Wind loads on solar energy roofs

C.P.W. Geurts, C.A. van Bentum
TNO Built Environment and Geosciences, Delft, the Netherlands

This paper presents an overview of the wind loads on roofs, equipped with solar energy products, so called Active Roofs. Values given in this paper have been based on wind tunnel and full scale measurements, carried out at TNO, and on an interpretation of existing rules and guidelines. The results are presented in the format of the new Eurocode on Wind loads, EN 1991-1-4. A classification of active roofs is presented, with respect to wind loads. Finally, a proposal for rules to design of fixings and substructures for these products against wind loads is defined. Future work is recommended, which will partially be carried out in the ongoing project in the EU-FP6, EUR-Active Roofer.

Key words: Wind loads, pressure coefficients, solar energy systems

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	Wind loads on solar energy roofs C.P.W. Geurts, C.A. van Bentum TNO Built Environment and Geosciences, Delft, the Netherlands This paper presents an overview of the wind loads on roofs, equipped with solar energy products, so called Active Roofs. Values given in this paper have been based on wind tunnel and full scale measurements, carried out at TNO, and on an interpretation of existing rules and guidelines. The results are presented in the format of the new Eurocode on Wind loads, EN 1991-1-4. A classification of active roofs is presented, with respect to wind loads. Finally, a proposal for rules to design of fixings and substructures for these products against wind loads is defined. Future work is recommended, which will partially be carried out in the ongoing project in the EU-FP6, EUR-Active Roofer. Key words: Wind loads, pressure coefficients, solar energy systems