Optimization of Tilt Angle for Solar Collector to Receive Maximum Radiation

ABSTRACT

This article examines the theoretical aspects of choosing a tilt angle for the solar flat-plate collectors used at ten different stations in the world and makes recommendations on how the collected energy can be increased by varying the tilt angle. In this paper, the collector surface is assumed to be facing toward equator. For Indian stations, the calculations are based upon the measured values of monthly mean daily global and diffuse solar radiation on a horizontal surface. For other stations, the calculations are based upon the data of monthly mean daily global solar radiation and monthly average clearness index on a horizontal surface. It is shown that nearly optimal energy can be collected if the angle of tilt is varied seasonally, four times a year. Annual optimum tilt angle is found to be approximately equal to latitude of the location. It is found that the loss in the amount of collected energy is around 1 % if the angle of tilt is adjusted seasonally instead of using βopt for each month of the year. The loss of energy when using the yearly average fixed angle is around 15 % compared with the monthly optimum tilt.

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