Determining Optimal Tilt Angle to Maximize the PV Yield

Abstract

The integration of renewable and clean solar energy through photovoltaic (PV) technologies is increasing rapidly all over the world. Well-planned and maximum usage of sunlight elevates the efficiency of PV panels. Due to the different geographical conditions of the earth, solar radiation is not the same for all locations. Optimum tilt angle helps the solar panels tap the highest solar irradiance, consequently, provides maximum PV electricity. In this work, a method of determining optimum tilt angle is presented, which is implemented in MATLAB environment. Eight sites of Okinawa prefecture of Japan are selected to measure the optimum tilt angles, which render the highest incident global solar radiation over the year. Results show that optimum tilt angle ranges from 1 degree to 58 degrees in Okinawa. It is also observed that optimum tilt angle based PV panel orientation obtains a significant increase in solar radiation on its tilted surface.