Optimization of seasonal tilt adjustment photovoltaic system in Karbala, Iraq, by using the albedo benefit

Abstract

This study aims to identify a cost-effective method for enhancing incident irradiation on the collector plane. Two different orientations for photovoltaic (PV) systems have been considered. The PV system is installed with albedo (0.25) on a concrete surface. The system is an off-grid with 690 Wp power, used for office applications with a yearly energy (1,068) Khp/yr, located at Karbala Governorate/Iraq. The first orientation has an optimal seasonal tilt angle of 13o and 53o for summer and winter, respectively. In contrast, the second orientation is one-axis tracking, horizontal E-W axis, which produces more output power. To avoid the cost of using a tracking system and improve the amount of the output power of the first system, the old concrete surface of this system was treated with white Portland cement with a higher albedo value of 0.87 and then compared to the parameters (incident irradiation in the collector plane, transposition factor and the product available energy) with a second system. It was using Perez transposition model in PV system software in this study. The results showed a higher value of comparing parameters when using inexpensive materials like white Portland cement, which improved the output PV system power than the tracking system.