Local Tilt Optimization of Photovoltaic Solar Panels for Maximum Radiation Absorption

Incident solar radiation on photovoltaic (PV) solar panels is not constant throughout the year. Besides dependence on the season, solar radiation is reliant on the location and weather conditions. For a given location on Earth, the best-fixed orientation of a PV panel can be determined by achieving...

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Main Authors: Mauro Masili, Liliane Ventura
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-01-01
Series:International Journal of Photoenergy
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/3254780
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author Mauro Masili
Liliane Ventura
author_facet Mauro Masili
Liliane Ventura
author_sort Mauro Masili
collection DOAJ
description Incident solar radiation on photovoltaic (PV) solar panels is not constant throughout the year. Besides dependence on the season, solar radiation is reliant on the location and weather conditions. For a given location on Earth, the best-fixed orientation of a PV panel can be determined by achieving the maximum incident solar irradiance throughout the year or for a predetermined period. In this paper, we use a sophisticated atmospheric radiative transfer model to calculate the direct and diffuse solar irradiation (radiant exposure) for the solar spectrum incident on PV solar panels to determine the best tilt angle of the panel in order to maximize absorption of solar radiation for selected periods. We used the Regula-Falsi numerical method to obtain the tilt angle at which the derivative of solar irradiation (concerning the tilt angle) approaches zero. Moreover, the spectral response of typical silicon cells is taken into account. These calculations were carried out in São Carlos (SP), a town in the southeast of Brazil. The best tilt angle was obtained for three selected periods. Additionally, we provide results for Southern latitudes ranging from 0° to −55° in steps of −5° for the meteorological seasons. We have shown that for each period, there is an increase in solar radiation absorption compared to the traditional installation angle based exclusively on the local latitude. These calculations can be extended to any location.
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spelling doaj-art-3076867d6ee1441fa1c29c19149e6d6f2025-08-20T02:07:53ZengWileyInternational Journal of Photoenergy1110-662X1687-529X2019-01-01201910.1155/2019/32547803254780Local Tilt Optimization of Photovoltaic Solar Panels for Maximum Radiation AbsorptionMauro Masili0Liliane Ventura1Department of Electrical Engineering, University of São Paulo (EESC/USP), Av. Trabalhador Saocarlense 400, São Carlos, SP 13566-590, BrazilDepartment of Electrical Engineering, University of São Paulo (EESC/USP), Av. Trabalhador Saocarlense 400, São Carlos, SP 13566-590, BrazilIncident solar radiation on photovoltaic (PV) solar panels is not constant throughout the year. Besides dependence on the season, solar radiation is reliant on the location and weather conditions. For a given location on Earth, the best-fixed orientation of a PV panel can be determined by achieving the maximum incident solar irradiance throughout the year or for a predetermined period. In this paper, we use a sophisticated atmospheric radiative transfer model to calculate the direct and diffuse solar irradiation (radiant exposure) for the solar spectrum incident on PV solar panels to determine the best tilt angle of the panel in order to maximize absorption of solar radiation for selected periods. We used the Regula-Falsi numerical method to obtain the tilt angle at which the derivative of solar irradiation (concerning the tilt angle) approaches zero. Moreover, the spectral response of typical silicon cells is taken into account. These calculations were carried out in São Carlos (SP), a town in the southeast of Brazil. The best tilt angle was obtained for three selected periods. Additionally, we provide results for Southern latitudes ranging from 0° to −55° in steps of −5° for the meteorological seasons. We have shown that for each period, there is an increase in solar radiation absorption compared to the traditional installation angle based exclusively on the local latitude. These calculations can be extended to any location.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/3254780
spellingShingle Mauro Masili
Liliane Ventura
Local Tilt Optimization of Photovoltaic Solar Panels for Maximum Radiation Absorption
International Journal of Photoenergy
title Local Tilt Optimization of Photovoltaic Solar Panels for Maximum Radiation Absorption
title_full Local Tilt Optimization of Photovoltaic Solar Panels for Maximum Radiation Absorption
title_fullStr Local Tilt Optimization of Photovoltaic Solar Panels for Maximum Radiation Absorption
title_full_unstemmed Local Tilt Optimization of Photovoltaic Solar Panels for Maximum Radiation Absorption
title_short Local Tilt Optimization of Photovoltaic Solar Panels for Maximum Radiation Absorption
title_sort local tilt optimization of photovoltaic solar panels for maximum radiation absorption
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/3254780
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