scholarly journals Solar Potential in Saudi Arabia for Flat-Plate Surfaces of Varying Tilt Tracking the Sun

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 11564
Author(s):  
Harry D. Kambezidis ◽  
Ashraf Farahat ◽  
Mansour Almazroui ◽  
Emad Ramadan

The objective of the present work is to investigate the performance of flat-plate solar panels in Saudi Arabia that continuously follow the daily motion of the sun. To that end, the annual energy sums are estimated for such surfaces at 82 locations covering all Saudi Arabia. All calculations use a surface albedo of 0.2 and another one with a near-real value. The variation of the solar energy sums on annual, seasonal, and monthly basis is given for near-real ground albedos; the analysis provides regression equations for the energy sums as function of time. A map of the annual inclined solar energy for Saudi Arabia is derived and presented. The annual energy sums are found to vary between 2159 and 4078 kWhm−2year−1. Finally, a correction factor, introduced in a recent publication, is used; it is confirmed that the linear relationship between the correction factor and the ground-albedo ratio is general enough to be graphically representable as a nomogram. A discussion regarding the differences among solar systems on horizontal, fixed-tilt, 1-axis, and 2-axis systems is presented.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 7105
Author(s):  
Ashraf Farahat ◽  
Harry D. Kambezidis ◽  
Mansour Almazroui ◽  
Mohammed Al Al Otaibi

The objective of the present work is to investigate the optimally performing tilt angles in Saudi Arabia of solar panels that follow the daily motion of the Sun. To that end, the annual energy sums are estimated for surfaces with tilt angles in the range 5°–55° at 82 locations covering all Saudi Arabia. All calculations use a surface albedo of 0.2 and a near-real value, too. It is found that tilt angles of 40°, 45°, and 50°, respectively, are optimal for the three recently defined solar energy zones in Saudi Arabia. The variation of the energy sums in each energy zone on annual, seasonal and monthly basis is given for near-real ground albedos; the analysis provides regression equations for the energy sums as functions of time. A map of the annual global inclined solar energy for Saudi Arabia is derived and presented. The annual energy sums are found to vary between 2159 kWhm−2year−1 and 4078 kWhm−2year−1. Finally, a correction factor, introduced in a recent publication, is used; it is confirmed that the relationship between the correction factor and either the tilt angle or the ground-albedo ratio has a general application and it may constitute a nomogram.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 4101
Author(s):  
Ashraf Farahat ◽  
Harry D. Kambezidis ◽  
Mansour Almazroui ◽  
Emad Ramadan

The major objective of the present work is to investigate into the appropriate tilt angles of south-oriented solar panels in Saudi Arabia for maximum performance. This is done with the estimation of the annual energy sums received on surfaces with tilt angles in the range 15°–55° inclined to south at 82 locations covering all Saudi Arabia. The analysis shows that tilt angles of 20°, 25° and 30° towards south are the optimum ones depending on site. These optimum tilt angles define three distinct solar energy zones in Saudi Arabia. The variation of the energy sums in each energy zone on annual, seasonal and monthly basis is given; the analysis provides regression equations for the energy sums as function of time in each case. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of the annual global inclined solar energy in Saudi Arabia is shown in a solar map specially derived. The annual energy sums are found to vary between 1612 kWhm−2year−1 and 2977 kWhm−2year−1 across the country. Finally, the notion of a correction factor is introduced, defined, and employed. This factor can be used to correct energy values estimated by a reference ground albedo to those based on near-real ground albedo.


Drones ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Jorge L. Hernandez-Toral ◽  
Iván González-Hernández ◽  
Rogelio Lozano

In recent years, solar energy has been used as an energy source for many different applications. Currently in the area of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), there are research studies that incorporate this renewable energy technology to increase the vehicle’s autonomy. This technique also needs particular construction techniques and electronic boards, designed to reduce weight and increase the efficiency of all solar systems on board the UAV. As is well known, the amount of generated solar energy could be increased throughout a day a sun tracking technique is added. The present paper proves that the roll angle of a fixed wing UAV can be used to track the sun to increase the energy generated by the solar panels placed on the wing. In that case, the plane’s attitude must be compensated with the yaw angle control to be able to perform a photogrammetric mission. This will be achieved using a control strategy based on the super-twisting technique that ensures convergence in finite time even in the presence of bounded perturbations. The design of the control laws as well as the numerical simulation and real flight results are shown to validate the use of the sun tracking system.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-35
Author(s):  
M Barkah Salim ◽  
Nurlaila Rajabiah

