Impact of solar panel spacing on wind load in an elevated solar panel structure

This study looks at the modeling and stability analysis of an existing elevated solar structure to allow solar energy production and agriculture on the same land (Agrivoltaics). The existing elevated structure accommodates 32 solar panels, each with a capacity of 345 W at a height of approximately 6 m at the center. The impact of the gaps in the 32-panel configuration at this height on the wind load in the elevated solar structure is determined.The study uses computational fluid dynamics (Solid Works Flow simulation) followed by the results used in the static study (Solid Works simulation) to assess the overall stress and strain resulting in the elevated structure. Distortion Energy theory is followed to compare the von Mises stress resulting from the simulation with the Yield strength of the material used to construct the elevated support structure. The findings demonstrate that solar panel spacing can be a key factor in lowering wind loads on the raised support structure.