Experimental study on the interference effect of the wind-induced large torsional vibration of single-axis solar tracker arrays

To explore the interference effect of the wind-induced large torsional vibration of single-axis solar tracker arrays, 6 rows of segmental solar tracker models were tested. The large torsional vibration was observed in the wind tunnel, and the wind pressure on the model surface was simultaneously measured. The interference character-istics of the wind-induced large torsional vibration of single-axis solar tracker arrays were clarified. The results show that the interference effect is weak when the photovoltaic modules are placed nearly horizontal, and the solar trackers in all rows have large and coinciding torsional vibrations; while the interference effect of solar tracker arrays is obvious when the photovoltaic modules are placed obliquely, and the trackers in the leeward row are more prone to large torsional vibration. When the photovoltaic modules are placed nearly horizontal, the vibration amplitude increases rapidly after the wind speed reaches its critical value, and the fluid-structure coupling is strong, all of which agree with flutter vibration characteristics. When the photovoltaic modules are placed obliquely, a vortex is formed in the leeward row, and the vortex shedding is closely related to the large torsional vibration of the trackers in the leeward row, making the vibration closer to vortex-induced vibration.