Numerical Simulation Study of Temperature Effects of Cable Forces and Module Frames in Cable-Supported Photovoltaic Power Stations

The cable-supported photovoltaic （PV） power station structure uses suspension cables instead of traditional steel beams to support PV modules， representing a novel application of cable structures. Temperature effects are also a critical load for cable structures： under high temperatures， thermal expansion of the cables causes a reduction in cable force， which affects the overall structural geometry and stiffness； under low temperatures， thermal contraction increases cable force， impacting the structure’s bearing capacity. However， to date， scientists and engineers have conducted limited research on the temperature effects of cable-supported PV power stations. This paper systematically analyzed and studied the cable force and temperature effects on module frames in cable-supported PV power stations. It proposed empirical formulas to analyze the temperature effects on cable force and to determine the cable force without temperature effects， for two types of cable-supported PV power stations under various conditions. The accuracy of these empirical formulas was validated by comparing them with finite element analysis （FEA） results. The use of these formulas to calculate cable force reduced the need for finite element computation， improving the design efficiency of cable-supported PV power station structures. Furthermore， this study revealed the stress distribution patterns of PV module frames under temperature effects. Without cable structures， the most critical stress location on the PV module frame was at the junction of the long and short edges， showing a “concave” stress distribution. With cable structures， under cooling conditions， the critical stress location was at the connection between the frame and the prestressed steel strand， exhibiting an “M”-shaped stress distribution. Under heating conditions， the critical stress location shifted to the junction of the long and short edges， with a “W”-shaped stress distribution.