1 ph CFD analysis of solar panel array using translational Periodicity in Fluent
 

Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum as a registered member but I have found answers to many of my past cfd problems in this forum.

Problem:
I am currently trying to analyse an array of solar panels to calculate the drag and lift forces. The array has 100 x 100 solar panels, with each solar panel's dimension as 2000mm x 1000mm x 40mm. The panels are mounted in a landscape format with 5 deg tilt from the ground facing south. Solar panels have zero ground clearance. As the array is very big, it is very difficult to mesh the whole domain.

Question:
1. Is it possible to create a mesh for only one solar panel and then create the 100 x 100 array using the translational periodic feature in fluent?
2. The subsequent rows of solar panels will experience sheltering from the row in front leading to a lower wind load. Will the sheltering effect be captured by the periodic mesh?

Looking forward to some insight and discussion on this. Thanks in advance.

2. The sheltering effect can be captured; but using the periodic BC you will end up with the solution to an infinite array (not a 100x100 array).

1. Nothing to do with periodic BC's but you can translate the mesh and merge them together and recursively build a mesh for a 100x100 array.

Thanks for the suggestion.