El cálculo de cargas de viento en estructuras solares requiere métodos precisos que superen las limitaciones de los enfoques analíticos tradicionales.

Mediante simulación CFD, evaluamos las fuerzas y momentos aerodinámicos en base a la norma EUROCODE EN-1991-1-4.

Obtuvimos un dimensionamiento estructural más realista, optimizando la seguridad y reduciendo sobredimensionamientos en configuraciones reales de plantas fotovoltaicas.

PROJECTS

Wind Load Assessment for Solar Structures According to EUROCODE EN 1991-1-4

The client required a detailed assessment of wind loads acting on solar support structures in compliance with EUROCODE EN 1991-1-4.

Although the standard provides analytical calculation procedures, these are primarily intended for generic and relatively simple structures. For solar installations, which involve complex geometries and significant panel-to-panel interactions, analytical methods may be overly conservative or fail to accurately represent real behavior.

CFD simulations were therefore used to obtain more realistic aerodynamic forces and moments, allowing more accurate sizing of structural and mechanical components.

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PROJECT SCOPE

The study included:

Isolated Panel Analysis
Evaluation of multiple wind directions acting on a single solar panel, including:
- Aerodynamic drag and lift forces
- Moments acting on panels and supporting structures

Full Solar Array Simulation
Simulation of the complete solar farm layout to:
- Assess panel-to-panel interaction effects
- Evaluate shielding effects between rows
- Compare loads on perimeter panels, particularly corner panels, with loads on interior panels

This approach captured aerodynamic phenomena that cannot be represented through simplified analytical models.

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS

Wind direction analysis showed that:

Northern winds generated the highest loads for the case studied
Southern winds produced lower loads due to the geometry and orientation of the array

Significant differences were also identified between:

Front-row panels, which experienced the highest aerodynamic loads due to direct exposure
Central rows, where shielding effects reduced wind loads

The relationship between drag and lift forces was also evaluated:

For northern and crosswinds, lift forces dominated
For southern winds, drag forces exceeded lift forces

This study enabled a more realistic structural design, improving safety while avoiding unnecessary oversizing and remaining fully aligned with EUROCODE EN 1991-1-4 requirements.