Abstract: A floating solar power generation system includes a photovoltaic (“PV”) array. The PV array includes a plurality of PV modules mechanically bound together. Each of the PV modules includes solar cells for generating solar power that are embedded within a laminated structure which is compliant to folding or bending in response to wave action on a surface of a waterbody. The laminated structure of each of the PV modules floats in or on the waterbody in intimate contact with the waterbody to cool the solar cells.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (“PV”) macro-module for solar power generation includes a plurality of solar cell strings disposed within a laminated support structure. The solar cell strings generate solar power in response to light incident upon a frontside of the solar cell strings. Each of the solar cell strings includes a plurality of solar cells electrically connected in series. The laminated support includes a substrate layer to provide physical environmental protection to a back side of the solar cell strings, a backside encapsulant layer disposed between the substrate layer and the solar cell strings, and a frontside encapsulant layer. The backside encapsulant layer conforms to and molds around the back side of the solar cell strings while the frontside encapsulant layer conforms to and molds around the frontside of the solar cell strings. The laminated support structure is compliant to rolling or folding.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a photovoltaic (“PV”) macro-module for solar power generation are described. The methods form a PV macro-module that includes solar cells embedded into a laminated support structure. The PV macro-module is compliant to folding or rolling.

Abstract: A method of deploying floating photovoltaic (“PV”) modules on water includes attaching first and second sections of a tensioning frame between a first group of mooring buoys. In a first embodiment, the first and second sections are adjoining sections attached to a common one of the mooring buoys and a plurality of PV modules are unrolled from positions adjacent to the first section of the tensioning frame and the PV modules are extended out from the first section. In a second embodiment, the PV modules are unrolled and extended out between two floating platforms. The PV modules are mechanically attached into a contiguous PV array. Third and fourth sections of the tensioning frame are attached between a second group of the mooring buoys to at least partially surround the PV array with the tensioning frame. Tension on the tensioning frame is adjusted to place the PV array under tension.