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Analysis of institutional authors

Cardenas-Rondon, Juan ACorresponding AuthorCarbajosa, CarlosAuthorMarín-Coca, SergioAuthorMartinez-Cava, AlejandroAuthor

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Parametric analysis of self-excited aeroelastic instability of an isolated-axis two-dimensional flat solar tracker

Publicated to:Results In Engineering. 24 103539- - 2024-12-02 24(), DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2024.103539

Authors: Cardenas-Rondon, Juan A; Carbajosa, Carlos; Marin-Coca, Sergio; Martinez-Cava, Alejandro

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Abstract

The escalating global energy demand is driving a transition towards sustainable energy sources, particularly solar power, which is experiencing significant growth. Single-axis, horizontally mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar trackers are emerging as one of the most cost-effective methods for solar energy generation. However, the reduction in structural stiffness has led to an increase in aeroelastic issues, some of which have resulted in catastrophic failures around the world, posing significant challenges. Recent aerodynamic studies have attributed these instabilities to stall flutter. The absence of a validated theory hampers early estimation of these aeroelastic phenomena. The primary aim in this work is to develop a semi-empirical framework to predict aeroelastic instabilities in isolated two-dimensional solar trackers, focusing on dynamic self-excited responses. This effort aims to improve the reliability and efficiency of solar tracker designs, optimizing energy utilization in the context of the evolving renewable energy landscape. The semi-empirical formulation developed here reveals the influence of geometric and mechanical characteristics on the critical wind speed at which aeroelastic instabilities set in. The effects of reduced inertia (m*) and mechanical damping coefficient (xi(mach)) of the structure on the critical wind speed at which aeroelastic instabilities arise are analyzed here. It is shown that increasing either inertia or damping has a minor impact on the critical speed when the initial values of these parameters are large, while the changes are significant when these initial values are small.

Keywords

Aeroelastic instabilitieAeroelastic instabilitiesFlutter derivativesForcesIdentificationOscillatioSolar energySolar tracker

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Results In Engineering due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2024 there are still no calculated indicators, but in 2023, it was in position 10/181, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Engineering, Multidisciplinary. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2025-06-04:

  • Scopus: 2

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-04:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 7 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (CARDENAS RONDON, JUAN ANDRES) and Last Author (MARTINEZ-CAVA AGUILAR, ALEJANDRO).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been CARDENAS RONDON, JUAN ANDRES.