PV systems

PV rooftop or ground mount systems are rarely covered by international standards, meaning that there are no standardized design provisions for these systems. We therefore determine aerodynamic pressure coefficients and design wind load for our clients, drawing on both product-specific measurements in one of our wind tunnels and our more than 15 years experience of wind tunnel testing on PV systems.

Our state-of-the-art analyses comply with all relevant German guidelines such as DIN EN 1991-1-4 and the "Merkblatt zu Windkanaluntersuchungen in der Gebäudeaerodynamik" of the Windtechnologischen Gesellschaft e.V. cited in DIN EN 1991-1-4/NA. In addition to European standards, our investigations are also compliant with international standards, in particular the strict American building standard ASCE 7-22 and the American guideline for wind tunnel investigations ASCE 49-21, both of which are recognized as pioneers with regard to PV wind loads.

Since the beginning of our wind load analyses of PV systems, our reports have also been used in the USA and have withstood all the reviews required there by other wind engineers. We are an accredited test center and wind tunnel operator with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety.

For the safe dimensioning and installation of PV rooftop systems on pitched and flat roofs, precise knowledge of the effects of wind is crucial and is generally the dominant factor in the design. The special aerodynamic conditions of roofs as well as the properties of the PV systems must be taken into account. For our clients - mostly manufacturers of mounting systems - we determine pressure coefficients and wind load provisions that reflect the aerodynamic characteristics of the mounting system and thus enable a safe, resource-saving and economical design.

The wind effect is also often the dominant component in the design of ground-mounted PV systems. A whole range of load effects play a role here, as do dynamic load components. The latter applies in particular to solar tracking systems, which follow the position of the sun and are therefore flexible. Here too, we carry out wind tunnel tests for our clients in order to determine the relevant pressure coefficients and load effects and to help them on their way to an economical design.

Although agrivoltaic systems are also basically ground-mounted systems, the constructions sometimes differ significantly.

Depending on the type, agrivoltaic systems range from classic ground-mounted systems with increased ground clearance to vertically mounted "solar fences" or modules fixed on cables.

Whatever your design, we will be happy to advise you on the wind loads involved. We can draw on our own research on the subject quantifying the effect of a greater ground clearance. We can also help you with very specific substructures or arrangements : our wind tunnel tests on a scaled model of your system will provide you with customized wind loads for your project.