A special feature of the system is the use of viscous dampers located on the outer columns of the tracker. These dampers help to stiffen the system, limiting torsional deformations of the main rotation axis, especially when wind gusts act on the structure.
The RFEM capacities allowed to model “damper” members and to perform a time history analysis using the dynamic analysis add-on modules, thus simulating the actual behavior of the solar tracker structure under a constant wind profile with gusts. A time history analysis was also performed with time-varying wind loads from wind tunnel tests to assess the sensitivity to aeroelastic phenomena and fatigue conditions.
The system is installed near the city of Seville, in southern Spain, an area that is sunny almost all year round, which means that this type of energy can be used to great advantage.
| Location | Seville surroundings Seville, Spain |
| Structural Design and Consulting | Axial Structural Solutions https://www.axialstructural.com |
