Platooning of Flat Solar-Panel-Mounted Mini Bus Model—A Numerical Investigation

Abstract

In the view of limited source of conventional fuel and environmental concern, the researchers are working on alternative energy source for automotive applications. One of the ways is to utilize solar energy by using rooftop solar panel on ground vehicles. But any geometric change in exterior vehicle body disturbs flow around it which affects drag and lift coefficient significantly. The aerodynamic drag plays a significant role to define overall performance of ground vehicle in terms of fuel economy. Also, the effect of yaw angle is more significant in some cases. The various technologies are being developed and used in the field of automotive aerodynamics, to reduce drag. The vehicle platooning is one such emerging idea where the drag is decreased by driving the vehicles in a platoon. The objective of present work is numerical investigation of aerodynamic behaviour of flat solar-panel-mounted mini bus model under platooning effect. First numerical investigation is carried out to assess the impact of flat solar panel on the coefficient of drag. To validate numerical result, the wind tunnel test is performed on scaled down prototype model and results show the close correlation between experimental and numerical analysis. Further numerical investigation has been carried out with combination of two and three vehicles in a platoon, considering variation of separation distances from 3 to 12 m for range of speed from 80–120 kmph. Also, numerical investigation is carried out by considering variation of yaw angles from 6–18° for selected separation distance at 80 kmph. The result shows significant changes in drag and lift coefficient under platooning effect.