A comparative analysis of wind pressure on flat and stair-step constructions of solar plant trackers

The paper presents comparative experimental research of the aerodynamic processes and forces occurring due to airflow moving past by concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules assembled on a flat and a stair-step frame. The subsequent analysis of the aerodynamic properties of these design schemes has revealed the significant advantages of stair-step arrangement of CPV modules over the flat ones concerning smaller wind loads affecting the platform. In order to calculate the value of the forces operating on full-size solar installations, values for aerodynamic resistance for different schemes of module arrangement have been obtained. Detailed research of various solar installation models utilizing a wind tunnel and aerodynamic scales is carried out for the first time.