Wind loads on residential scale rooftop photovoltaic panels

Abstract

The vast application of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panel arrays on residential buildings has increased the importance for reliable and efficient design of racking systems. Adequate design guidelines assure proper function of the system as well as safety implications on the surroundings during extreme wind events. During such events, the distributed pressures on PV panels’ surface can lead to considerable structural damage which can result in partial or total loss of the PV array as well as potential damage to nearby properties. In this study, large-scale models of PV systems installed on residential structures were tested in the Wall of Wind Research Facility. The findings revealed that the critical wind directions that induced the worst maximum and minimum peak force coefficients were depended on roof type and panel tilt angle. Overall, the panel tilt angle was found to be the most critical parameter on the resulting peak pressure coefficients. Finally, the resulting force coefficients from all tested configurations were codified and presented for different effective areas while comparison was made between the outcomes of this study and the results of previous investigations.