Wind field characteristics of photovoltaic arrays based on wind tunnel tests

• Wind tunnel tests analyzed PV effects under 9 wind angles and varying speeds. • Airflow shows distinct stages: elevation, acceleration, vortex formation, recovery. • Wind disturbance decreases with height, showing clear vertical stratification. The large-scale deployment of photovoltaic power stations in Northwest China’s desert regions significantly disturbs near-surface wind fields, posing operational risks and worsening windblown sand hazards. This study investigates these effects using the Jiuduntan photovoltaic power station as a prototype, conducting wind tunnel experiments across nine wind direction angles and four wind speed gradients. The study shows that airflow generally exhibits multiple typical stages after contact with the array, including airflow elevation, acceleration, vortex formation, and recovery. The array induces distinct vertical stratification in the wind speed field disturbance, with the strongest disturbances occurring within the 3–12 cm height range and decreasing with height. On the windward side, the wind speed profile exhibits a “J”-shaped characteristic with a well-defined boundary layer structure, whereas on the leeward side, the wind speed generally deviates from the logarithmic profile. The photovoltaic array exerts a significant blocking and attenuation effect on the airflow. Under a reference wind speed of 16 m/s, the maximum wind speed reduction within the array ranges from 64.35 % to 99.84 %, with an average reduction rate between 17.74 % and 38.18 %. The strongest disturbance occurs at a wind direction of 225°. Based on these findings, it is recommended to optimize panel spacing, support height, and tilt angles on the windward side, and to install low-profile sand barriers beneath panels and along dominant wind directions with peripheral protections to form a multi-layered wind defense system, enhancing stability and resilience.