Abstract
The article presents some results of the analysis of the influence of the distance between the collectors’ rows in thermal solar systems on the degree of self-shading. For the purposes of the study, the dimensionless ratio Ks between the required minimum distance between the rows, guaranteeing the absence of self-shading, and the height of the collectors, was used. A simulation study was performed for specific climatic conditions and the annual solar radiation incident on the collectors’ array at different degrees of self-shading was determined. Its annual financial equivalent for various alternative heat sources (electricity, natural gas, wood pellets, district heating and gas oil) was assessed, as well as the necessary investment costs for construction of the solar system. A regression relationship between the coefficient of net present value NPVQ and Ks was derived and its optimal values were established, which ensure the achievement of maximum economic efficiency of the system operation for the considered replaced heat sources.
Highlights
Solar energy is utilized via thermal [1] and photovoltaic solar systems
The presented dependencies B f Ks and Ia Ks clearly illustrate the different rates of change of each. This allows to formulate the hypothesis that there is an optimal value of the criterion "net present value ratio", defined by (9) and showing the net income from the operation of the system for an investment of BGN 1
NPVQ f Ks were studied in order to find the optimal values of the ratio Ks,opt at which the maximum value of NPVQ f Ks is achieved
Summary
In solar systems designed to provide large capacities it is necessary to divide the collector’s array in more than one row Often in such cases, the available surface on the building roof or the ground is limited and shading between the rows is inevitable. The available surface on the building roof or the ground is limited and shading between the rows is inevitable In such circumstances, determining the degree of self-shading of all rows behind the first one is a prerequisite for correct assessment of the solar radiation incident on the array. This applies to both thermal and photovoltaic solar systems [2]. According to data from various sources, e.g. [3, 4], the length of the rows does not have a noticeable effect on the solar radiation falling on the collectors’ array, which is confirmed by the author's research, carried out with the simulation software Transol [5]
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