METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR EVAPORATION CONTROL AND POWER PRODUCTION
An evaporation control system for an open liquid includes a photovoltaic (PV) panel and a mounting structure for supporting the PV panel. The PV panel is connected to the mounting structure such that the PV panel covers at least a portion of the liquid.
1 . An evaporation control system for an open body of liquid, comprising:
a photovoltaic (PV) panel assembly; and
a mounting structure configured to support the PV panel assembly above the body of liquid with the PV panel assembly covering at least a portion of the body of liquid.
2 . The evaporation control system according to claim 1 , further comprising a wind breaker configured to limit airflow between the PV panel assembly and the body of liquid.
3 . The evaporation control system according to claim 2 , further comprising a float coupled to the wind breaker, the float configured to support the wind breaker above a level of the body of liquid.
4 . The evaporation control system according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting structure is configured to span a width of the body of liquid.
5 . The evaporation control system according to claim 1 , wherein the PV panel assembly comprises a plurality of PV panels.
6 . The evaporation control system according to claim 5 , wherein the mounting structure is configured to support the PV panels at an angle relative to a horizontal plane.
7 . The evaporation control system according to claim 6 , wherein the mounting structure comprises an adjustable member configured to adjust the angle.
8 . The evaporation control system according to claim 6 , wherein the mounting structure comprises a fixed member configured to support the PV panels at a predetermined angle relative to the horizontal plane.
9 . The evaporation control system according to claim 1 , further comprising a walkway connected to the mounting structure.
10 . The evaporation control system according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting structure is configured to support the PV panel assembly above a water canal with the PV panel assembly covering at least a portion of the water canal.
11 . A method of controlling evaporation from an open body of liquid, comprising:
positioning a photovoltaic (PV) panel assembly above the body of liquid with the PV panel assembly covering at least a portion of the body of liquid; and
positioning a wind breaker between the liquid and the PV panel assembly.
12 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising supporting the wind breaker with a float.
13 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising generating electrical power with the PV panel assembly.
14 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein positioning a PV panel assembly above the body of liquid positioning a PV panel assembly including a plurality of PV panels above the body of liquid.
15 . An evaporation control system, comprising:
a array of photovoltaic (PV) panels;
a mounting structure configured to support the array over an open body of liquid;
a moisture return configured to collect moisture deposited on the array and transport the collected moisture to the body of liquid.
16 . The evaporation control system according to claim 15 , further comprising a wind breaker disposed between the open body of liquid and the array.
17 . The evaporation control system according to claim 16 , further comprising a float coupled to the wind breaker and configured to support the wind breaker above a level of the liquid.
18 . The evaporation control system according to claim 15 , further comprising a walkway coupled to the mounting structure.
19 . The evaporation control system according to claim 15 , wherein the mounting structure is configured to support the PV panels at one or more angles relative to a horizontal plane.
20 . The evaporation control system according to claim 19 , wherein the mounting structure comprises an adjustable member configured to adjust the angle of at least one of the PV panels relative to the horizontal plane.
21 . The evaporation control system according to claim 19 , wherein the mounting structure comprises a fixed member configured to support at least one of the PV panels at a predetermined angle relative to the horizontal plane.