Estimation of Solar Radiation on a PV Panel Surface with an Optimal Tilt Angle Using Electric Charged Particles Optimization

Abstract

Solar energy is a promising renewable energy source that can fulfill the world’s current and future energy needs. The angle at which a photovoltaic (PV) panel faces the horizon determines the incidence of solar radiation. The incident solar radiation on PV panels could be optimized by adjusting their tilt angles and increasing the power output of the PV array. In this study, solar energy model-based research was conducted in the Saudi Arabian cities of Dhahran and Makkah. This study investigated the performance of a 1 kW monocrystalline silicon PV array in these cities. Analyzing the optimal tilt angle for efficiency and performance improvement of the PV panel is challenging. The optimal tilt angle is determined by combining the data of the Sun’s diffuse, direct radiation and the global horizontal Sun radiation. This research examined the four empirical models by applying the electric charged particle optimization (ECPO) algorithm to estimate the solar radiation on sloped surfaces. The model’s results were compared to the global horizontal solar radiation based on the daily mean solar radiation value in these cities. The Hay–Davies–Klucher–Reindel model presented the maximum amount of tilted surface solar radiation in the year and at different periods. In contrast, the Badescu model exhibited the weakest results of all the isotropic and anisotropic models. Finally, using the ECPO algorithm, all models indicated that tilted surfaces (IT) received more solar radiation than horizontal surfaces (Ig).