Optimum Tilt Angles?

[[email protected]]

Hello everyone,

New to the forum so apologies if this topic is covered in another thread but couldn't find it myself.

Within my postgraduate study at Strathclyde University, I am currently conducting computer simulations on building integrated PV systems using the ESP-r software. For a simple office structure with PV integrated facade, I investigated the ideal tilt angle for PV generation during winter and summer simulations for two different climates. I am struggling to justify the results: 

For Cambridge, UK - optimal tilt angle (from horizontal):   Winter = 43.3[SIZE=12pt]°  [/SIZE]Summer = 16.6[SIZE=12pt]°[/SIZE]

For Miami, Florida - optimal tilt angle (From horizontal):    Winter = 43.3[SIZE=12pt]°[/SIZE]  Summer = 0[SIZE=12pt]°[/SIZE]

I have done a fair bit of research on optimal PV tilts with regards to the tilt of the Earth's axis, solar position, the time of year etc. I thought everything had clicked into place but these results have confused me. The main question was why is optimal tilt angle the same in locations separated in latitude by more than 30 re. Surely there must be some variation in the angle of incident solar rays?

I would really appreciate if anyone could help me out on this.

Thank you,

Calum.

 

[binky]

check out angle of sun to the horizon at winter and summer solstice at midday - this ultimately determines angle for panels, which for optimum performnace should be at 900 to sun. However many of the figures you might have seen might be compromise figures, ie not optimum for the solstice, but for performance output for the months of winter / summer.

 

[[email protected]]

check out angle of sun to the horizon at winter and summer solstice at midday - this ultimately determines angle for panels, which for optimum performnace should be at 900 to sun. However many of the figures you might have seen might be compromise figures, ie not optimum for the solstice, but for performance output for the months of winter / summer.

Thanks for your advice binky

 

[Andy™]

wow... took your time replying to that... maybe a forum record?!

 

[[email protected]]

wow... took your time replying to that... maybe a forum record?!

Just took its time to sink in