Optimizing the Solar PV Tilt Angle to Maximize the Power Output: A Case Study for Saudi Arabia

Many photovoltaic solar projects do not achieve optimum energy and power outputs due to poor technical sizing and system design approaches. Concerns on low-conversion rates, high intermittencies, and high-capital costs still haunt PV projects. The establishment of design methodologies that would result in increased outputs from solar arrays is crucial in addressing the aforementioned issues. The tilt angles of installed PV modules are critical factors that influence the power output of solar modules. Several resources are available that provide generic linear fits and estimation of tilt angles for various global regions. However, very few are capable of determining precise, location-specific tilt angles that would allow for optimal power output and energy generation. This paper presents a methodology developed to establish the optimum tilt angles for solar panels installed at specific locations, thus ensuring maximum energy generation. The modeling is based on the maximization of the solar irradiation incident on the surface of a PV panel by considering multiple site-specific variables. Different sets of transcendent equations have been derived which were used to calculate optimum tilt angles and the subsequent energy generation from specific configurations of photovoltaic arrays. The resulting algorithms were used to determine optimum tilt angles and energy generation for solar PV installations in Athi River, Kenya. Dynamic and static optimal tilt angles were compared with the region’s baseline industry practice of using a fixed tilt angle of 15◦. It was observed that the dynamic tilt angles improved the daily solar energy output by up to 6.15%, while the computed optimal static tilt angle provided a 2.87% output increment. This improvement presents a significant impact on the technical specification of the PV system with a consequent reduction in the investment and operational cost of such installations. It further demonstrated that the use of the optimum static tilt angle results in cost and space savings of up to 2.8% as compared to the standard industry practice. Additionally, 5.8% cost and space savings were attained by the utilization of dynamic tilt angles.

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Combined Floating Offshore Wind and Solar PV

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering ◽

10.3390/jmse8080576 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 576 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mario López ◽

Noel Rodríguez ◽

Gregorio Iglesias

Keyword(s):

Hybrid Systems ◽

Wind Turbines ◽

Power Output ◽

Wind Farm ◽

Solar Power ◽

Offshore Wind ◽

Unit Surface Area ◽

Solar Pv ◽

Technical Specifications

To mitigate the effects of wind variability on power output, hybrid systems that combine offshore wind with other renewables are a promising option. In this work we explore the potential of combining offshore wind and solar power through a case study in Asturias (Spain)—a region where floating solutions are the only option for marine renewables due to the lack of shallow water areas, which renders bottom-fixed wind turbines inviable. Offshore wind and solar power resources and production are assessed based on high-resolution data and the technical specifications of commercial wind turbines and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. Relative to a typical offshore wind farm, a combined offshore wind–solar farm is found to increase the capacity and the energy production per unit surface area by factors of ten and seven, respectively. In this manner, the utilization of the marine space is optimized. Moreover, the power output is significantly smoother. To quantify this benefit, a novel Power Smoothing (PS) index is introduced in this work. The PS index achieved by combining floating offshore wind and solar PV is found to be of up to 63%. Beyond the interest of hybrid systems in the case study, the advantages of combining floating wind and solar PV are extensible to other regions where marine renewable energies are being considered.

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Optimal solar-PV tilt angle and azimuth: An Ontario (Canada) case-study

Energy Policy ◽

10.1016/j.enpol.2010.12.012 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 39 (3) ◽

pp. 1397-1409 ◽

Cited By ~ 72

Author(s):

Ian H. Rowlands ◽

Briana Paige Kemery ◽

Ian Beausoleil-Morrison

Keyword(s):

Tilt Angle ◽

Solar Pv

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Tilt Angle Optimization for Grid Interactive Solar Photovoltaic Array

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.110-116.4554 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 110-116 ◽

pp. 4554-4558

Author(s):

Ranchan Chauhan ◽

N.S. Thakur ◽

Sunil Chamoli

Keyword(s):

Tilt Angle ◽

Power Output ◽

Ground Surface ◽

Influential Factors ◽

Maximum Power ◽

Solar Pv ◽

Pv System ◽

Photovoltaic Array ◽

Maximum Power Output ◽

Solar Pv System

The overall performance of any solar energy project largely depends upon the available solar radiations, inclination and orientation of solar collectors. Presented in this paper is the analytical study on optimum tilt angles and lifetime differential savings for a distributed 200 kW grid connected mono-crystalline solar PV system operating at Khatkar Kalan, Punjab, India. The optimum tilt angles for monthly, seasonally and yearly basis is carried out by searching the values of tilt angle for which electric power output is maximum for a particular day or a specific period using energy conversion model. The results reveal that the yearly optimum tilt angle for the SPV plant at Khatkar Kalan is 36° which is 4.58° higher than the latitude angle. The power output from the array increases with increase in angle of tilt for winter months whereas the trend is reverse for the summer months. In winter months the maximum power output is achieved for the array surface with a tilt of angle 13° - 23° higher than the local latitude while for summer months the maximum power output is achieved at 16° lower than the latitude angle. The optimum tilt angles maximizing monthly power output for south facing surface shows that the monthly optimum tilt angle varies from 15° to 55°. Also the parametric analysis for some influential factors such as latitude of location and reflectivity of ground surface is explored.

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Optimization of tilt angle for solar panel: Case study for Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Applied Energy ◽

10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.10.001 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 88 (4) ◽

pp. 1427-1433 ◽

Cited By ~ 173

Author(s):

M. Benghanem

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Tilt Angle ◽

Solar Panel

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Maximization of Solar Radiation on PV Panels With Optimal Intervals and Tilt Angle: Case Study of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia

Frontiers in Energy Research ◽

10.3389/fenrg.2021.753998 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Makbul A. M. Ramli ◽

Houssem R. E. H. Bouchekara ◽

Mohammad S. Shahriar ◽

Ahmad H. Milyani ◽

Muhyaddin Rawa

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Solar Radiation ◽

Tilt Angle ◽

Optimization Problems ◽

Pso Algorithm ◽

Tracking Systems ◽

Key Factor ◽

Cost Efficient ◽

The Impact

A key factor in the performance of PV panels is the tilt angle, adjustable via various tracking systems. Fixed tilt angle PV panels miss out on most of the solar radiation each day whereas continuous tracking systems are not always cost-efficient, rather impractical in some cases. Therefore, adjusting the tilt angle using a limited number of periods per year can be a good, compromised solution. In this paper, a new approach is proposed to maximize the impact of solar radiation on PV panels by adjusting their tilt angles. Based on a limited number of periods or intervals per year, the optimal duration (number of days) of each period or interval along with the optimum tilt angle corresponding to each interval are determined by solving two interlinked optimization problems. These two problems are solved using the Most Valuable Player Algorithm (MVPA) combined with the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. The case study for Yanbu, a western coastal city of Saudi Arabia has been investigated. The obtained results show that the enhanced solar power generation can be achieved by using optimal intervals and optimum tilt angle and provide a suitable benchmark for similar techniques to be used in the future to solve the problem of tilt angle adjustment for maximizing PV panels output.

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