Simplified solutions for aeroelastic stability of cable suspended solar panel systems

This study investigates the aeroelastic instability of cable suspended solar panel systems using analytical and experimental approaches. A simplified procedure for predicting critical velocity is proposed, comprising two closed-form equations for estimating fundamental frequencies and flutter velocity. This simplified procedure enables engineers to quickly assess flutter velocity, allowing for tailoring the structural properties for better design. Wind tunnel tests validate the proposed procedure, with maximum differences falling within 15.6 % in frequency and 15.4 % in flutter velocity. Bimodal coupled flutter occurred at low panel tilt angles of less than 5°, while torsional flutter was mainly observed at high tilt angles above this threshold. Flutter occurred only in the panel when the wind direction was nose-up and was not observed in the nose-down wind direction within the tested range of reduced wind speeds. This is because the cable tension and stiffness greatly increased due to the wind load component in the direction of gravity. Furthermore, wind tunnel tests were extended to multiple-row configurations to explore shielding effects and separation distances between rows. Complex wind-induced vibration phenomena, including flutter, wake buffeting, and vortex-induced vibration, were observed, necessitating further examination.