Optimization of Photovoltaic Panel Array Configurations to Reduce Lift Force Using Genetic Algorithm and CFD

Abstract

Aerodynamic lift force acting on the solar structure is important while designing the counterweight for rooftop-mounted solar systems. Due to their unique configuration, the load estimated for solar structures using international building codes can be either higher or lower than the actual. Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD) simulations haveproven to be an efficient tool for estimating wind loads on solar panels for design purposes and identifying critical design cases. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations usually require high computation power, and slight changes in geometry to find optimum configuration can be time-consuming. An optimization method to minimize lift force effects on solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays installed on rooftops usesthe Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)and genetic algorithms proposed in this paper. The tilt angle and pitch between two rows of solar panels were parameterized, and a genetic algorithm was used to search for aconfiguration resulting in minimum wind lift force acting on the solar photovoltaic plant. Only combinations with a performance ratio >80% were considered. Three different rooftopphotovoltaic (PV) plant layout configurations were analyzed in this research. Two rows of photovoltaic (PV) panel arrays wereconsidered for optimization in the 2D domain using ANSYS Fluent. Results showed that the difference in wind-liftforce between optimized configurations against that with maximum lift force configuration for all three cases above was fifty percent.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en15249580
Divisions: College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > School of Engineering and Technology > Mechanical, Biomedical & Design
College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI)
College of Engineering & Physical Sciences
Additional Information: © 2022 by the authors. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Funding Information: The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia, for funding this work through the Research Group Program under Grant No: R.G.P.2 /32/43.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Article,genetic algorithm,rooftop solar arrays,optimization,wind pressure,wind design,CFD
Publication ISSN: 1996-1073
Last Modified: 07 Oct 2024 07:42
Date Deposited: 10 Jan 2023 15:54
Full Text Link:
Related URLs: https://www.mdp ... 1073/15/24/9580 (Publisher URL)
http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2022-12
Published Online Date: 2022-12-16
Accepted Date: 2022-12-08
Authors: Khan, Asfand Y.
Ahmad, Zeshan
Sultan, Tipu
Alshahrani, Saad
Hayat, Khazar
Imran, Muhammad (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-3057-1301)

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