Structural Stability and Fatigue Assessments of Dual-Axis Solar Trackers Using Finite Elements Analysis

Abstract

The use of advanced technologies to increase the amount of solar irradiance received, using solar tracking systems, is an important development that will enhance the efficiency of solar modules' ability to produce energy. However, solar trackers are vulnerable to failure or collapse, due to aerodynamic loads. This study analyses a dual-axis tracking model, using finite elements numerical modelling, to assess its structural stability and fatigue under static and cyclic loads. A rectangular solar tracker, with an area of 27.4 m² is investigated, using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.3 software. The results demonstrate that the maximum von Mises stress obtained is 92.51 MPa, which is less than the yield stress (200 MPa), and that the resulting safety value is 2.16. The maximum settlement obtained is 19 mm. In addition, the maximum usage fatigue factor obtained is 0.046. The study therefore concludes that the solar tracker structure satisfies the design requirements of the stability and fatigue criteria. Moreover, it concludes the ground concerned is stable, and exhibits only a slight amount of settlement that falls within the acceptable range, according to geotechnical engineering design.

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

“…These deformations can compromise the structural integrity of the entire system or any part of it, especially when the system responds cyclically, and fatigue damage is accumulated in the elements connecting the different parts of the structure. Fatigue damage in these systems is actually a known problem in practice; some research in the existing literature aims at characterizing the response under cyclical wind loads; such examples can be found for the actual dimensioning of the PV modules [1] and for the supporting system as illustrated in [2] and [3] for the case of 2-GDL systems.…”