoned. The ribbing on the top surface in addition to a viewing element also provides extra grip for the user in wet conditions.

The geometry and ribs of the Connect-168 are optimised for the mechanical loads such as tensile load and static pressure on the FLOTAR® system. The optimal geometry and ribbing was achieved in a few iterations. The clever height gradient in the outer rib provides most of the stiffness in the decking.

By cleverly dividing the product, it is possible to achieve a different length of the decking by removing some inserts from the mould. This version will then become the Connect-153 (with a length of 153 cm). By removing two rows of drainage holes, the Connect-168 can be shortened without changing the ends of the gangway.

The sloping outside of the Connect-168 ensures a greater height of the product, but the stacking height is the same as the lower predecessor Connect-143. The Connect-168 is nestable and will not shift due to the ribs on the top surface.

The first Connect-168s are already being used in the FLOTAR® PV system, and are expected to perform as well as the Connect-143 in both use and assembly. Visit the Profloating website here.