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Determination of the Optimal Tilt Angle of Solar Collectors for Different Climates of China

Author

Listed:
  • Haixiang Zang

    (College of Energy and Electrical Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China)

  • Mian Guo

    (College of Energy and Electrical Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China)

  • Zhinong Wei

    (College of Energy and Electrical Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China)

  • Guoqiang Sun

    (College of Energy and Electrical Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China)

Abstract

The tilt angle with the horizon (with respect to the ground) of the solar energy system affects the amount of solar radiation received. This paper suggests a simple and universal method to obtain the optimum tilt angles by estimating the monthly mean daily global solar radiation on tilted surfaces facing directly towards the equator, which is based on monthly average daily global solar radiation data produced from Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) data. The monthly, seasonal, and yearly optimum tilt angles for photovoltaic panels are calculated at six stations of different climatic types (Tropical Zone (TZ), Subtropical Zone (SZ), Warm Temperate Zone (WTZ), Mid Temperate Zone (MTZ), Cold Temperate Zone (CTZ) and Tibetan Plateau Zone (TPZ)). The results indicate that changing the monthly, seasonal, and yearly optimum tilt angles causes a significant yearly gain in the solar radiation for the region. In addition, general correlations are generated to estimate the optimum tilt angle of solar collectors at six typical climatic stations of China. The performances of the proposed models are compared using statistical error tests such as the mean absolute bias error (MABE), the root mean square error (RMSE) and the correlation coefficients (R).

Suggested Citation

  • Haixiang Zang & Mian Guo & Zhinong Wei & Guoqiang Sun, 2016. "Determination of the Optimal Tilt Angle of Solar Collectors for Different Climates of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:7:p:654-:d:73723
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Shen, Xiaojun & Wei, Hongyang & Wei, Li, 2020. "Study of trackside photovoltaic power integration into the traction power system of suburban elevated urban rail transit line," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    3. Wang, Hai & Huang, Jin & Song, Mengjie & Yan, Jian, 2019. "Effects of receiver parameters on the optical performance of a fixed-focus Fresnel lens solar concentrator/cavity receiver system in solar cooker," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 70-82.
    4. Mirian Jiménez-Torres & Catalina Rus-Casas & Lenin Guillermo Lemus-Zúiga & Leocadio Hontoria, 2017. "The Importance of Accurate Solar Data for Designing Solar Photovoltaic Systems—Case Studies in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-14, February.
    5. Ali Saleh Aziz & Mohammad Faridun Naim Tajuddin & Mohd Rafi Adzman & Makbul A. M. Ramli, 2021. "Impacts of albedo and atmospheric conditions on the efficiency of solar energy: a case study in temperate climate of Choman, Iraq," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 989-1018, January.
    6. Cao Yu & Yong Sheng Khoo & Jing Chai & Shuwei Han & Jianxi Yao, 2019. "Optimal Orientation and Tilt Angle for Maximizing in-Plane Solar Irradiation for PV Applications in Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-8, April.
    7. Haixiang Zang & Miaomiao Wang & Jing Huang & Zhinong Wei & Guoqiang Sun, 2016. "A Hybrid Method for Generation of Typical Meteorological Years for Different Climates of China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-19, December.

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