A Practical Approach for Estimating the Optimum Tilt Angle of a Photovoltaic Panel for a Long Period—Experimental Recorded Data

Reza Hassanian,Nashmin Yeganeh,Runar Unnthorsson,Morris Riedel

doi:10.3390/solar1010005

Reza Hassanian, Nashmin Yeganeh + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/solar1010005

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Abstract

In this study, recorded empirical data were applied with a practical approach to investigate the optimal tilt angle of the flat plate collectors facing south for a long period in Tehran, Iran. The data included 20 years of recorded average total radiation on the horizontal plane in Tehran’s meteorological station. Based on the previous studies, the annual optimum tilt angle for Tehran was estimated at 33 degrees annually; however, this estimation does not focus on the energy absorption and effectiveness of changing the tilt angle monthly, seasonally, and bi-annually via measured data. This paper aims to explain this distinction between various radiation receptions with different tilt angle adjustments. This study shows that annual solar cumulative radiation energy gained via a monthly tilt angle can be approximately 7% higher than that achieved with an annual tilt angle setup. Additionally, the seasonal and bi-annual tilt angles have about 6% more annual cumulative radiation absorption than the annual tilt angle setup. Moreover, with consideration of similar monthly received radiation, the results illustrate that the radiation gained with a monthly tilt angle set up was 20% greater in the summer months than an annual tilt angle adjustment.

Highlights

IntroductionThis amount seems to be an excellent source to meet human needs, especially because its use does not cause any environmental damage or pollution [1,2,3]
The major drawbacks in the application of solar energy are the lack of concentration, periodicity, and the instability of the amount of solar radiation
Climate change, CO2 emission, and sustainable energy are significant considerations; this paper shows it is necessary to focus on the optimum tilt angle, based on maximum sustainable energy absorption

Summary

Introduction

This amount seems to be an excellent source to meet human needs, especially because its use does not cause any environmental damage or pollution [1,2,3]. If a device is supposed to focus solar energy so that its fluctuations do not affect the received solar radiation much, the sun becomes a vast energy source that can meet century-old human energy needs. Given the state of power in the world and the growth of population and power consumption, if treated wisely, the sun is the only source of energy that is abundantly and freely available to humans in all eras.

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