AERODYNAMIC MECHANISMS ON A GROUND-MOUNTED SOLAR PANEL AT DIFFERENT WIND DIRECTIONS

Abstract

Aerodynamics mechanisms on a solar panel were studied using Computational Fluid Dynamics methodology at different wind directions. The wind velocity was chosen as 10 m/s that corresponding turbulent flow. The inclination angle of the panel was fixed as 25°, while the wind directions were varied as 180°, 135°, 45°, and 0°. Governing equations were solved by utilizing a finite volume method with a realizable k-ε turbulence model and standard wall functions. The results showed that the recirculation area occurred for the straight wind directions, but it was not observed for the oblique wind directions. The highest pressure coefficients occurred at the leading edges of the solar panel and they reduced to the trailing edge for all wind directions. The maximum drag and uplift coefficient was obtained at the wind direction of 0° and 180°, respectively.

Keywords

• wind direction
• computational fluids dynamics
• wind loads
• solar panel
• rüzgar yönü
• hesaplamalı akışkanlar dinamiği
• rüzgar yükü
• güneş paneli