Selecting Surface Inclination for Maximum Solar Power

Ioannis-Panagiotis Raptis, Anna Moustaka, Panagiotis Kosmopoulos and Stelios Kazadzis
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Ioannis-Panagiotis Raptis: Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, 15236 Athens, Greece
Anna Moustaka: Institute for Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications and Remote Sensing, National Observatory of Athens, 15236 Athens, Greece
Panagiotis Kosmopoulos: Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, 15236 Athens, Greece
Stelios Kazadzis: Physicalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos—World Radiation Center, 7260 Davos, Switzerland

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-16

Abstract: Maximum efficiency of surfaces that exploit solar energy, including Photovoltaic Panels and Thermal collectors, is achieved by installing them in a certain inclination (tilt). Most common approach is to select an inclination angle equal to the location’s latitude. This is based on the astronomical calculations of the sun’s position throughout the year but ignores meteorological factors. Cloud coverage and aerosols tend to change the direct irradiance but also the radiance sky distribution, thus horizontal surfaces receive larger amounts than tilted ones in specific atmospheric conditions (e.g., cases of cloud presence). In the present study we used 15 years of data, from 25 cities in Europe and North Africa in order to estimate the optimal tilt angle and the related energy benefits based in real atmospheric conditions. Data were retrieved from Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service (CAMS). Four diffuse irradiance, various models are compared, and their differences are evaluated. Equations, extracted from solar irradiance and cloud properties regressions, are suggested to estimate the optimal tilt angle in regions, where no climatological data are available. In addition, the impact of cloud coverage is parameterized using the Cloud Modification Factor ( CMF ) and an equation is proposed to estimate the optimal tilt angle. A realistic representation of the photovoltaic energy production and a subsequent financial analysis were additionally performed. The results are able to support the prognosis of energy outcome and should be part of energy planning and the decision making for optimum solar power exploitation into the international clean energy transitions. Finally, results are compared to a global study and differences on the optimal tilt angle at cities of Northern Europe is presented.

Keywords: solar energy; tilt angle; Europe; North Africa; clouds; aerosols; inclination (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: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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