Experimental Investigation of the Wind Loading on Solar Panels: Effects of Clearance off Flat Roofs

The paper presents the results of a comprehensive wind tunnel study dedicated to addressing effects underneath array clearance on loading roof-mounted solar panels. Indeed, has crucial influence in many respects ranging from its consideration modeling impact structural safety. A set atmospheric experiments was carried out three configurations multipanel mounted flat roof immersed simulated flow open-country exposure. placed at heights above roof, namely, 0, 20, and 40 cm (in full scale). Wind measurements mean peak pressures both bottom top surfaces panels as well net across were out. show that panel wind-induced depends highly direction location within array. Generally, when lowering become quite severe may peel off supporting racking system; other hand, such installation, are subjected lower downward pressure. Furthermore, highlights potential uncertainties experimental could be deemed actual design loadings is concern. This important ramifications formulation provisions used by professionals.