Journal
SOLAR ENERGY
Volume 169, Issue -, Pages 55-66Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2018.04.030
Keywords
Solar photovoltaics; Tracking; Optimal tilt; Solar radiation
Categories
Funding
- Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, Innovation Fund Denmark (Renewable Energy Investment Strategies project)
- NASA SMD Earth Sciences Division
- National Science Foundation [AGS-1441062]
- Div Atmospheric & Geospace Sciences
- Directorate For Geosciences [1441062] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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This study provides estimates of photovoltaic (PV) panel optimal tilt angles for all countries worldwide. It then estimates the incident solar radiation normal to either tracked or optimally tilted panels relative to horizontal panels globally. Optimal tilts are derived from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's PVWatts program. A simple 3rd-order polynomial fit of optimal tilt versus latitude is derived. The fit matches data better above 40 degrees N latitude than do previous linear fits. Optimal tilts are then used in the global 3-D GATOR-GCMOM model to estimate annual ratios of incident radiation normal to optimally tilted, 1-axis vertically tracked (swiveling vertically around a horizontal axis), 1-axis horizontally tracked (at optimal tilt and swiveling horizontally around a vertical axis), and 2-axis tracked panels relative to horizontal panels in 2050. Globally- and annually averaged, these ratios are similar to 1.19, similar to 1.22, similar to 1.35, and similar to 1.39, respectively. 1-axis horizontal tracking differs from 2-axis tracking, annually averaged, by only 1-3% at most all latitudes. 1-axis horizontal tracking provides much more output than 1-axis vertical tracking below 65 degrees N and S, whereas output is similar elsewhere. Tracking provides little benefit over optimal tilting above 75 degrees N and 60 degrees S. Tilting and tracking benefits generally increase with increasing latitude. In fact, annually averaged, more sunlight reach tilted or tracked panels from 80 to 90 degrees S than any other latitude. Tilting and tracking benefit cities of the same latitude with lesser aerosol and cloud cover. In sum, for optimal utility PV output, 1-axis horizontal tracking is recommended, except for the highest latitudes, where optimal tilting is sufficient. However, decisions about panel configuration also require knowing tracking equipment and land costs, which are not evaluated here. Installers should also calculate optimal tilt angles for their location for more accuracy. Models that ignore optimal tilting for rooftop PV and utility PV tracking may underestimate significantly country or world PV potential.
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