The Optimum PV Panels Slope Angle for Standalone System: Case Study in Duhok, Iraq

Abstract

Abstract Due to the high operation and maintenance charges of the photovoltaic (PV) tracking systems, it is better to install the PV panels at a stationary angle which is considered as an optimum slope angle. Usually the optimum annually slop angle equals to latitude. However, Duhok site (latitude 36°50’40.6” N, longitude 43°01’05.3” E) has a special case because it’s located in valley between two mountains where the eastern sides of these mountains block the sunlight at the early morning. This paper aims at finding the optimum annually slop angle that makes the solar panels in this site generate the highest possible amount of electrical energy by capturing largest amount of solar radiation at this period when the sun appears from behind the mountain. HOMER software is used to simulate the suggested standalone PV system at the study site. The optimization outcomes present that the optimum annually slope angle for the PV panels should be equal to 25 °.