Abstract: A man-made island [10], adaptable for land-based or sea-based operation holds solar energy collection facilities and is rotatable to optimize the angular orientation thereof relative to the position of the sun. More particularly, the man-made island [10] uses a platform [12] that includes a large outer ring [14] that floats on a fluid, and a flexible cover [16] attached to the ring [14] to define an airtight volume [30] below the cover [16]. A plurality of rows [19] of solar radiation collector modules are located above the cover [16], and carry steam generating heat pipes [21]. The rows [19] of modules are supported above the cover [16] by an upper support structure, either a space frame [27], a plurality of cables [46] or a honeycomb [75]. A compressor [32] creates an over-pressure within the enclosed volume [30] to assist in supporting the cover [16] and the other components mounted thereabove.

Abstract: A man-made island [10], adaptable for land-based or sea-based operation holds solar energy collection facilities and is rotatable to optimize the angular orientation thereof relative to the position of the sun. More particularly, the man-made island [10] uses a platform [12] that includes a large outer ring [14] that floats on a fluid, and a flexible cover [16] attached to the ring [14] to define an airtight volume [30] below the cover [16]. A plurality of rows [19] of solar radiation collector modules are located above the cover [16], and carry steam generating heat pipes [21]. The rows [19] of modules are supported above the cover [16] by an upper support structure, either a space frame [27], a plurality of cables [46] or a honeycomb [75]. A compressor [32] creates an over-pressure within the enclosed volume [30] to assist in supporting the cover [16] and the other components mounted thereabove.

Abstract: A floating solar platform includes a bridge (10, 5, 21) connected to buoyancy elements (11), elements (14, 23) for collecting received solar energy, the elements being associated with the bridge and placed thereon, elements (16, 24) for converting this energy, elements (19) for storing the product of this conversion, and first propulsion elements (12) for moving the platform to sites where it can benefit from optimum sunshine. The platform further includes elements for controlling its paths, which elements act on the propulsion elements and include a navigation system associated with an algorithm for predictively optimizing the position in terms of latitude and longitude, taking into account the local meteorological conditions or particular logistic data for the optimum choice of its location.