Thesis Type: Postgraduate
Institution Of The Thesis: Gazi Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Turkey
Approval Date: 2019
Student: FATİH YÜRÜK
Supervisor: NİHAT GEMALMAYAN
Abstract:Solar energy systems that are one of the leading sources of renewable energy, are mostly installed outdoors and they are exposed to environmental conditions such as snow and wind loads. Therefore, the structures of these systems should be designed to have enough strength against such loads. In this study, the single axis solar tracker system placed in open terrain, has been considered as a model and the effects of wind loads, which are the most critical loads affecting the system, on solar panels and support structures have been investigated. The flow analysis and governing equations are solved using Ansys Fluent solver. Finite volume method and steady state SST k-ω turbulence model are used to calculate wind loads on solar panels. The von-mises stress values of the support structure under these loads are examined by finite element method and governing equations are solved using Ansys Structure package program. Wind pressure distributions on solar panels obtained by flow analysis are transferred to finite element model using Ansys fluid-structure interaction package program. Stress values on the construction of solar tracker system obtained by numerical analysis are compared with the yield strength values of materials to prevent permanent failure on the system. Unlike other studies, inclination angle of solar panels, wind direction and velocity, as well as height of the piers are also considered as variables and parametric analysis are carried out. Also, experimental and literature validation are performed by using the methods created for numerical studies.