DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/ijred.7.2.123-130

Determining the Optimum Tilt Angles to Maximize the Incident Solar Radiation - Case of Study Pristina

Department of Thermoenergetics and Renewable Energy, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Pristina, Str. Sunny Hill n.n. 10000 Kosovo, Albania

Published: 10 Jul 2018.
Editor(s): H Hadiyanto

Citation Format:
Abstract

Solar energy is derived from photons of light coming from the sun in a form called radiation. Solar energy finds extensive application in air and water heating, solar cooking, as well as electrical power generation, depending on the way of capturing, converting and distribution. To enable such application, it is necessary to analyze the horizontal tilt angle of horizontal surfaces – in order that when the solar energy reaches the earth surface to be completely absorbed. This paper tends to describe the availability of solar radiation for south-facing flat surfaces. The optimal monthly, seasonal, and annual tilt angles have been estimated for Pristina. The solar radiation received by the incident plane is estimated based on isotropic sky analysis models, namely Liu and Jordan model. The annual optimum tilt angle for Pristina was found to be 34.7°. The determination of annual solar energy gains is done by applying the optimal monthly, seasonal and annual tilt angles for an inclined surface compared to a horizontal surface. Monthly, seasonal and annual percentages of solar energy gains have been estimated to be 21.35%, 19.98%, and 14.43%. Losses of solar energy were estimated by 1.13 % when a surface was fixed at a seasonal optimum tilt angle, and when it was fixed at an annual optimum tilt angle, those losses were 5.7%.

Article History: Received February 15th 2018; Received in revised form May 12th 2018; Accepted June 2nd 2018; Available online

How to Cite This Article: Berisha, Xh., Zeqiri, A. and Meha, D.  (2018) Determining the Optimum Tilt Angles to Maximize the Incident Solar Radiation - Case of Study Pristina. Int. Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 7(2), 123-130.

https://doi.org/10.14710/ijred.7.2.123-130

Fulltext View|Download
Keywords: solar energy; gains; estimation; tilt angle; South-facing.

Article Metrics:

