Study on Variations in Flooding Volume According to Ratio of Rainfall to Projected Cross-Sectional Area of Photovoltaic Facilities

Abstract

With growing global environmental concerns, attention is focused on renewable energy. Photovoltaic facilities provide infinite solar and clean energy, and are utilized in various ways. Installation of a photovoltaic facility above a certain scale should be preceded by a flood risk assessment. Recent installations of photovoltaic facilities have been utilizing piling-type construction for minimal environmental damage. In previous flood risk assessments the total area of the photovoltaic facility was classified as impervious when the anticipated flood volumes were calculated. This study analyzed variations in flooding volumes according to projected cross-sectional areas where rain falls on the installation of the photovoltaic facility. Three cases were analyzed: CASE 1 takes into account the total area of the photovoltaic facility, CASE 2 the area considering the panel installation angle, and CASE 3 the area of the circular piles. The anticipated flood volumes were calculated as 97.59 ㎥/s for CASE 1, 97.57 ㎥/s for CASE 2, and 97.26 ㎥/s for CASE 3, a difference of less than 1%. Therefore, it is acceptable to consider the total area as impervious in a flood risk assessment when installing a photovoltaic facility.