CFD ANALYSIS OF WIND LOADING IN SOLAR PANELS

Solar energy is the area of renewable energy where lot of research is being carried out. In this paper an effort is made to explore the research in the field of solar energy at Kalaburagi. Karnataka. Effect of the wind on the solar panel is studied using the numerical tool ANSYS FLUENT.The solar panel array consisting of 12 solar panels with each 1.2m×0.6 m is placed with 3 rows and 4 columns, with panel inclination of 18 degrees, the analysis has been done for 0, 30, 45, 60, 135 and 180-degree angle of attack at both average and extreme wind velocities i.e., 5 and 25 m/s. The biggest suction pressure occurred at 0, 30 and 180degree in both 5 and 25 m/s. The maximum pressure in the case of 30-degree inclination is observed to increase by 30% compared to the 0degree angle of attack in both the cases. Results can be used to design the structural support for the panels and to prevent them from damage in the adverse wind loads and also to save material at the manufacturing level.