Numerical Study on the Performance Effect of Solidity on the Straight-Bladed Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Abstract

The solidity is one of the most important factors which greatly affects the performance of the straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbine (SB-VAWT). In this study, numerical computations were carried out on a small model of the SB-VAWT with different solidities to invest its performance effects. Two kinds of solidity were decided, and for each one, three patterns were selected by changing the blade chord and number. Numerical computations based on the 2 dimensions incompressible steady flow were made. Flow fields around the SB-VAWT were obtained, and the torque and power coefficients were also calculated. According to the computation results under the conditions of this study, the effects of solidity on both the static and dynamic performance of the SB-VAWT were discussed.