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Title: Wind loading on tracking and field-mounted solar collectors

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6889663· OSTI ID:6889663

Current design and testing procedures for wind loading are discussed. The test results corresponding to numerous wind tests on heliostats, parabolic troughs, parabolic dishes, and field mounted photovoltaic arrays are discussed and the applicability of the findings across the various technologies is assessed. One of the most significant consistencies in the data from all of the technologies is the apparent benefit provided by fences and field shielding. Taken in toto, these data show that load reductions of three, or possibly more, seem feasible, though a more thorough understanding of the phenomena involved must be attained before this benefit can be realized. It is recommended that the required understanding be developed to take advantage of this benefit and that field tests be conducted to correlate with both analyses and tests.

Research Organization:
Solar Energy Research Inst. (SERI), Golden, CO (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-77CH00178
OSTI ID:
6889663
Report Number(s):
SERI-TP-632-958
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English