Work

Approach to determine wind loads on small heliostats

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • Small heliostats have become more important in recent decades. • Methods for wind load determination were first developed for larger heliostats. • Wind speed, turbulence spectra, resonance, and fatigue have to be considered. • Appropriate methods and adjustments to lower heights if needed are presented. Due to changing boundary conditions like reduced controller cost and the need for higher flux densities, smaller heliostats have become more and more important in recent decades. The methods for determining heliostat wind loads were initially developed for the larger heliostats common at the time. For smaller heliostats, it is important to choose suitable methods for the individual steps of wind load determination and, if necessary, to adapt them to the lower height. These steps involve determining the maximum wind speeds, the turbulence spectra, the pressure distribution time series, the dynamic amplification, and the wind load spectra.

Source: Solar Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2025.113551

Author: Andreas Pfahl

Institution: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

Language: English

Topic: Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900