The sun is a source of energy that cannot be used up. Therefore, the utilization of solar energy must be a priority. With the many types of solar panels that have been developed, researchers conducted an analysis of 150 watt monocrystalline solar panels. The purpose of this study is to know the amount of current and voltage produced by solar panels in some conditions of the sky, namely cloudy, bright cloudy, and bright. The research method used was the experiment. From the data that has been obtained, it can be found that the energy produced by solar panels during cloudy ranges from 0.6-0.8 amperes, when it is cloudy, 0.9-1.9 amperes, and when bright 2.0-3.2 amperes. The amount of electrical energy that can be produced is 8%. However, if the sunny state can produce twice that Suggestions for readers are if you want to take data to make sure the solar panels are completely exposed to the sun during data collection and in the open area. Much better if the angle is adjusted in the direction of sunlight.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Tae-Yong Park ◽  
Joo-Yong Jung ◽  
Hyun-Ung Oh

Cube satellites have a limitation for generating power because of their cubic structure and extremely small size. In addition, the incidence angle between the sun and the solar panels continuously varies owing to the revolution and rotation of the satellite according to the attitude control strategy. This angle is an important parameter for determining the power generation performance of the cube satellite. In this study, we performed an experimental feasibility study that uses a Fresnel lens as a solar-energy collection system for cube satellite applications, so that the power generation efficiency can be enhanced under the worst incidence angle condition between the sun and solar panels by concentrating and redirecting solar energy onto the solar panels with a commercial Fresnel lens. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed system, we conducted a power-measurement test using a solar simulator and Fresnel lenses at various angles to the light source. In addition, we predicted the on-orbit power-generation enhancement achieved by employing the solar-energy collection system with various attitude control strategies.


2014 ◽  
Vol 554 ◽  
pp. 271-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Islam Mazharul ◽  
Ruhul Amin Muhammad ◽  
Farid Nasir Ani

Saudi Arabia is endowed with abundant solar energy which is readily available from the sun. Solar energy is one of main renewable energy sources and it can be harnessed for an array of applications including heating, cooling and generation of electricity. Due to its hot climate and relatively high purchasing power capability of the general population, Saudi Arabia has a huge demand for air-conditioning (cooling) appliances. Currently these appliances are mainly powered by electricity generated by conventional sources using fossil fuels. Solar air-conditioning system is an emerging technology which relies on the sun for meeting the energy demand. One attractive feature of this system is that the high demand for space cooling by air-conditioning equipment coincides with the abundant availability of solar irradiation during the long summer months. Currently there are several types of solar air-conditioning systems, including the absorption, adsorption and desiccant systems. Each system has its merits and demerits. In this paper, the prospects of using absorption solar thermal air-conditioning systems for space cooling in Saudi Arabia are given.


2014 ◽  
Vol 118 (1203) ◽  
pp. 540-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Harasani ◽  
M. Khalid ◽  
N. Arai ◽  
K. Fukuda ◽  
K. Hiraoka

Abstract King Abdul Aziz University of Saudi Arabia (KAU) and Tokai University in Japan have collaborated to design and manufacture a solar powered unmanned air vehicle (UAV), Sun Falcon, which has capability of continuous one day fight with intended design extension towards night flight. The project is a student-driven endeavour involving some 30 students. Both universities are equally involved in the actual design studies of the performance characteristics, aerodynamic design, propulsion and structural analysis. Tokai University is in charge of the actual on-site supervision and examination of on-going manufacturing processes and ultimate fabrication of the prototype model. The conceptual design of the Sun Falcon was meticulously worked out in consideration of the operational mission, which included such flight characteristics as the cruising velocity, flight altitude, payload, flight time, rate of climb, power requirements and so on. The weather condition patterns in Saudi Arabia, which remained fairly supportive of the solar cell performance, were also deemed crucial in the design process. However, the design of a solar plane had other challenges in terms of power unit accommodation and payload consideration in comparison to other conventional UAVs. In this paper, an outline of the design features of the Sun Falcon is presented and other notable design features particular to solar UAVs are discussed. It was learnt in this exercise that the selection of the base aerofoil is perhaps one of the most important design items, as the Reynolds number for such UAVs understandably drops notably lower than conventional aeroplanes and such features as the camber curvature and wing area must cater for the installation of solar panels whose size, strength and quantity must respect local weather conditions. For the Sun Falcon, the actual design process examined two candidate aerofoils FX74-CL5-140 (FX74) and SD7037-092-88(SD7037) both of which were abundantly suitable for furnishing the required aerodynamic characteristics. SD7037 was ultimately chosen as it provided the best geometry and camber line in terms of accommodation and placement of the solar panels. Further scrutiny demonstrated that this latter aerofoil provided better take-off performance and superior L/D behaviour under cruise conditions. In order to check out the aerodynamic performance in general and overall stability and control characteristics, a preflight test under battery power (a 2,500 mAh li-po 4-cell 14·8v) was achieved on 4 June 2013. Other solar powered based tests are currently under way at present.