Article Info
Section: Original Research Article
Language : EN
Recent articles
Investigation on Gaseous and Particle Mass Emissions from Automatically Fired Small Scale Heating System under Laboratory Conditions A Review on Solar PV Based Grid Connected Microinverter Control Schemes and Topologies Numerical Performance Analyses of Different Airfoils for Use in Wind Turbines More recent articles
Most cited articles
Evaluation and Modification of Processes for Bioethanol Separation and Production Performance evaluation of common rail direct injection (CRDI) engine fuelled with Uppage Oil Methyl Ester (UOME) Analysing the Possibility of Extracting Energy from Ocean Waves in Cabo-Verde to Produce Clean Electricity - Case-Study: the Leeward Islands Evaluation of Physico-Mechanical-Combustion Characteristics of Fuel Briquettes made from blends of Areca Nut Husk, Simarouba Seed Shell and Black Liquor Corrosion of the metal parts of diesel engines in biodiesel-based fuels More cited articles
  1. Ahmad, A., Okoye, C.O., Atikol, U. (2016) The effect of latitude on the performance of different solar trackers in Europe and Africa. Applied Energy, 177, 896-906
  2. Ahmad, M.J, Tiwari, G.N. (2009) Optimization of tilt angle for solar collectors to receive maximum radiation. The Open Renewable Energy Journal, 2, 19-24
  3. Alatarawneh, I.S., Rawadieh, S.I., Tarawneh, M.S., Alrowwad, S.M., Rimawi, F. (2016) Optimal tilt angle trajectory for maximizing solar energy potential in Ma’anareain in Jordan. Journal of Renewable Sustainable Energy, 8
  4. Alboteanu, I., Bulucea, C., Degeratu, S. (2015) Estimating Solar Irradiation Absorbed by Photovoltaic Panels with Low Concentration Located in Craiova, Romania. Sustainability, 7(3), 2644-2661
  5. Badescu, V. (2002) A new kind of cloudy sky model to compute instantaneous values of diffuse and global solar irradiance. Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 72(1-2), 127-136
  6. Bakirci , K. (2012) General models for optimum tilt angles of solar panels: Turkey case study. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(8), 6149-6159
  7. Benghanem, M. (2011) Optimization of tilt angle for solar panel: Case study for Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Applied Energy, 88(4), 1427-1433
  8. Calabr, E. (2013) An algorithm to determine the optimum tilt angle of a solar panel from global horizontal solar radiation. Journal of Renewable Energy, 12
  9. Cooper, P.I. (1969) The absorption of radiation in solar stills. Sol. Energy, 12(3), 333-346
  10. Duffie, J., Beckman, W. (2006) Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes, Part I, Fundamentals 1, 4th edn. John Wiley, New York
  11. Eke, A.B. (2011) Prediction of optimum angle of inclination for flat plate solar collectors in Zaria, Nigeria. Agricultural Engineering International: CIGR Journal, 13(4)
  12. Eldin, S.A.S., Abd-Elhady, M.S., Kandil, H.A. (2016) Feasibility of solar tracking systems for PV panels in hot and cold regions. Renewable Energy, 85, 228-233
  13. Elminir, H.K., Ghitas, A.E., El-Hussainy, F., Hamid, R., Beheary, M.M., Abdel-Moneim, K.M. (2006) Optimum solar flat-plate collector slope: Case study for Helwan, Egypt. Energy Conversion Management, 47(5), 624-637
  14. Ertekin , C., Evrendilek, F., Kulcu, R. (2008) Modeling Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Optimum Tilt Angles for Solar Collectors in Turkey. Sensors, 8, 2913
  15. Handoyo, E.A., Ichsani, D., Prabowo. (2013) The Optimal Tilt Angle of a Solar Collector. Energy Procedia, 32, 166-175
  16. Hartner, M., Ortner, A., Hiesl, A., Haas, R. (2015) East to west - The optimal tilt angle and orientation of photovoltaic panels from an electricity system perspective. Applied Energy, 160, 94-107
  17. Hay, J.E. (1979) Calculation of monthly mean solar radiation for horizontal and inclined surfaces. Solar Energy, 23(4), 301-307
  18. Jafari, S., Javaran, E. J. (2012) An Optimum Slope Angle for Solar Collector Systems in Kerman Using a New Model for Diffuse Solar Radiation. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 34(9), 799-809
  19. Jafarkazemi, F., Saadabadi, S.A. (2013) Optimum tilt angle and orientation of solar surfaces in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Renewable Energy, 56, 44-49
  20. Jafarkazemi, F., Saadabadi, S.A., Pasdarshahri, H. (2012) The optimum tilt angle for flat plate solar collectors in Iran. Journal of Renewable Sustainable Energy, 4, 215-223
  21. Jakhrani, A.Q., Samo, S.R., Rigit, A.R.H., Kamboh, S.A. (2013) Selection of models for calculation of incident solar radiation on tilted surface. World Applied Sciences Journal, 22(9), 1334-1343
  22. Khahro, S.F., Tabbassum, K., Talpur, S., Alvi, M.B., Liao, X., Dong, L. (2015) Evaluation of solar energy resources by establishing empirical models for diffuse solar radiation on tilted surface and analysis for optimum tilt angle for a prospective location in southern region of Sindh, Pakistan. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, 64, 1073-1080
  23. Klein, S.A. (1977) Calculation of monthly average insolation on tilted surfaces. Solar Energy, 19(4), 325-329
  24. Klucher, T.M. (1979) Evaluation of models to predict insolation on tilted surfaces. Solar Energy, 23(2), 111-114
  25. Kondratev, I.K.A. (1969) Diffuse Radiation of the Atmosphere. International Geophysics, 12, 363-410
  26. Koronakis, P.S. (1986) On the choice of the angle of tilt for south facing solar collectors in the Athens basin area. Solar Energy, 36(3), 217-225
  27. Krishna, S.M., Madhu, M.N., Mohan, V., Suresh, M.P.R., Singh, J.G. (2015) A generalized approach for enhaced solar energy harvesting using stochastic estimation of optimum tilt angles: a case study of Bangkok City. Green, 5, 1-6
  28. Li, D.H.W., Lam, T.N.T. (2007) Determining the optimum tilt angle and orientation for solar energy collection based on measured solar radiance data. International Journal of Photoenergy, ID 85402, 9,
  29. Liu, B., Jordan, R. (1962) Daily insolation on surfaces tilted towards the equator. ASHREA, 67, 526-541. http://www.worldcat.org/title/daily-insolation-on-surfaces-tilted-towards-equator/
  30. Liu, B.Y.H., Jordan, R.C. (1960) The interrelationship and characteristic distribution of direct, diffuse and total solar radiation. Solar Energy, 4 (3), 1-19
  31. Mehleri, E.D., Zervas, P.L., Sarimveis, H., Palyvos, J.A., Markatos, N.C. (2010) Determination of the optimal tilt angle and orientation for solar photovoltaic arrays. Renewable Energy, 35(11), 2468-2475
  32. Moghadam, H., Tabrizi, F.F., Sharak, A.Z. (2011) Optimization of solar flat collector inclination. Desalination, 265(1-3), 107-111
  33. Muneer, T. (2004) Solar Radiation and Day Light Models, 2nd edn. Elsevier, Oxford
  34. Naumann, E., Pireci, M. (2012) Identification of potential or application of solar energy technology in the municipality of Dragash. http://www.ks.undp.org/content/dam/kosovo/docs/dragash/…/02042012-Eng.pdf?doenload
  35. Okoye, C.O., Taylan, O., Baker, D.K. (2016) Solar energy potentials in strategically located cities in Nigeria: Review, resource assessment and PV system design. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 55, 550-566
  36. Paul W. S. Jr, William S. C., Taiping Z. (2016) Surface meteorology and Solar Energy (SSE), https://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/sse/documents/SSE6Methodology.pdf Accessed on 11 January 2017
  37. Reindl, D.T., Beckman, W.A., Duffie, J.A. (1990) Evaluation of hourly tilted surface radiation models. Solar Energy, 45(1), 9-17
  38. Robinson, D., Stone, A. (2004) Solar radiation modeling in the urban context. Solar Energy, 77(3), 295-309
  39. Shariah, A., Al-Akhras, M.-A., Al-Omari, I.A. (2002) Optimizing the tilt angle of solar collectors. Renewable Energy, 26(4), 587-598
  40. Sinha, S., Chandel, S.S. (2016) Analysis of fixed tilt and sun tracking photovoltaic-micro wind based hybrid power systems. Energy Conversion Management, 115, 265-275
  41. Siraki, A.G., Pillay, P. (2012) Study of optimum tilt angles for solar panels in different latitudes for urban applications. Solar Energy, 86(6), 1920-1928
  42. Skartveit, A., Olseth, A.J. (1986) Modelling slope irradiance at high latitudes. Solar Energy, 36(4), 333-344
  43. Skeiker, K. (2009) Optimum tilt angle and orientation for solar collectors in Syria. Energy Conversion and Management, 50(9), 2439-2448
  44. Soulayman, S and Sabbagh, W (2015) Optimum Tilt Angle at Tropical Region. Int. Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 4(1), 48-54
  45. Stanciu, D., Stanciu, C., Paraschiv, I. (2016) Mathematical links between optimum solar collector tilts in isotropic sky for intercepting maximum solar irradiance. Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 137, 58-65
  46. Steven, M.D., Unsworth, M.H. (1980) The angular distribution and interception of diffuse solar radiation below overcast skies. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 106, 57-61
  47. Tamimi, A., Sowayan, A. (2012) Optimum Tilt Angles of Flat-plate Solar Collectors at Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 34(13), 1213-1221
  48. Tang, R., Wu, T. (2004) Optimal tilt-angles for solar collectors used in China. Applied Energy, 79(3), 239-248
  49. Tian, Y.Q., Davies-Colley, R.J., Gong, P., Thorold, B.W. (2001) Estimating solar radiation on slopes of arbitrary aspect. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 109(1), 67-74
  50. Vieira, R.G., Guerra, F.K.O.M.V., Vale, M.R.B.G., Araújo, M.M. (2016) Comparative performance analysis between static solar panels and single-axis tracking system on a hot climate region near to the equator. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 64, 672-681
  51. World Bank Group (2017) Solargis & Energy Sector Management Assistance Program. Poster Maps for Kosovo, http://globalsolaratlas.info/downloads/kosovo Accessed on 21 February 2017
  52. Widén, J. (2009) Distributed photovoltaic in the Swedish energy system. Licentiate thesis, Uppsala University Sweden
  53. Yakup, M.A. bin H.M., Malik, A.Q. (2001) Optimum tilt angle and orientation for solar collector in Brunei Darussalam. Renewable Energy, 24(2), 223-234

