Comparative study of different orientations of photovoltaic system

Abstract

The annual performance of flat plate photovoltaic (PV) modules on fixed and tracking orientations has been studied. It has been observed that about 36% higher annual energy output can be obtain with a dual axis tracking as compared to a fixed latitude tilted PV system. A theoretical model has eeen developed to estimate tthe annual PV energy output from the array at a given location for any arbitrary orientation. The theoretically calculated results are found to be compatible with the experimental results. In order to show the "feasibility" of tracking in small stand alobe PV systems, energy cost analysis has been done for PV systems of different orientations. The annual energy cost analysis results show that the dual axis tracking PV systems are more economical than any other PV system at the present module and balance of system cost.