Validating the optimum tilt angle for PV modules in the highveld of South Africa for the summer season

Energy supply is a major problem in today’s world due to increase in demand, depleting of fossil fuels and increase in global warming due to carbon emission. The need for an alternate, overall efficient and environment-friendly energy system has ascended globally. Photovoltaic (PV) systems can be used to harness solar energy that is considered to be one of the most promising alternative energy sources. However, its efficiency is affected not only by varying environmental conditions but also by the installation of its PV modules. The purpose of this paper is to empirically validate the optimum tilt for PV modules in the Highveld of South Africa. Three fixed-axis PV modules installed at optimum tilt angles of Latitude minus 10°, Latitude, and Latitude plus 10° serve as the basis of this study. These optimum tilt angles are utilised based on the recommendations by Heywood and Chinnery. A key recommendation is that PV modules should be mounted at Latitude minus 10° for the summertime period in the Highveld region of South Africa.