Optimum Tilt Angles for Manual Tracking of Photovoltaic Modules
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.3121Keywords:
Solar photovoltaic panel, manual single axis tracking, em - pirical set of equations, optimum tilt angle, electrical energy.Abstract
This article reports the investigation for the average optimal tilt
angle of solar panels on a monthly basis (single axis tracking) for a
wide range of latitudes in the northern hemisphere to collect maximum
total solar irradiation. Based on experimentally validated modeling, a
new set of empirical relations has been proposed to compute the op -
timum tilt angle on a monthly basis for the entire year. The accuracy
of equations set is evaluated by standard statistical measures. The
proposed set of empirical equations is compared with an existing set of
empirical equations on various cities within the latitude and has yield -
ed significantly better results. Solar Advisory Model (SAM) has been
used to compare—with respect to a fixed Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV)
panel—the electricity predicted by (1) a new set of manual solar track-
ing equations, (2) an established set of solar tracking equations, and (3)
data from an automated single axis tracking system by a Programmable
Logic Controller or PLC. It is found that, the manual tracking system
based on the proposed set of equations generates an annual average
increase in electrical energy of (5-8)%, the old set of equation yields
annual increase of (2-4)% and the PLC automated single axis tracking
system generates a growth of (8-15)% over fixed SPV modules. Based
on the proposed empirical set of equation, a manual tracking system
has also been designed and commissioned to reaffirm the justification
of the proposed equation set.
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