Wind pressure characterization on ground-mounted solar PV systems: A combined experimental and numerical study

IF 6.4 2区工程技术 Q1 THERMODYNAMICS

Case Studies in Thermal Engineering Pub Date : 2025-06-18 DOI:10.1016/j.csite.2025.106501

Krishna Debnath, Jagadish Barman, Chien-Chun Hsieh, Chao-Yang Huang, Rei-Cheng Juang, Chih-Wei Chiu, Chung-Feng Jeffrey Kuo

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study introduces a novel integrated methodology combining wind tunnel (WT) experiments, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to thoroughly evaluate wind-induced effects on ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) tracking systems. A full-scale numerical simulation alongside a detailed 1:100 scale wind tunnel experiment comprising 96 PV panels were conducted across twelve distinct wind directions (0°–330°). Experimental results indicated edge and corner panels experienced maximum pressure coefficients (Cp) of +1.0 at 0° and −0.5 at 180°, thus supporting the largest aerodynamic loads. CFD simulations validated these findings with high accuracy (RMSE < 0.2), also replicating turbulence intensity (13% at panel height). Structural analysis under critical wind (100.8 km/h) confirmed structural integrity, showing a maximum von Mises stress of 201.55 MPa, strain of 0.0012, and deformation of 6 mm, all safely below material limits (yield strength: 235 MPa). This study's main scientific contribution is the establishment of practical, verified design wind pressure coefficients for massive ground-mounted PV arrays, which closes a significant gap in current engineering standards. These insights significantly enhance structural optimization practices, ensuring material efficiency and reinforcing vulnerable panel zones, thereby contributing substantially to the resilience and economic sustainability of PV infrastructure under extreme wind conditions.

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地面安装太阳能光伏系统的风压特性：实验与数值结合研究

本文介绍了一种结合风洞实验、计算流体力学（CFD）和有限元分析（FEA）的新型集成方法，以全面评估风力对地面光伏（PV）跟踪系统的影响。在12个不同的风向（0°-330°）下，对96块光伏板进行了全尺寸数值模拟和1:100比例尺风洞实验。实验结果表明，边缘和角板在0°时承受的最大压力系数（Cp）为+1.0，在180°时承受的最大气动载荷为- 0.5。CFD模拟以高精度验证了这些发现(RMSE <；0.2)，也复制湍流强度（13%在面板高度）。在临界风速（100.8 km/h）下的结构分析证实了结构的完整性，显示最大von Mises应力为201.55 MPa，应变为0.0012，变形为6 mm，均安全低于材料极限（屈服强度：235 MPa）。本研究的主要科学贡献是为大规模地面光伏阵列建立了实用的、经过验证的设计风压系数，从而缩小了当前工程标准的重大差距。这些见解大大提高了结构优化实践，确保了材料效率并加强了脆弱的面板区域，从而大大提高了光伏基础设施在极端风条件下的弹性和经济可持续性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Case Studies in Thermal Engineering Chemical Engineering-Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

CiteScore

8.60

自引率

11.80%

发文量

812

审稿时长

76 days

期刊介绍： Case Studies in Thermal Engineering provides a forum for the rapid publication of short, structured Case Studies in Thermal Engineering and related Short Communications. It provides an essential compendium of case studies for researchers and practitioners in the field of thermal engineering and others who are interested in aspects of thermal engineering cases that could affect other engineering processes. The journal not only publishes new and novel case studies, but also provides a forum for the publication of high quality descriptions of classic thermal engineering problems. The scope of the journal includes case studies of thermal engineering problems in components, devices and systems using existing experimental and numerical techniques in the areas of mechanical, aerospace, chemical, medical, thermal management for electronics, heat exchangers, regeneration, solar thermal energy, thermal storage, building energy conservation, and power generation. Case studies of thermal problems in other areas will also be considered.