Harnessing the Power of the Sun: Exploring Solar Panels and Tilt Angle Optimization

 Introduction: 

In an era where sustainability and clean energy are at the forefront of global conversations, harnessing the power of the sun has become a key focus. Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic (PV) panels, are instrumental in converting sunlight into electricity. But did you know that the efficiency of these panels can be significantly enhanced by adjusting the tilt angle to maximize exposure to sunlight?

Understanding Solar Panels: 

Solar panels are devices that capture sunlight and convert it into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. This process involves the interaction of photons (light particles) with semiconductor materials, generating an electric current. The electrical energy produced by solar panels can be utilized to power homes, businesses, and even entire communities.

To visualize and understand the impact of tilt angle on solar panel performance, an interactive model facilitated by Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJSS) allows users to simulate the positioning of solar panels at various tilt angles and observe the corresponding changes in power output. This hands-on approach helps users grasp the significance of tilt angle optimization in harnessing solar energy efficiently.

Link to Joomla

Link to Simulation

Within the interactive simulation, users can click the "play" button to initiate a simulated timeline that mirrors the sun's journey from east to west. This feature allows individuals to witness in real-time how the graph captures the fluctuating output power over the day. Users can actively experiment with the tilt angle during this time. By adjusting the tilt angle while the simulation is in motion, users can observe the immediate effects on power output, providing a hands-on experience that enhances understanding and appreciation for the significance of tilt angle optimization in solar panel performance. It's an educational journey that brings the complexities of solar energy conversion to life.

Link to Joomla

Link to Simulation

Benefits of Tilt Angle Optimization:

• Increased Energy Production: Proper tilt angle optimization can lead to increased exposure to sunlight, resulting in higher energy production by solar panels. 
• Seasonal Adaptability: Adjusting the tilt angle allows for seasonal adaptation, ensuring optimal energy generation throughout the year. 
• Financial Savings: Maximizing power output means more efficient use of solar energy, potentially leading to reduced electricity bills and increased cost savings.

Factors affect electrical energy such as Weather Cloudy Rainy etc

However, the impact of weather cannot be overlooked in this optimization process. Cloudy or rainy days pose a significant challenge to solar energy generation, as they reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the solar panels. This reduction in sunlight can lead to a decrease in energy output, affecting the overall efficiency of the system.

Conclusion: 

As we continue to explore sustainable energy solutions, understanding the intricacies of solar panel technology becomes paramount. The interactive model showcasing the impact of tilt angle on power output serves as an educational tool to empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions about solar panel installation. By harnessing the power of the sun and optimizing tilt angles, we take a significant step toward a cleaner, greener future.

Feedback from SUTD

We note that the learning objectives of the simulation can be broadly summarised as:

1. The intermittency of sunshine
2. The effect of variables (such as the tilt angle of the solar panel, position of the sun, weather conditions) on the output power

 

Other learning objectives of harnessing solar power but not explicitly through this simulation are:

3. The use of solar as a possible renewable energy source in Singapore
4. The lack of space for deployment in Singapore

 

We have tested the simulation and have the following comments and recommendations:

Comment	Reason for Comment	Recommendation
1. Earth is portrayed as a flat circle.	Earth is not flat. Depending on the location, the sun’s path may not necessary be directly above the location from east to west. For example, in Singapore which is 1 degree north of the equator, the sun is north of Singapore for approximately 6 months of the year and then south of Singapore for the remainder of the year. (refer to https://www.suncalc.org/#/1.2909,103.8524,11/2021.11.15/11:34/1/3)	Add a description to say the location (i.e. Singapore) and month of the year   Modify the animation to show the sun’s path as tilted. This is to indicate that the sun is not directly above the location. Example: https://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/properties-of-sunlight/motion-of-the-sun
2. Time axis starts from 0	We understand that it refers to the number of hours since sunrise but it may be misleading as 0 h refers to midnight.	Change the horizontal axis label to ‘number of hours since sunrise’. Alternatively, put time instead i.e. 7 am, 8 am, etc with the axis label ‘time of day’. Example:   Neill, Susan, Geoff Stapleton, and Christopher Martell. Solar farms: the earthscan expert guide to design and construction of utility-scale photovoltaic systems. Taylor & Francis, 2017.​
3. Cloudy and rainy conditions are inaccurate.	Currently, the graph shows lower power output when the weather condition is rainy or cloudy. Power is indeed lower when it is rainy or cloudy. Depending on how dense the cloud coverage is, the power can decrease drastically. As the cloud and possibly rain tend to be passing and not continuous, the curve should no longer be smooth. A smooth curve reflects that sunlight is continuous and not intermittent.   In addition, as the graph resets for different weather conditions, it is hard to compared between weather conditions	Curve for cloudy or rainy conditions should be noisy and of lower values. Example: (diagram obtained from SUTD data collection)   Provide the option to plot curves for different weather conditions on the same graph and axis label for easy comparison between them.
4. The vertical axis label is output power with the units of kWh/m2.	The units of kWh is energy and not power. The output power is depending on the efficiency of the solar panel. As the efficiency depends on the quality of the solar panel, the temperature and the intensity of sunlight, it is inaccurate to present the values as such.	Change the vertical axis label to incident intensity of sunlight on the solar panel in the units of kW/m2. This is a better indicator of showing the impact of changing the tilt angle of the solar panel, weather conditions and time of day on the amount of incident sunlight absorbed onto the solar panel.   The maximum solar intensity (after passing through the atmosphere) is approximately 1 kW/m2. In Singapore, the total amount of solar energy available varies from 4 to 5 kWh/m2/day (average of 22 year climate data obtained from https://power.larc.nasa.gov/data-access-viewer/).

 

1. Added a Day field to control the declinationAngle = (23.45*pi/180) * Math.sin( (2*pi/365)*(284+day) ) and made the 

//coordindate system in XZ plane (RED-BLUE)

sunRealPosX = Math.cos(sunRealAngle)

sunRealPosY =  Math.sin(declinationAngle) // correct?

sunRealPosZ = Math.sin(sunRealAngle)

we discovered an error on the website 

declinationAngle = (23.45*pi/180) * Math.sin( (360/365)*(284+day) )  // formula from website is wrong

Adding the text Singapore is acceptable provided I understand how to implement the var Latitude =1.290270     // = Φ, in degree into the current model powerCollected = Area*G*efficiency* Math.sin( sunRealAngle + faceAngle)

2. timeClock is added 6 and 18 are 6 a.m. and 6p.m.

3. "Store data" button allows different cases to to recorded for comparison. Data is also added with a Math.random() to simulate noise like moving cloud or inconsistent raining conditions

4. added y axis and modify the factor to match maximum 1 kW/m^2

credits added 

We hope that the above feedback is useful in the creation of the simulation and SLS package. If necessary, we can discuss more over an online meeting.

Work in progress

https://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/02_newtonianmechanics_7energyworkpower/ejss_model_SolarPanelTry5/