Abstract
Wind-tunnel tests were conducted on two different solar panel designs, optimized for flat roof mounting. In addition to a dual-tilted panel configuration (titled by 12.5°), a flat design (0° tilt) was investigated and optimized with respect to aerodynamic lift forces. To assess relatively small geometric details (e.g., spoilers, covers and ground clearance) tests were performed at full scale. In addition, selected configurations were also investigated at a reduced scale of 1:15, to assess possible scaling effects. Tests were conducted in low-turbulent approach flow conditions, resulting in turbulence intensities of < 1%. Results show that geometric additions such as spoilers, covers as well as reducing the ground clearance can effectively lower aerodynamic lift forces for both panel designs investigated, however, it was further observed that results depend strongly on the chosen geometric scaling factor.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 9th InternationalColloquium on Bluff Body Aerodynamics and Applications (BBAA IX 2024) |
| Publisher | Social Science Research Network (SSRN) |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 29 Aug 2024 |
| Event | 9th International Colloquium on Bluff Body Aerodynamics and Applications - University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom Duration: 29 Jul 2024 → 2 Aug 2024 |
Conference
| Conference | 9th International Colloquium on Bluff Body Aerodynamics and Applications |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | BBAAIX |
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Birmingham |
| Period | 29/07/24 → 2/08/24 |
Funding
The authors thank the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland), section Missiegedreven Onderzoek, Ontwikkeling en Innovatie (MOOI), for their financial support for this project.
Keywords
- Solar panel design
- Ground clearance
- Flat roof mounting
- Wind tunnel test
- Design optimization
- Scaling effects