Failure investigation of a solar tracker due to wind-induced torsional galloping

Solar power installations are increasing every year due to the decarbonization policy established around world. Photovoltaic (PV) systems and specifically one-axis solar trackers most used type of in plants. Those slender structures installed open-air areas sometimes subjected high speed winds. During last years, failures these starting appear, them related a dynamic phenomenon called torsional galloping. The galloping is an aeroelastic instability that presents very deformation amplitudes can be triggered at certain wind speeds tilt angles tracker. In this paper, failure investigation tracker carried out. broken structure has been analyzed field numerical model built up. identify natural frequencies as well maximum stresses different pieces confirmed cause was occurring for winds with angle 0 degrees.