Solar Energy Received on Flat-Plate Collectors Fixed on 2-Axis Trackers: Effect of Ground Albedo and Clouds

Harry D. Kambezidis (), Kosmas A. Kavadias and Ashraf M. Farahat
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Harry D. Kambezidis: Atmospheric Research Team, Institute of Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, Lofos Nymphon, GR-11810 Athens, Greece
Kosmas A. Kavadias: Laboratory of Soft Energies and Environmental Protection, University of West Attica, P. Ralli & Thivon 250, GR-12244 Egaleo, Greece
Ashraf M. Farahat: Department of Physics, College of General Studies, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran SA-31261, Saudi Arabia

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-27

Abstract: This study investigates the performance of isotropic and anisotropic diffuse models to estimate the total solar energy received on flat-plate collectors fixed on dual-axis trackers. These estimations are applied at twelve sites selected in both hemispheres with different terrain and environmental conditions. The diffuse (or transposition) models used in this study are the isotropic Liu-Jordan (L&J), Koronakis (KOR), Badescu (BAD), and Tian (TIA), and the anisotropic Hay (HAY), Reindl (REI), Klucher (KLU), Skartveit and Olseth (S&O), and Steven and Unsworth (S&U). These models were chosen because of their simplicity in the calculations and minimum number of input values. The results show that a single transposition model is not efficient for all sites; therefore, the most appropriate models are selected for each site under all, clear, intermediate, and overcast conditions in skies. On the other hand, an increase in the ground albedo in the vicinity of the solar installation can increase the annual inclined solar availability on a two-axis tracker by at least 9% on average. Further, a linear dependence of the annual inclined solar energy on the variation of the ground albedo was found. Also, a linear relationship exists between the annual diffuse-fraction and cloud-modification factor values at the 12 sites.

Keywords: solar energy; dual-axis trackers; isotropic transposition models; anisotropic transposition models (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: 2024
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