Numerical simulation study on the impact of wind-blown sand action on the loading of photovoltaic systems

Abstract

The vast desert regions of the world offer an excellent foundation for developing the ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) industry. However, the impact of wind-blown sand on solar PV panels cannot be overlooked. In this study, numerical simulations were employed to investigate the dynamics of the wind-blown sand field, sand-particle concentration, and the impact of wind-blown sand loading on independent ground-mounted PV panels. The results indicate that with increasing horizontal inclination angle, the area of maximum sand-particle concentration shifts from the top toward the bottom of the panel. On the surface of the PV panel, the pressure coefficient of wind-blown sand experiences a gradual decrease from the leading edge to the trailing edge. In comparison to a net wind environment, the stand-alone PV module in wind-blown sand environment shows significant increases of resistance by 9%–21%, lift by 8%–20%, moments in the X direction by 6%–11%, and moments in the Y direction by 14%–41%. The design of a stand-alone PV module should prioritize resistance to both lift and resistance when it is positioned perpendicular to the wind direction. Conversely, a design that is resistant to overturning should be considered when the wind is oblique.