Wind Load Analysis and Pressure Distribution on Rooftop PV Installations

Harnessing solar photovoltaic technology through rooftop installations presents a practical and environmentally sustainable approach to reducing reliance on conventional fossil fuel–based energy sources. Deployed on residential and commercial buildings, these systems facilitate distributed power generation, contributing to enhanced energy autonomy and the promotion of sustainable energy practices. To ensure the structural safety and efficient performance of rooftop solar arrays, it is essential to examine the pressure distribution acting on their surfaces, particularly under wind-induced loading conditions. This study examines the aerodynamic response of rectangular and pentagonal solar panels installed at a tilt angle of 12°, subjected to wind velocities of 5 m/s and 25 m/s with incident angles of 0°, 45°, 135°, and 180°. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques are utilized to evaluate surface pressure distributions, enabling precise estimation of aerodynamic loads, assessment of structural durability, optimization of panel configurations, and identification of regions susceptible to stress concentration. The outcomes of this investigation provide valuable insights for the safe, reliable, and efficient deployment of rooftop photovoltaic systems