Optimum Orientation of Non-Tracking Solar Applications in Baghdad City

Abstract

This study presents a solution to the selection of the optimum orientation for non-tracking solar photovoltaic panels and non-tracking solar thermal collectors with a new methodology in Baghdad city. The optimum tilt angle of solar application was determined monthly, seasonal and yearly based on the largest monthly average daily total solar radiation incident on the surface in Baghdad. The solar radiation and tilt angle were calculated theoretically with the help of MATLAB R2016b and the theoretical data of solar radiation were validated via comparison with experimental data. The optimum tilt angle results of months have been ranging as follows: from 3.77 for June to 62.88 for December, moreover the optimum tilt angle results for the seasons and year have been as follows: 60.41, 38.88, 5.26, 31.34 and 33.97 for winter, spring, summer, autumn and annual respectively, and best directing the fixed solar applications toward the south. The results were compared with previous studies and showed an increase in monthly average daily total solar radiation for all months except for April and September.