Vortex generators alter particle transport in solar photovoltaics

Extreme heat, high winds, and airborne debris threaten production and lifespan of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Impacts of such hazards are dependent on local and plant-scale arrangement, where turbulent coherent structure enhancement modifies heat transfer and particle distributions for large-scale PV arrays. In lieu of costly design changes, panel-mounted vortex generators (VGs) and flow control (FC) devices promote panel cooling, but little is known relating turbulent structure formation to cooling and particle transport toward harmful impact and soiling. This work presents new perspectives on VG and FC-imposed turbulence, highlighting the role of coherent structures in transport of heat and debris in PV systems. Scaled wind tunnel experiments were developed ranging VG and FC designs. Comparing neutrally-buoyant to inertial particle-laden flow (φ_v ∈ [0 → 2.1 × 10^-5]), time-resolved particle image velocimetry uncovers spatio-temporal variations as modified by VG and FC presence, and allows for temporal analysis of particle spatial heterogeneity through lacunarity. Embedded thermocouples connect panel cooling to structure enhancement. Results inform the complex role of turbulence in PV systems, introducing panel-scale flow manipulation as a unique solution to hazard mitigation.