Hybrid pressure integration and buffeting analysis for multi-row wind loading in an array of single-axis trackers

Taylor, Zachary; Browne, Matthew T.L.

doi:10.1016/j.jweia.2019.104056

Cited by 29 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…By repeating the tests for different parameters (such as inclination angle, wind exposure angle and inter-row distance) the photovoltaic plant under consideration is fully characterized from the point of view of acting loads. When the coupling between wind flow and structure is expected to be relevant, another approach that can be used is shown in [4] where, in addition to the buffeting loads, also the self-excited component is taken into account in the forcing term. The evaluation of this quantity can be performed, by means of wind tunnel free-motion measurements on a suspended sectional model.…”

Section: Wind Induced Structural Responsementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The approach proposed is developed on the premise that experimental wind tunnel tests are available and can be used for the characterization of the forcings terms acting on the structural system. Then, by combining the pressure distribution time histories, and eventually information about the aeroelastic response of the tracker [4], both of which are acquired through wind tunnel testing, with the structural properties derived from a FE model -or technical specifications-, it is possible to define and numerically integrate the governing problem of the system. From this information, the inertial forces, related to structural accelerations, are easily derived by the displacements; this component, summed with the external forcing term, is needed to define a set of Equivalent Static Wind Loads (ESWL).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A framework for fatigue damage estimate in single-axis solar trackers

Frontini,

Argentini,

Muggiasca

et al. 2024

J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.

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Solar trackers are constructions consisting of a series of photovoltaic modules mounted on a motorized supporting structure; such systems are usually characterized by limited torsional stiffness and low number of torsional constraints, factors that lead to lower structural frequencies. At these frequencies, trackers are typically susceptible to turbulent wind, and when excited by it, the expected responses can lead to significant deformations and, with its cyclical load variation, also to fatigue damage. On this premise, the presented article proposes a methodology for estimating fatigue damage caused by dynamic wind effects in single-axis solar trackers. As observed in full-scale scenarios, it is assumed that the fatigue damage accumulates in correspondence of the elements connecting the photovoltaic modules to the underlying structure. To this end, a transfer function that relates the pressure acting on the panel to the stress state in a specific point is evaluated with a finite element (FE) model and then experimentally validated with a cyclical load test. Acting forces time histories, derived by wind tunnel measurements, are used with the transfer function to infer the evolution of the stresses acting in the regions of interest. Finally, the rainflow cycle count method is used in conjunction with the Wöhler curve of the investigated structural detail to analyze the stress history and derive a fatigue damage estimate. It is expected that the proposed approach can aid designers in the damage estimation and verification procedures.

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Section: Wind Induced Structural Responsementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A framework for fatigue damage estimate in single-axis solar trackers

Frontini,

Argentini,

Muggiasca

et al. 2024

J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.

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show abstract

“…Taylor and Browne [5] used two models, a pressure model at a relatively small scale and a sectional model at a larger scale, to propose a hybrid method and compared it to wind loads estimated using a dynamic amplification approach, and the results show that at high wind speeds, the self-excited forces become significant.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Investigation of the Parapet Effect on the Wind Load of Roof-Mounted Solar Arrays

Yao

Wang

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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A wind tunnel test was conducted to investigate the effects of parapets on the aerodynamic wind loads of roof-mounted solar arrays. The distribution of the mean wind pressure coefficient and the extreme wind pressure coefficient in the solar arrays were discussed in detail, and the results were compared with some national standards. Results show that the mean and extreme values of the wind pressure coefficient are larger at oblique wind angles. The presence of the parapet can reduce the mean and extreme area-averaged net pressure coefficients in some areas of the solar arrays, and both the most critical positive and negative shape factors reduce at the corner and outer rows while less change occurs at the inner zones. The experimental shape factors are much smaller compared to the values calculated by the standards. The guidelines for the design of wind pressure on roof-mounted solar arrays are very conservative, and more research is needed to make the standards applicable and complete.

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“…Reina and De Stefano [13] promoted a reduced model with periodic boundary conditions in the spanwise homogeneous direction in the numerical simulation of sun-tracking ground-mounted arrays, and investigated the wind loads of the tilted panel from −60 • to 60 • . In the multi-row wind loading forecasting of the ground-mounted single-axis tracker, Taylor and Browne [14] utilized the pressure model at a relatively smaller scale and a sectional model at a larger scale to measure the buffeting forces acting on the array, and to extract the variation in aerodynamic stiffness and damping as a function of wind speed, respectively.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Investigation of Wind Loads on Roof-Mounted Solar Arrays

Yao

Wang

et al. 2022

Sustainability

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An experimental study was conducted to investigate the aerodynamic loads on roof-mounted solar arrays. Four different parapet heights of 0 m, 0.9 m, 1.2 m, 1.5 m, and two tilt angles of 5° and 10°, are set to examine their effects on wind pressure coefficients. The statistics (means, standard deviations, skewness, kurtosis, maximum and minimum peaks) of wind pressure coefficients in different wind directions are exhibited and discussed in the current study. The results show that the oblique wind directions are critical for most measured locations, as the extreme of maximum and minimum peak pressure coefficients occur. The parapet can decrease wind loads on solar arrays, as expected. However, as the parapet is within a limited height in practice, it is not quite efficient to decrease wind loads despite the increasing of the parapet height. When the solar arrays are installed on the roof almost horizontally (tilt angle is less than 10°), the statistics of the aerodynamic load change a little with the decreasing of the tilt angle.

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Hybrid pressure integration and buffeting analysis for multi-row wind loading in an array of single-axis trackers

Cited by 29 publications

References 26 publications

A framework for fatigue damage estimate in single-axis solar trackers

A framework for fatigue damage estimate in single-axis solar trackers

Experimental Investigation of the Parapet Effect on the Wind Load of Roof-Mounted Solar Arrays

Experimental Investigation of Wind Loads on Roof-Mounted Solar Arrays

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