Full-scale measurement of the response of a CPV tracker structure prototype under wind load

The response of concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) structures under wind loading has to be carefully predicted to optimize the design of these structures. Designers normally rely on wind tunnel tests and equivalent static approaches as recommended by codes for the design of this type of nonconventional structures. This paper aims to evaluate the full scale wind response of a concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) prototype with mirror surface of 8 ∗ 16 m2 and correlate it with wind measurements made near the solar structure. The full-scale wind response of the structure was evaluated with continuous 10 min measurements of deformations on tower leg members during moderate wind events. The utility of this work derives from enriching field measurement data in order to understand the behavior of this type of structure and to validate the previous wind tunnel testing works. Standard wind design process based on the analytical method, which is adopted by ASCE 7, is also revisited in the light of the full scale observations.