Importance

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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. This structure for supporting the rows [19] of the solar radiation collector modules enables the man-made island [10] to be constructed with a very large surface area, eventually up to several kilometers in diameter, to better utilize the full potential of the solar concentrators [22], thereby to produce electricity at an economically viable cost. The man-made island [10] includes a number of other structural features that enhance the practical application of solar radiation collection technology.

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First Claim