Wind loads on solar panels mounted on flat roofs: Effect of geometric scale

Abstract

The paper outlines a set of experimental criteria implemented to examine the influence of geometric scale on wind-induced pressures on roof-mounted solar panels tested in a simulated atmospheric boundary layer. The results of this research contribute significantly to the understanding of the obstacles hindering the reliable evaluation of wind loads on solar panels, bearing in mind that the size of wind tunnel models of such structures is a key stumbling block to conducting experiments and getting reliable results. The effect of such shortcomings in the codification process is examined. Three models of geometric ratios 1:50, 1:100 and 1:200 were designed, manufactured and tested in the atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnel of Concordia University. The results show that the geometric test scaling is an important parameter in simulating solar panel models in atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnels, particularly when considering design wind loads.