Last update:

  1. Improving the performance of photovoltaic cells by using V-trough with steel reflectors and V-trough with aluminum foil reflectors

    Mostafa K. Yousif, Muna S. Kassim. CONFERENCE ON MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING: CMSAE-2021, 2797 , 2023. doi: 10.1063/5.0148205

  2. Study the performance of V-Trough PV solar system with two axis tracking

    Naseer K. Kasim, Ahmed F. Atwan, Fadhil Mahmood Oleiwi, Jaber Sh. Hameed. THE 7TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON APPLIED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (ICAST 2019), 2144 , 2019. doi: 10.1063/1.5123078

  3. Increasing the integration of variable renewable energy in coal-based energy system using power to heat technologies: The case of Kosovo

    Drilon Meha, Antun Pfeifer, Neven Duić, Henrik Lund. Energy, 212 , 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.118762

  4. Techno-economic analysis of fixed versus sun-tracking solar panels

    Akram Elahi Gol, Milan Ščasný. International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 12 (3), 2023. doi: 10.14710/ijred.2023.50165

  5. Estimation of the solar radiation intensity on photovoltaic surfaces using anisotropic Models, investigation of influence of tilt angles and solar trackers: A case study for the southeastern of Türkiye

    Batur Alp Akgul, Mustafa Sadettin Ozyazici, Muhammet Fatih Hasoglu. Computers and Electrical Engineering, 118 , 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.compeleceng.2024.109411

Last update: 2024-11-21 02:11:33

  1. Increasing the integration of variable renewable energy in coal-based energy system using power to heat technologies: The case of Kosovo

    Drilon Meha, Antun Pfeifer, Neven Duić, Henrik Lund. Energy, 212 , 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.118762

  2. Potential assessment of solar energy for electricity development in Vietnam: Prospects, scenarios and proposals

    Dong V.H.. Journal of Mechanical Engineering Research and Developments, 43 (3), 2020.