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Optical performance of vertical single-axis tracked solar panels

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  • Li, Zhimin
  • Liu, Xinyue
  • Tang, Runsheng

Abstract

To investigate the optical performance of the vertical single-axis (v-axis, in short) tracked solar panels as compared with fixed and full 2-axis tracked solar panels, a mathematical procedure to estimate the annual collectible radiation on fixed and tracked panels is suggested based on the monthly horizontal radiation. Calculation results showed that the yearly optimal tilt-angle of a v-axis tracked solar panel for maximizing the annual energy collection was almost linearly proportional to the site latitude, and the corresponding maximum annual collectible radiation on such tracked panel was about 96% of solar radiation annually collected by a dual-axis tracked panel. Compared with a traditional fixed south-facing solar panel inclined at the optimal tilt-angle, the annual collectible radiation due to the use of the v-axis sun-tracking was increased by 28% in the areas with abundant solar resources and increased by16% in the areas with poor solar resources. An empirical correlation for a quick estimation of yearly optimal tilt-angles of v-axis tracked solar panels was also proposed based on climatic data of 31 sites in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Zhimin & Liu, Xinyue & Tang, Runsheng, 2011. "Optical performance of vertical single-axis tracked solar panels," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 64-68.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:36:y:2011:i:1:p:64-68
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2010.05.020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Chang, Tian Pau, 2009. "The gain of single-axis tracked panel according to extraterrestrial radiation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(7-8), pages 1074-1079, July.
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    4. Hussein A. Kazem, 2023. "Prediction of grid-connected photovoltaic performance using artificial neural networks and experimental dataset considering environmental variation," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 2857-2884, March.
    5. Nurzhigit Kuttybay & Ahmet Saymbetov & Saad Mekhilef & Madiyar Nurgaliyev & Didar Tukymbekov & Gulbakhar Dosymbetova & Aibolat Meiirkhanov & Yeldos Svanbayev, 2020. "Optimized Single-Axis Schedule Solar Tracker in Different Weather Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-18, October.
    6. Bahrami, Arian & Okoye, Chiemeka Onyeka & Atikol, Ugur, 2016. "The effect of latitude on the performance of different solar trackers in Europe and Africa," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 896-906.
    7. Tang, Runsheng & Wang, Jinfu, 2013. "A note on multiple reflections of radiation within CPCs and its effect on calculations of energy collection," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 490-496.
    8. Shabani, Masoume & Mahmoudimehr, Javad, 2018. "Techno-economic role of PV tracking technology in a hybrid PV-hydroelectric standalone power system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 84-108.
    9. Zhang, Heng & Chen, Haiping & Han, Yuchen & Liu, Haowen & Li, Mingjie, 2017. "Experimental and simulation studies on a novel compound parabolic concentrator," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 784-794.
    10. Cătălin Alexandru, 2021. "Optimization of the Bi-Axial Tracking System for a Photovoltaic Platform," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-30, January.
    11. Hafez, A.Z. & Yousef, A.M. & Harag, N.M., 2018. "Solar tracking systems: Technologies and trackers drive types – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 754-782.
    12. Nsengiyumva, Walter & Chen, Shi Guo & Hu, Lihua & Chen, Xueyong, 2018. "Recent advancements and challenges in Solar Tracking Systems (STS): A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 250-279.
    13. Huang, Lin & Song, Zihao & Dong, Qichang & Song, Ye & Zhao, Xiaoqing & Qi, Jiacheng & Shi, Long, 2024. "Surface temperature and power generation efficiency of PV arrays with various row spacings: A full-scale outdoor experimental study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 367(C).
    14. Zhong, Hao & Li, Guihua & Tang, Runsheng & Dong, Wenli, 2011. "Optical performance of inclined south–north axis three-positions tracked solar panels," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 1171-1179.
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    17. Pavlovic, Tomislav M. & Milosavljevic, Dragana D. & Mirjanic, Dragoljub & Pantic, Lana S. & Radonjic, Ivana S. & Pirsl, Danica, 2013. "Assessments and perspectives of PV solar power engineering in the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina)," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 18(C), pages 119-133.
    18. Tang, Feng & Li, Guihua & Tang, Runsheng, 2016. "Design and optical performance of CPC based compound plane concentrators," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 140-151.
    19. Vaziri Rad, Mohammad Amin & Toopshekan, Ashkan & Rahdan, Parisa & Kasaeian, Alibakhsh & Mahian, Omid, 2020. "A comprehensive study of techno-economic and environmental features of different solar tracking systems for residential photovoltaic installations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    20. Kuo, Kun-Chang & Liao, Min-Sheng & Wang, Jen-Cheng & Lee, Yeun-Chung & Huang, Chen-Kang & Chou, Cheng-Ying & Liu, Cheng-Yue & Hsu, Hsuan-Hshiang & Chen, Po-Han & Jiang, Joe-Air, 2018. "Comprehensive assessment of the long-term energy harvest capabilities for PV systems with different tilt angles: Case study in Taiwan," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 74-89.
    21. Yilmaz, Saban & Riza Ozcalik, Hasan & Dogmus, Osman & Dincer, Furkan & Akgol, Oguzhan & Karaaslan, Muharrem, 2015. "Design of two axes sun tracking controller with analytically solar radiation calculations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 997-1005.
    22. Zhu, Yongqiang & Liu, Jiahao & Yang, Xiaohua, 2020. "Design and performance analysis of a solar tracking system with a novel single-axis tracking structure to maximize energy collection," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    23. Pavlović, Tomislav & Milosavljević, Dragana & Radonjić, Ivana & Pantić, Lana & Radivojević, Aleksandar & Pavlović, Mila, 2013. "Possibility of electricity generation using PV solar plants in Serbia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 201-218.
    24. Koussa, M. & Cheknane, A. & Hadji, S. & Haddadi, M. & Noureddine, S., 2011. "Measured and modelled improvement in solar energy yield from flat plate photovoltaic systems utilizing different tracking systems and under a range of environmental conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(5), pages 1756-1771, May.
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