1 ph CFD analysis of solar panel array using translational Periodicity in Fluent

Siddhant_CFD · April 4, 2020, 15:17

Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum as a registered member but I have found answers to many of my past cfd problems in this forum.

Problem:
I am currently trying to analyse an array of solar panels to calculate the drag and lift forces. The array has 100 x 100 solar panels, with each solar panel's dimension as 2000mm x 1000mm x 40mm. The panels are mounted in a landscape format with 5 deg tilt from the ground facing south. Solar panels have zero ground clearance. As the array is very big, it is very difficult to mesh the whole domain.

Question:
1. Is it possible to create a mesh for only one solar panel and then create the 100 x 100 array using the translational periodic feature in fluent?
2. The subsequent rows of solar panels will experience sheltering from the row in front leading to a lower wind load. Will the sheltering effect be captured by the periodic mesh?

Looking forward to some insight and discussion on this. Thanks in advance.

LuckyTran · April 4, 2020, 21:16

2. The sheltering effect can be captured; but using the periodic BC you will end up with the solution to an infinite array (not a 100x100 array).

1. Nothing to do with periodic BC's but you can translate the mesh and merge them together and recursively build a mesh for a 100x100 array.

Siddhant_CFD · April 7, 2020, 05:48

Thanks for the suggestion.

April 4, 2020, 15:17	1 ph CFD analysis of solar panel array using translational Periodicity in Fluent	#1
Siddhant_CFD New Member Siddhant Agarwal Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Hello Everyone, I am new to this forum as a registered member but I have found answers to many of my past cfd problems in this forum. Problem: I am currently trying to analyse an array of solar panels to calculate the drag and lift forces. The array has 100 x 100 solar panels, with each solar panel's dimension as 2000mm x 1000mm x 40mm. The panels are mounted in a landscape format with 5 deg tilt from the ground facing south. Solar panels have zero ground clearance. As the array is very big, it is very difficult to mesh the whole domain. Question: 1. Is it possible to create a mesh for only one solar panel and then create the 100 x 100 array using the translational periodic feature in fluent? 2. The subsequent rows of solar panels will experience sheltering from the row in front leading to a lower wind load. Will the sheltering effect be captured by the periodic mesh? Looking forward to some insight and discussion on this. Thanks in advance.

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April 4, 2020, 21:16		#2
LuckyTran Senior Member Lucky Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 5,754 Rep Power: 66	2. The sheltering effect can be captured; but using the periodic BC you will end up with the solution to an infinite array (not a 100x100 array). 1. Nothing to do with periodic BC's but you can translate the mesh and merge them together and recursively build a mesh for a 100x100 array.

April 7, 2020, 05:48		#3
Siddhant_CFD New Member Siddhant Agarwal Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the suggestion.