A Theoretical Optimum Tilt Angle Model for Solar Collectors from Keplerian Orbit

Tong Liu, Li Liu, Yufang He, Mengfei Sun, Jian Liu and Guochang Xu
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Tong Liu: Laboratory of Navigation and Remote Sensing, Institute of Space Science and Applied Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology at Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
Li Liu: Laboratory of Navigation and Remote Sensing, Institute of Space Science and Applied Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology at Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
Yufang He: Laboratory of Navigation and Remote Sensing, Institute of Space Science and Applied Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology at Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
Mengfei Sun: Laboratory of Navigation and Remote Sensing, Institute of Space Science and Applied Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology at Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
Jian Liu: Laboratory of Navigation and Remote Sensing, Institute of Space Science and Applied Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology at Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
Guochang Xu: Laboratory of Navigation and Remote Sensing, Institute of Space Science and Applied Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology at Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 15, 1-17

Abstract: Solar energy has been extensively used in industry and everyday life. A more suitable solar collector orientation can increase its utilization. Many studies have explored the best orientation of the solar collector installation from the perspective of data analysis and local-area cases. Investigating the optimal tilt angle of a collector from the perspective of data analysis, or guiding the angle of solar collector installation, requires an a priori theoretical tilt angle as a support. However, none of the current theoretical studies have taken the real motion of the Sun into account. Furthermore, a complete set of theoretical optimal tilt angles for solar energy is necessary for worldwide locations. Therefore, from the view of astronomical mechanics, considering the true orbit of the Sun, a mathematical model that is universal across the globe is proposed: the Kepler motion model is constructed from the solar orbit and transformed into the local Earth coordinate system. After that, the calculation of the optimal tilt angle solution is given. Finally, several examples are shown to demonstrate the variation of the optimal solar angle with month and latitude. The results show that for daily fixed solar collectors, the altitude angle of the collector should be about 6° above the noon solar altitude angle in summer and 6° lower in winter. For annual fixed collectors, the tilt angle should be slightly higher than the latitude. In summary, this study demonstrates that when a location is specified, this model can be used to calculate the theoretical optimum tilt angle of solar collectors for that position.

Keywords: Kepler orbit; coordinate transformation; solar collector; tilt angle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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