A systematic approach to find the optimum tilt angle for meeting the maximum energy demand of an isolated area

The aim of this paper is to find the optimum tilt angle of solar PV panel at which the yearly demand would be met maximum. Solar PV is one of the most widely used renewable energy resources. The output of a panel is highest when the incident ray is perpendicular to the panel plane. Due to variations in the locus of the sun over the year, the alignment of the panel should be changed according to the sun position for maximum generation. However, changing the tilt angle needs single axis tracker or double axes tracker which is costly and also needs maintenance; thus may not be suitable. Therefore, the panel is kept at the average tilt of year at which the ray is perpendicular for the maximum time. This may be termed as the default tilt angle. The generation of solar panel varies over the year providing maximum generation at the default tilt angle. Similarly, the consumption of an area is also varies over the year. The amount of generation may not proportional as the demand, thus it results surplus or shortage. For an isolated area, it is hardly possible to use surplus energy considering certain demand profile. Even, it is not possible to store the surplus energy of a season to any device for long time to use it for another season. However, the surplus energy of a season may be shifted to the shortage season by changing the tilt angle. Different tilt angle will provide different pattern of generation over the year. The generation at optimum tilt angle will not maximize the generation of energy over the year rather it will maximize the demand met by shifting the energy to shortage season from surplus season. A new concept to maximize the energy usage from solar PV by changing the tilt angle and thus minimize the shortage to meet the demand of an isolated power system is also introduced here.