Critical Wind Direction Angles and Edge Module Vulnerability in Fixed Double-Row Photovoltaic (PV) Arrays: Analysis of Extreme Wind Conditions Based on CFD Simulation
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1. Research Background
1.2. Literature Review of Relevant Studies
1.2.1. Methodology of Wind Load Characterization of Photovoltaic (PV) Panels
1.2.2. Wind Load Characteristics of Photovoltaic Panels Under Different Mounting Methods
1.3. Research Gaps and Contributions of This Study
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Array Modeling and Computational Domain Size
2.2. Mesh Division and Solution Condition Setting
2.3. Definition of Component Wind Load Parameters
2.4. Computational Validation of Wind Loads on PV Panels
3. Results and Analysis
3.1. Wind Load Characterization of PV Panels
3.1.1. Wind Load Characteristics of Front Row PV Modules
3.1.2. Wind Load Distribution Characteristics of the Rear Row PV Modules
3.2. Wind Pressure Distribution on the Surface of PV Panels
4. Discussion
4.1. Discussion of Research Results
4.1.1. Critical Working Conditions for Arrays and Discussion of the Most Unfavorable Positions
4.1.2. Discussion of Wind Load Variability Between Top-Row and Bottom-Row Photovoltaic Panels
4.1.3. Discussion on the Effect of Different Structural Rigidity of Support Structures on Wind Load Distribution
4.2. Limitations and Outlook of This Study
5. Conclusions
- (1)
- When the wind direction angle is 0°, the mean net pressure coefficients of the front-row PV modules reach the maximum. When the wind direction angle is 180°, the mean net pressure coefficients of the rear-row PV modules reach their maximum. However, for the PV modules at the edges, the mean net pressure coefficients are the largest at wind direction angles around 45° and 135°. In contrast, when the wind direction angle is 90°, the mean net pressure coefficients of the PV modules are the smallest, indicating that this wind direction angle is a favorable condition for the wind resistance of the structure. Therefore, during the installation and layout of the array, this condition can be given priority, and the array should be oriented as much as possible to be consistent with the 90° incoming wind direction to significantly improve the structural safety.
- (2)
- The variation trends of the drag coefficient and lift coefficient of the PV modules are similar to those of the mean net pressure coefficients. The critical wind direction angles are as follows: 0° and 180° correspond to the maximum lift and drag coefficients of the middle-part PV modules in the front and rear rows, respectively, while around 45° and 135° correspond to the maximum lift and drag coefficients of the PV modules at the edges. Hence, in the array layout design, these oblique wind conditions should be avoided as much as possible.
- (3)
- Under oblique wind conditions with wind direction angles around 45° and 135°, the PV modules at the four edges of the array are subjected to relatively large overturning moments. Given that large overturning moments may increase the risk of damage to the edge components, it is recommended that special reinforcement measures, such as increasing the number of fixing points or using high-strength connectors, be implemented at these critical parts during the design and installation process to prevent wind-induced damage.
- (4)
- The maximum values of the wind pressure coefficients of the PV array occur in the PV modules at the four edges under oblique-wind conditions, and the wind pressure they experience is significantly higher than that in other conditions and at other positions of the PV modules. This further confirms that the periphery of the PV module group is the most unfavorable area for wind loads. Additionally, when the wind comes from the front (wind direction angles from 0° to 90°), the lower-row PV modules bear relatively large wind loads; when the wind comes from the reverse direction (wind direction angles from 90° to 180°), the upper-row PV modules are subjected to relatively large wind loads. Therefore, in practical engineering, wind-resistance measures for the corresponding position components should be strengthened based on the characteristics of the local dominant wind direction.
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Mesh | Drag Coefficients | Lift Coefficients | Torque Coefficients |
---|---|---|---|
G1 | 0.481 | −0.816 | −0.051 |
G2 | 0.515 | −0.892 | −0.059 |
G3 | 0.523 | −0.907 | −0.063 |
Boundary | Boundary Conditions | Mathematical Implication |
---|---|---|
Inlet | Speed inlet | U U(z) = U0(z/z0)0.16 |
K k(z) = 1.5(v(z)I(z))2 | ||
ε ε = I1.5/l | ||
Outlet | Pressure outlet | k, ε: the same as those at the inlet boundary |
Side | Symmetry | (u,w,k,ε,ω) = 0 |
Top | Symmetry | (u,v,k,ε,ω) = 0 |
Model surface | Wall | Standard wall function: KS = 0 |
Land surface | Wall | Standard wall function: KS = 0 |
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Hu, Y.; Zhang, H.; Luo, Z.; Zhou, Y.; Yuan, G. Critical Wind Direction Angles and Edge Module Vulnerability in Fixed Double-Row Photovoltaic (PV) Arrays: Analysis of Extreme Wind Conditions Based on CFD Simulation. Energies 2025, 18, 2330. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18092330
Hu Y, Zhang H, Luo Z, Zhou Y, Yuan G. Critical Wind Direction Angles and Edge Module Vulnerability in Fixed Double-Row Photovoltaic (PV) Arrays: Analysis of Extreme Wind Conditions Based on CFD Simulation. Energies. 2025; 18(9):2330. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18092330
Chicago/Turabian StyleHu, Yuheng, Hongzhou Zhang, Zhenwei Luo, Yupeng Zhou, and Guoshun Yuan. 2025. "Critical Wind Direction Angles and Edge Module Vulnerability in Fixed Double-Row Photovoltaic (PV) Arrays: Analysis of Extreme Wind Conditions Based on CFD Simulation" Energies 18, no. 9: 2330. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18092330
APA StyleHu, Y., Zhang, H., Luo, Z., Zhou, Y., & Yuan, G. (2025). Critical Wind Direction Angles and Edge Module Vulnerability in Fixed Double-Row Photovoltaic (PV) Arrays: Analysis of Extreme Wind Conditions Based on CFD Simulation. Energies, 18(9), 2330. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18092330