Ayo Daniel A.

The pressure field on the upper and lower surfaces of a photovoltaic (PV) module comprised of 24 individual PV panels was studied experimentally in a wind tunnel for four different wind directions. The results show that the pressure distribution on the module surface is symmetric about its mid-plane for head-on wind (0° and 180°) and asymmetric at other wind directions. The inter-panel gap (which is essential in large PV modules) is found to influence module's surface pressure field. Pressure… Show more

The pressure field on the upper and lower surfaces of a photovoltaic (PV) module comprised of 24 individual PV panels was studied experimentally in a wind tunnel for four different wind directions. The results show that the pressure distribution on the module surface is symmetric about its mid-plane for head-on wind (0° and 180°) and asymmetric at other wind directions. The inter-panel gap (which is essential in large PV modules) is found to influence module's surface pressure field. Pressure magnitudes on the module surface were increased with the module inclination angle, as expected. It is also observed that the mean pressure magnitudes on the PV module under smooth wind exposure are higher than those under open terrain wind exposure.

Keywords
PV module; Pressure field; Wind direction; Wind exposure; Module inclination angle; Inter-panel gap Show less

Photovoltaic Solar Panels for electricity generation are outdoor low-rise structures that are vulnerable to damage by the wind. The existing building codes do not contain information about the impact of the wind on these structures and hence do not provide comprehensive guidelines to mitigate such impact. The present study is a contribution to the ongoing efforts to codify the wind loading on solar panels. In this study, experimental investigations were conducted on the scaled model of a… Show more

Photovoltaic Solar Panels for electricity generation are outdoor low-rise structures that are vulnerable to damage by the wind. The existing building codes do not contain information about the impact of the wind on these structures and hence do not provide comprehensive guidelines to mitigate such impact. The present study is a contribution to the ongoing efforts to codify the wind loading on solar panels. In this study, experimental investigations were conducted on the scaled model of a ground-mounted solar panel structure whose surface is geometrically similar to an inclined flat plate and mounted on three-legged support. The panel comprises of gaps, which divide it into an array of 24 smaller units. The objective of this study is to determine the wind pressure distribution on the panel and characterize the flow dynamics around it. The pressure measurements were conducted through taps connected to pressure transducers for both head-on (0o, 180o) and oblique (30o, 150o) wind directions with the panel inclined at 25o and 40o. The results indicate that larger inclination angles increased the wind forcing on the panel. At a panel inclination of 25o, velocity fields of the wind approaching head-on at 0o were captured to examine the flow field using particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. The mean and turbulent velocities around the panel are computed and presented. The results indicate that the gaps between each unit of the panel influenced the wind loading pattern on the solar panel. Show less

3D unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations are carried out to investigate the wind load and flow field around a ground mounted stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system immersed in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) using the shear stress transport (SST) k-ω turbulence closure. Experiments have also been performed on a 1:10 scale model of the PV system in the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel I at Western University, Canada. In the experiment, flow Reynolds number of 1x105, based on… Show more

3D unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations are carried out to investigate the wind load and flow field around a ground mounted stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system immersed in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) using the shear stress transport (SST) k-ω turbulence closure. Experiments have also been performed on a 1:10 scale model of the PV system in the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel I at Western University, Canada. In the experiment, flow Reynolds number of 1x105, based on the wind speed at the panel leading edge and the panel breadth, is employed. In both numerical and experimental studies, oncoming wind directions are varied from 0o to 180o at 45o intervals. Mean pressure coefficients on the surfaces of the PV panel, obtained from the numerical and experimental studies, are compared and a good agreement is found. Wind flow field around the panel is also analyzed. For all the wind directions, coefficients of drag, lift and overturning moment are computed and discussed. Show less

Experimental sessions in the Laboratory are usually preceded by instructional sessions where student participants are taught about the activities they will be doing in the laboratory. Despite this activity, many times students approach the actual experimentation in the laboratory as mere routine with an expected result. Hence, they are not mentally engaged rather expecting to follow strict procedures as written in the book (manual) and deliver as expected by the book. This is a hindrance to… Show more

Experimental sessions in the Laboratory are usually preceded by instructional sessions where student participants are taught about the activities they will be doing in the laboratory. Despite this activity, many times students approach the actual experimentation in the laboratory as mere routine with an expected result. Hence, they are not mentally engaged rather expecting to follow strict procedures as written in the book (manual) and deliver as expected by the book. This is a hindrance to actual learning. This seminar considers an inquiry-based learning approach as a teaching technique for pre-laboratory sessions by Graduate Teaching Assistants which will help engage the undergraduate students more in laboratory activities for productive learning. Show less

Measurements of body features and other physical parameters of the human body were taken by the authors of Nigeria paraplegics. Several anthropometric measurements, both static and dynamic categories were taken ranging from height, forward reach to Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC). Data collected were analyzed using percentile basis for the 5th, 50th and 95th percentile. The result of this survey as presented will serve as a guide and provide anthropometric databank for designers of… Show more

Measurements of body features and other physical parameters of the human body were taken by the authors of Nigeria paraplegics. Several anthropometric measurements, both static and dynamic categories were taken ranging from height, forward reach to Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC). Data collected were analyzed using percentile basis for the 5th, 50th and 95th percentile. The result of this survey as presented will serve as a guide and provide anthropometric databank for designers of utilities, workspace and equipments for Nigeria paraplegics. Show less