Ellen Phiddian
Cosmos science journalist
Fine-tuning their programming could help panels on solar farms perform better while resisting damage, according to a new study.
The study, published in Physics of Fluids, outlines a way for panels to optimise their angles to get the best out of windy conditions.
While wind can make solar panels more efficient by cooling them, it can also cause damage when it gets too strong.
Photovoltaic panels on solar farms are often placed on moving mounts, so they can rotate over the course of a day and absorb as much sunlight as possible. These panels can also enter a stowing position if wind speeds get too high, which is supposed to prevent damage.
In this study, researchers developed a numerical decision-making model for individual panels to respond to different wind speeds, deciding what angle to sit at and when to stow.
“By blending advanced fluid dynamics and artificial intelligence, we saw an opportunity to address wind damage risks innovatively and contribute to the resilience of renewable energy systems,” says co-author Elie Hachem, from PSL University, France.
The researchers used simulations of wind and machine learning to develop their model. They found that the panels could still operate beyond current safeguard limits, as long as they were tilted at specific angles to reduce stress.
“It’s like teaching the panels to dance with the wind, minimising damage while protecting energy production during high wind speeds,” says Hachem.
The researchers say that their method is scalable, and could be built into future solar power plants.
