Computerized Tool for Students Training in Solar Geometry

Abstract

Renewable energies have experienced significant growth in recent years. The new installed capacity from renewable sources has surpassed the new installed capacity from conventional sources. Solar energy is the fastest growing and the most pervasive. In this sense, it is essential that the sizing and design of solar energy generation systems (such as photovoltaic systems or solar thermal systems) be carried out considering the solar geometry to ensure that that the location of the generation system allows capturing the greatest amount of solar radiation on any given day or time of the year and, thus, generate more energy. This paper presents the development of a computerized tool, for educational purposes, that allows performing solar geometry calculations to be used in solar energy generation systems. The computerized tool was developed using MATLAB® AppDesigner. The computerized tool facilitates and helps the study of how solar geometry affects the performance of solar energy systems. The computerized tool was tested with students of Energy Engineering Program at U niversidad de Medellín and allowed to verify that the learning process of the subject have improved substantially.