Wind loads on rooftop solar photovoltaic panels oriented with varying azimuth angles: A comprehensive wind tunnel analysis

Effects of azimuth angles alpha, tilt angle beta, parapet height ratio H-p/H-s, and building corner modification were examined. The modules at the roof corner were subjected to unfavorable wind loads in a normal setting without alpha. In contrast, the unfavorable loads occurred on modules at the center of panel row close to the approaching flow for a none-zero alpha. The wind directions asso ciated with the largest most critical (C) over arc respectively. The largest most critical mean and negative peak module force coefficients denoted were 45 degrees, 45 degrees, 30 degrees, and 0 degrees at alpha = 0 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, and 45 degrees, by (C) over bar (fm) and (C) over arc and 11.9% larger than those at alpha = 0 degrees, 15 degrees, and 30 degrees, respectively. The more pronounced flow disturbance at larger alpha would induce larger RMS values of velocities around modules. The larger increased as alpha increased. The largest most critical (C) over arc at alpha = 45 degrees was 19.1%, 12.5%, RMS values of velocities might induce larger (C) over arc corner modification were effective aerodynamic approaches to reduce wind loads. The effect of on modules at larger alpha. Both the parapet and corner modification on wind loads depended on alpha. The largest most critical negative (C) over bar (fm) and (C) over arc decreased linearly with H-p/H-s for various alpha.