Three-dimensional panel configurations to reduce wind load and increase convection cooling of photovoltaic surface on solar tracking systems

Abstract

The efficiency of tracking mechanisms in photovoltaic power systems is limited by wind loads on their solar panels. By overlapping layers of' non-overlapping panels a new structure withstanding 10% higher wind speeds without additional wind load can be created to replace present day side by side panel arrangements. The new structure's double-layer subclass is examined to explain the associated wind loads and scope for higher efficiencies than those so far found. The new structure has characteristically large vents able to passively cool and mitigate heat related photovoltaic efficiency losses typically peaking above 10% for high performance solar cells in summer and 0.23%/F° in general. Early design for demand choices are identified relevant to the new structure's uptake in power systems. Show more