DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/ijred.4.1.48-54

Optimum Tilt Angle at Tropical Region

1Higher Institute for Applied Sciences and Technology, Damascus P. O. Box 31983, Syrian Arab Republic

2National Energy Research Center, Damascus,, Syrian Arab Republic

Published: 15 Feb 2015.
Editor(s):

Citation Format:
Abstract

: One of the important parameters that affect the performance of a solar collector is its tilt angle with the horizon. This is because of the variation of tilt angle changes the amount of solar radiation reaching the collector surface. Meanwhile, is the rule of thumb, which says that solar collector Equator facing position is the best, is valid for tropical region? Thus, it is required to determine the optimum tilt as for Equator facing and for Pole oriented collectors. In addition, the question that may arise: how many times is reasonable for adjusting collector tilt angle for a definite value of surface azimuth angle? A mathematical model was used for estimating the solar radiation on a tilted surface, and to determine the optimum tilt angle and orientation (surface azimuth angle) for the solar collector at any latitude. This model was applied for determining optimum tilt angle and orientation in the tropical zones, on a daily basis, as well as for a specific period. The optimum angle was computed by searching for the values for which the radiation on the collector surface is a maximum for a particular day or a specific period. The results reveal that changing the tilt angle 12 times in a year (i.e. using the monthly optimum tilt angle) maintains approximately the total amount of solar radiation near the maximum value that is found by changing the tilt angle daily to its optimum value. This achieves a yearly gain in solar radiation of 11% to 18% more than the case of a solar collector fixed on a horizontal surface.

Fulltext View|Download
Keywords: Optimum tilt, orientation, mathematical model, tropical region

Article Metrics:

