Optimization of the Tilt Angle of Residential Photovoltaic Panels Considering Dust Accumulation
Abstract
The performance of photovoltaic systems can be significantly affected by the accumulation of soiling on the surface of solar panels, especially in regions with low rainfall. Despite the extensive literature on determining the effect of soiling in solar generation, both experimental and theoretical studies are unable to generalize their findings to different regions. Considering that dust accumulation is reduced with larger tilt angles, and the energy production is significantly impacted by the inclination angles, usually presenting an optimal value for a given latitude, this work seeks to determine the optimal tilt angle of residential solar panels considering the effect of soiling accumulated without cleaning procedures during the analyzed period. A theoretical model is used in which the amount of dust deposited is a function of the tilt angle, exposure time and airborne particles (PM 10 ), directly affecting the energy generation. The energy generated is then calculated for different angles, exposure periods and particulate density, aiming to identify the angle that maximizes energy production for different latitudes. It was found that for low PM10 values, as is the case for most cities in Brazil, the optimal angle for yearly generation is close to the angle of a clean panel, being approximately the local latitude, with the greatest difference in optimal angle being only 7° for a whole year without cleaning or raining.
Keywords
Photovoltaic panels, dust, soiling, energy generation, losses