F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 1381
Author(s):  
Jacek Harazin ◽  
Andrzej Wróbel

Roof mounted solar panels come in form of fixed panels, unable to adjust to sun’s position during day and throughout the year. As an effect, the efficiency of such solution is usually dependent on the roof slope and position of the building in relation to sun’s day arc during seasons. These problems can be bypassed in free standing solar installations by equipping solar panels with solar tracker installations. Thanks to solar tracking, solar panels can be dynamically positioned perpendicular to the sun position and gather energy more efficiently throughout the day. This article presents a possibility of creating a roof mounted solar tracking panel to increase its efficiency. A prototype of solar tracking panel with two axes of movement was designed with an intention of an easy adaptation to being mounted on sloped surfaces of building roofs. A reference stationary panel was used to compare the efficiency of both solutions. A 5-day study was carried out to determine if the proposed solution could provide any benefits. Based on the study, the authors made an attempt to draw a conclusion whether the design could considerably increase the solar energy output to be worth the extra spending associated with solar tracker installation.


Author(s):  
Luqman Ahmed Pirzada ◽  
Xiaoli Wu . ◽  
Qaiser Ali ◽  
Asif Khateeb .

Solar energy is radiant light as a form of thermal heat energy which can be obtained and used by means of a variety of solar apparatus. As apparatus the flat and curved plate solar collector is specifically designed for assembling solar energy as a solar water heater system. The designing potency of this collector lone can generate medium level hot water from radiant sunlight source via absorbed plates. Standard type flat and curved plates solar collector plates are mostly used in remote coldest regions of the world where hot water is consumed for commercial and domestic purposes. These types of solar collector Plates can cheaply be manufactured compared to other solar panels like solar Shingles, Polycrystalline Solar Panels, Mono-crystalline Solar Panels, and Thin Film Solar Panels. For future work, this proposed pre-design is recommended for fabrication. A numerical study was carried-out on eight city locations in China by tracing their horizontal and vertical longitudinal, latitudinal lines noting the date, time and sunlight feeding of temperatures in the Celsius scale with the help of simulation and modeling tools like CFD, ANSYS FLUENT software, mesh geometry tools, and by using the Navier-Stokes and Continuity equations by fluid flow discharge rate, mass flow, water temperature and dropping of temperature, radiation working mechanisms, dimensions of water flowing tubes and absorber plates, density, the velocity of water as the working fluid, the viscosity of water in a cold and hot state as a process of Pre-design. Work also focuses on the comparison between flat plate collector and curved plate collector radiant sunlight absorption, As end result it is found the Curved plate collector produces 22% more elevated heat of outgoing water than flat plate collector.


2013 ◽  
Vol 723 ◽  
pp. 594-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Wayne Lee ◽  
Andrew J. Correia ◽  
Brett D.J. Neilan ◽  
Ben Dahn

All day long the transportation infrastructure receives solar energy from the sun rays, storing much of them as heat that is left to dissipate by nightfall. The concept of harvesting solar energy from transportation infrastructure is enticing because it offers a way to collect solar energy by utilizing an extensive infrastructure that already exists. Thus, an attempt was made to investigate novel methods for solar energy harvesting and conversion with potential economic efficiency substantially beyond that of current technology. Particularly, a comparative study was conducted between rigid and flexible solar panels.


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