Article Info
Section: Original Research Article
Language : EN
Recent articles
Performance evaluation of common rail direct injection (CRDI) engine fuelled with Uppage Oil Methyl Ester (UOME) Performance and Feasibility Analysis of a Grid Interactive Large Scale Wind/PV Hybrid System based on Smart Grid Methodology Case Study South Part – Jordan Modelling the Kinetics of Biogas Production from Mesophilic Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Cow Dung with Plantain Peels More recent articles
Most cited articles
Thermal Decomposition and Kinetic Studies of Pyrolysis of Spirulina Platensis Residue Solmap: Project In India's Solar Resource Assessment Evaluating the materials used for hydrogen production based on photoelectrochemical technology Thermo-economic Optimization of Solar Assisted Heating and Cooling (SAHC) System Synthesis of Trimethylolpropane Esters of Calophyllum Methyl Esters : Effect of Temperature and Molar Ratio More cited articles
  1. Aja, O. C., Al-Kayiem, H. H., Abdul Karim, Z. A. (2013) Analytical investigation of collector optimum tilt angle at low latitude. AIP J. Renewable Sustainable Energy, 5, 063112; http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4829434
  2. Diaz, F., Ngo, J., Pascual, M., Planes, A., Chua, A. (2014) Enhanced energy conversion performance of Philippine photovoltaic panels through tilt angle adjustments: A mechatronics approach. Philippine Science Letters, 7(1): 7-12
  3. Duffie, J.A., Beckman, W.A. (1991) Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York
  4. Eke, A. B. (2011) Prediction of optimum angle of inclination for flat plate solar collector in Zaria, Nigeria. Agricultural Engineering International: CIGR Journal, 13, Manuscript No. 1840
  5. El-Kassaby, M.M. (1988) Monthly and daily optimum tilt angle for south facing solar collectors; theoretical model, experimental and empirical correlations. Solar and Wind Technology5(6),589–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0741-983X(88)90054-9
  6. El-Kassaby, M.M., Hassab, M.H. (1994) Investigation of a variable tilt angle Australian type solar collector. Renewable Energy 4, 327–332. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0960-1481(94)90036-1
  7. Idowu, O. S., Olarenwaju, O. M., Ifedayo Odesola, I. (2013) Determination of optimum tilt angles for solar collectors in low-latitude tropical region. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering , 4:29, 1-10
  8. Kamanga, B., Mlatho, J. S. P., Mikeka C., Kamunda, C. (2014) Optimum Tilt Angle for Photovoltaic Solar Panels in Zomba District, Malawi. Journal of Solar Energy, 2014, Article ID 132950, 9 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/132950
  9. Ng, Kh. M., Adam, N. M., Inayatullah, O., Ab Kadir, M. Z. A. (2014) Assessment of solar radiation on diversely oriented surfaces and optimum tilts for solar absorbers in Malaysian tropical latitude. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering, 5:5, 1-13
  10. Nijegorodov,N., Devan, K.R.S., Jain, P.K. (1997) Atmospheric transmittance models and an analytical method to predict the optimum slope on an absorber plate. Renewable Energy, 4, 525–530. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0960-1481(94)90215-1
  11. Oko, C.O.C., Nnamchi, S.N. (2012) Optimum Collector Tilt Angles For Low Latitudes, The Open Renewable Energy Journal, 5, 7-14
  12. Qiu, G., Riffat, S.B. (2003) Optimum tilt angle of solar collectors and its impact on performance. International Journal of Ambient Energy, 24, 13–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01430750.2003.9674898
  13. Skeiker, K. (2009) Optimum tilt angle and orientation for solar collectors in Syria. Energy Conversion and Management 50, 2439–2448. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2009.05.031
  14. Soulayman, S. (1991) On the optimum tilt of solar absorber plates. Renewable Energy, 1(3-4), 551-554. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0960-1481(91)90070-6
  15. Soulayman, S., Sabbagh, W. (2014) Comment on ‘Optimum tilt angle and orientation for solar collectors in Syria’ by Skeiker, K. Energy Conversion and Management, Available online 1 November 2014. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2014.10.023
  16. Stanciu, C., Stanciu, D. (2014) Optimum tilt angle for flat plate collectors all over the World – A declination dependence formula and comparisons of three solar radiation models. Energy Conversion and Management 81, 133–143. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2014.02.016
  17. Uba, F. A., Sarsah, E. A. (2013) Optimization of tilt angle for solar collectors in WA, Ghana. Pelagia Research Library, Advances in Applied Science Research, 4(4):108-114
  18. Waziri, N. H., Usman, A. M., Enaburekhan, Babakano,J. S. A. (2014) Determination of Optimum Tilt Angle and Orientation of a Flat Plate Solar Collector for Different Periods in Kano. Scirj, 2, 2014 Edition, ISSN: 2201-2796

Last update:

  1. Efficiency comparison between tracking and optimally fixed flat solar collectors

    Amir Aghamohammadi, M. Ebrahim Foulaadvand. Scientific Reports, 13 (1), 2023. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-39892-y

  2. Correlation formulation for optimum tilt angle for maximizing the solar radiation on solar collector in the Western Himalayan region

    Ashutosh Sharma, Mehmet Ali Kallioğlu, Anchal Awasthi, Ranchan Chauhan, Gusztáv Fekete, Tej Singh. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 26 , 2021. doi: 10.1016/j.csite.2021.101185

  3. Maximum Energy Yield of Pv Surfaces in France and Italy from Climate Based Equations for Optimum Tilt at Different Azimuth Angles

    Samuele Memme, Marco Fossa. SSRN Electronic Journal , 2022. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.4134246

  4. Estimation solar irradiation for holy Al-Najaf city under clear sky condition using MATLAB

    Nadia Anees, Abdal-Razak Shehab Hadi, Ban Mohammed. ELECTROMECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND ITS APPLICATIONS, 3002 , 2024. doi: 10.1063/5.0205908

  5. Assessment of solar energy potential for Bahir Dar city, Ethiopia

    Aschale Getnet, Tereche Getnet, Assefa Beyene, Ramesh Babu Nallamothu, Tewodros Semeneh, Hailemariam Mulugeta. Scientific Reports, 14 (1), 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-74433-1

