This project which forms a Master thesis work focuses on the aerodynamic simulation of a novel solar tracker system developed by Vaja AB, a Swedish company committed to accelerating the transition to a net-zero world through innovative solar energy solutions. This study aims to analyze the solar tracker’s aerodynamic performance under various environmental conditions using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations conducted with OpenFOAM. The primary tasks involve simulating the 3D aerodynamic response of the solar tracker to understand the forces, pressure distributions, and dynamic behaviour as a function of key parameters such as time, scale, wind speed, and wind direction. Additionally, the project will investigate the aerodynamic interactions
between multiple solar trackers, particularly the effects of downstream turbulence and
wake interference, which are critical for optimizing the system’s overall efficiency and
structural integrity. The outcomes of this project will provide valuable insights into the aerodynamic behaviour of the solar tracker, contributing to improved design strategies and operational reliability. The thesis work in general will also provide understanding of the rich physics related to the fluid structure interactions of flow past a flat plat in a real world setting which will be useful for the wider research and engineering community.