Aerodynamic Performance of Photovoltaic Panels Subjected to Forced Vibrations: A Parametric Numerical Study

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are increasingly vulnerable to wind-induced dynamic effects, which can compromise their structural integrity and long-term performance. While previous research has primarily focused on static or steady aerodynamic behavior, the unsteady response of PV panels under forced vibrations remains insufficiently addressed. This study presents a comprehensive numerical analysis of a two-dimensional PV panel with a high side ratio (B/D = 100) subjected to prescribed forced vibrations. Simulations employed an overset grid technique to resolve unsteady flow features. Parametric variations included rotational oscillation amplitudes (0.1-0.7), frequencies (0.5-2.0 Hz), and inclination angles (-30° to 30°), alongside scenarios involving coupled rotational and vertical oscillations to reflect realistic dynamic loading conditions. Results demonstrated that increasing oscillation amplitudes can significantly enhance aerodynamic performance, while oscillation frequency modulated vortex shedding patterns, affecting pressure distributions and force fluctuations. Notably, coupled oscillations increased torsional moments while introducing damping effects that mitigated aerodynamic instabilities, particularly at zero-degree inclination. These findings reveal critical interactions between panel motion and unsteady aerodynamic loading, underscoring the importance of incorporating dynamic effects into the aerodynamic design and structural evaluation of PV systems.