Numerical Simulation on Renewable Solar Energy

Numerical Simulation on Renewable Solar Energy

Prasad G., Reshma G., Nikitha K. N., Pooja Reddy B., Gourav Nand Tiwary M.
Copyright: © 2022 |Pages: 10
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-8801-7.ch002
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Abstract

Due to the significance in renewable energy and rising energy demand, solar energy is becoming increasingly important. Although many academics are interested in the development of photovoltaic panels, there hasn't been enough research done to identify the loads operating on these systems' supporting structures. In this chapter, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis is largely used to simulate, analyze, and grasp the impacts of wind forces on solar panels utilizing high-speed computer capabilities. Furthermore, unlike previous studies in this field, this study focuses on the sequential arrangement of ground-mounted solar panels and the effects of the sheltering effect. The steady state SST k-omega turbulence model is used in the CFD analysis. 3D studies are carried out, and it is discovered that for the solar panel configurations investigated in this chapter, they give accurate findings with robust modelling and solutions in terms of computing time.
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Introduction

The 21st century has made us realize the importance of the need for the development and use of renewable energy sources. The most significant amount of research and development has been carried out on solar and wind energy sources, since they are cost efficient and reliable. The advancement in the technology on the solar energy front resulted in the development of Photovoltaic (PV) panels which are cheaper and energy efficient. While building the solar farm, researchers and engineers should also pay attention to the designing of the structural supporting system for solar panels in the first design stage. These supporting structures should be designed in such a way that they are strong enough to protect PV panels and which allows them to generate uninterrupted electricity throughout their service life (Assmus, M., & Koehl, M. 2012).

Advance level load calculations have to be carried out with regards to the wing forces acting on several engineering structures, since the major load on the PV panel has been found to be caused by wind. Wing loads acting on the solar panel and their effect on analysis and design of steel supporting structures are inadequate due to lack of experience and knowledge. Even though the private companies have their own different analysis approach and load calculations with regards to loads acting on solar panels, they are kept confidential (Banks 2010).

Considering the wing loads in the design phase of a structure, ASCE 7-10 (ASCE,2010) and Euro code (CEN, 2004) sufficiently provide an estimation of wind loads acting on mono-slope free roofs and canopies. The wind tunnel experiments and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis are the main approaches used by the solar companies to calculate the wind loads acting on consecutively placed panels in solar farms. When the wind flows on the ground mounted solar panels placed on the open terrains, wind flow has been blocked by the first row of the panels in the solar farm and wind loads acting on the other rows exhibit different trends. This has been caused due to the variation in the direction and speed of wind after facing all the rows of panels.

In this article analysis on the consecutively placed ground mounted solar panels in solar farms, where flat-plate PV panels were used. CFD by using ANSYS FLUENT was employed to model, analyze and to know the effects of wind force acting on solar panels (Schellenberg et al 2013). The sheltering effect was investigated with the placement of 1 and 2 consecutive panels using 3D CFD analysis approach.

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