  6. Solar collector tilt angle optimization for solar power plant setup-able sites at Western Himalaya and correlation formulation

    Anchal Awasthi, Mehmet Ali Kallioğlu, Ashutosh Sharma, Anand Mohan, Ranchan Chauhan, Tej Singh. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 147 (20), 2022. doi: 10.1007/s10973-022-11345-0

  7. Assessment the potential solar energy with the models for optimum tilt angles of maximum solar irradiance for Iraq

    Qusay Hassan, Majid K. Abbas, Ammar M. Abdulateef, Jasim Abdulateef, Abdulmajeed Mohamad. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 4 , 2021. doi: 10.1016/j.cscee.2021.100140

  8. Optimal tilt angle for solar photovoltaic modules on pitched rooftops: A case of low latitude equatorial region

    Nicholas Mukisa, Ramon Zamora. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 50 , 2022. doi: 10.1016/j.seta.2021.101821

  9. Optimum Solar Collector’s North-South Tilt Angles for Dar es Salaam and their Influence on Energy Collection

    Abdulmajid T. Khatib, Margaret E. Samiji, Nuru R. Mlyuka. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.clet.2024.100778

  10. Impacts of albedo and atmospheric conditions on the efficiency of solar energy: a case study in temperate climate of Choman, Iraq

    Ali Saleh Aziz, Mohammad Faridun Naim Tajuddin, Mohd Rafi Adzman, Makbul A. M. Ramli. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 23 (1), 2021. doi: 10.1007/s10668-019-00568-1

  11. Economical and Technical Considerations for Solar Tracking

    Advances in Environmental Engineering and Green Technologies, 2018. doi: 10.4018/978-1-5225-2950-7.ch005

  12. Optimum Solar Collector's North-South Tilt Angles for Dar es Salaam and their Influence on Energy Collection

    Abdulmajid T. Khatib, Margaret E. Samiji, Nuru R. Mlyuka. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 21 , 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.clet.2024.100778

  13. Evaluation of direct beam energy received by convex solar collectors and their optimal orientations

    M. Ebrahim Foulaadvand, Amir Aghamohammadi. Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 15 (5), 2023. doi: 10.1063/5.0161277

  14. All-World Solar Collector Optimum Slope Determination Basing on Site Latitude and Day Number

    S. Soulayman, M. Alhelou, W. Sabbagh . Journal of Solar Energy Research Updates, 3 (1), 2016. doi: 10.15377/2410-2199.2016.03.01.1

  15. Dataset of solar energy potential assessment for Adama city (Ethiopia)

    Chandraprabu Venkatachalam, Samuel G/mariam, Gedlu Solomon. Data in Brief, 24 , 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.103879

Last update: 2024-11-20 06:54:57

  1. Performance of a solar PV tracking system on tropic regions

    Garcia Y.. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 127 , 2015. doi: 10.2495/ESUS150171

  2. Estimation of the optimum tilt angle of solar collectors in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz

    Herrera-Romero J.V.. Renewable Energy, 127 , 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.02.045

  3. Optimization of Tilt Angle for Intercepting Maximum Solar Radiation for Power Generation

    Yadav A.. Studies in Systems, Decision and Control, 127 , 2020. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-34050-6_9

  4. Impacts of albedo and atmospheric conditions on the efficiency of solar energy: a case study in temperate climate of Choman, Iraq

    Ali Saleh Aziz, Mohammad Faridun Naim Tajuddin, Mohd Rafi Adzman, Makbul A. M. Ramli. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 23 (1), 2021. doi: 10.1007/s10668-019-00568-1

  5. Dataset of solar energy potential assessment for Adama city (Ethiopia)

    Chandraprabu Venkatachalam, Samuel G/mariam, Gedlu Solomon. Data in Brief, 24 , 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.103879

  6. Determining the optimum tilt angles to maximize the incident solar radiation-case of study Pristina

    Berisha X.. International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 7 (2), 2018. doi: 10.14710/ijred.7.2.123-130