Analyses of aerodynamic forces on a three-dimensional pitching plate above surface waves

Abstract

Since a floating solar panel is set above a water surface, the ground effect due to the small gap between the panel and the free surface may be induced by the wind load, in turn causing a high lift force on the panel. In this paper, the wind load on a three-dimensional thin flat plate floating on surface waves is studied analytically under linear assumptions. The clearance between the panel and the free surface is set to be smaller than the panel length and the effects of the base of the floating system are ignored. The pitch motion of the plate due to linear surface waves is considered and the effects of the aspect ratio of the plate, wave number, and wave speed of the free surface are discussed. The analytical solution shows that, if the plate is stationary and the free surface is flat (no waves), then the lift coefficient increases with aspect ratio. For a pitching plate above surface waves, lift coefficient increases with aspect ratio for longer wavelengths, but decreases when the aspect ratio increases for shorter wavelengths. Minimum lift and the associated wave number and aspect ratio for different wave speeds are also discussed. The findings of this study are anticipated to enhance the design of floating solar panels, improving their capacity to withstand substantial wind and waves.