Towards benchmark validation of LES for ground-mounted solar panel wind loads

Abstract

Successful application of large-eddy simulation for wind load evaluation of ground-mounted solar panels (GMSPs) requires rigorous benchmark validation. A validation campaign exploring several LES parameters and wind tunnel model details is underway. This study is carried out on a $25°$ tilt isolated GMSP with wind tunnel data as a target. The main LES parameters investigated are mesh size, solver time-step, time-discretization scheme, and the fetch distance from the inlet. A detailed geometric parametric study is conducted to explore the impact of the pressure tubing bundles and support structures of wind tunnel models on aerodynamics. It was found that the combined effects of mesh size, solver time-step, time-discretization scheme, and sampling frequency control the maximum reduced frequency modeled by LES. The pressure tubing bundles significantly altered the lower surface pressure pattern and magnitude, increasing local mean pressure by up to $50\%$ compared to a suspended flat plate. Comparison between the final validated case and the target wind tunnel shows an agreement within $5\%$ for wind field parameters at the reference height and within $\pm 15\%$ for mean and peak surface pressure coefficients. This study's findings will enhance the next phase of benchmark validation on an array of GMSPs in various geometric configurations.