Wind loads on flat plate photovoltaic array fields. Phase III, final report

Technical Report · Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6782774· OSTI ID:6782774

Miller, R D; Zimmerman, D K

The results of an experimental analysis (boundary layer wind tunnel test) of the aerodynamic forces resulting from winds acting on flat plate photovoltaic arrays are presented. Local pressure coefficient distributions and normal force coefficients on the arrays are shown and compared to theoretical results. Parameters that were varied when determining the aerodynamic forces included tilt angle, array separation, ground clearance, protective wind barriers, and the effect of the wind velocity profile. Recommended design wind forces and pressures are presented, which envelop the test results for winds perpendicular to the array's longitudinal axis. This wind direction produces the maximum wind loads on the arrays except at the array edge where oblique winds produce larger edge pressure loads.

• Research Organization: Boeing Engineering and Construction Co., Seattle, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: NAS-7-100-954833
• OSTI ID: 6782774
• Report Number(s): DOE/JPL/954833-81/3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
WIND LOADS
AERODYNAMICS
BOUNDARY LAYERS
DESIGN
INCLINATION
PRESSURE GRADIENTS
PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
RECOMMENDATIONS
VELOCITY
WIND
WIND TUNNELS
DYNAMIC LOADS
EQUIPMENT
FLUID MECHANICS
LAYERS
MECHANICS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TUNNELS
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion