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Keywords: Cost of Energy; Photovoltaic; PV tilt angle; System Advisor Model; Temperature
1. INTRODUCTION
Indonesia is located near the equator, from 6° North latitude to 11° South latitude and from
95° East longitude to 141° East longitude. Therefore, its geographic location makes
Indonesia receives stable sunshine through the year with average intensity of 4.8 kWh/m2/d
(Wibisono & Setiawan, 2010). On the other hand, solar energy still not be maximized in
Indonesia with only total capacity of 8 MW for photovoltaic power plants (Indonesia
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, 2010). With such a large solar energy potential,
deep knowledge on whole photovoltaic system characteristic and performance are necessary
to optimize solar energy empowerment.
Photovoltaic (PV) is device which directly convert solar energy to electricity. There are at
least two ways can be considered to optimize whole solar panel system performance. Solar
panel can produce optimum electricity if it is installed at optimum tilt angle. Most of research
about optimum tilt angle for solar panels indicate that magnitude of optimum solar tilt angles
is influenced by solar panels latitudes location (Lin, 1989; Manes & Lanetz, 1954; Hottel,
1954; Yakup & Malik, 2015; Garg, 1982). Table 1 shows recommended optimum solar panel
tilt angel from various research (Garg, 1982; Lunde, 1980; Lof & Tybout, 1973; Chinnery,
1971).
These research mostly conducted in subtropical region. Therefore, these result are not
necessarily relevant to the tropics, nor in particular to Indonesia (Wibisono & Setiawan,
2010).
Recently, some researcher around the world show their effort to investigate proper
photovoltaic orientation and slope angle in their area. In Tabbas, Iran, a new model to predict
the diffuse component of solar radiation was proposed. The model was processed using
MATLAB to determine the yearly optimum tilt angle and the results shows that the optimum
tilt is around 320 (Khorasanizadeh et al., 2014). Similar research related to the proper tilt
angle for solar collector were also conducted in South Africa. By analyzing solar insulation
data from the Southern African Universities Radiometric Network (SAURAN), the proper
tilt angle can be investigated and roux stated that The optimum tilt angles are within 2.6⁰ of
the latitude, except for Graaff-Reinet (within 3.5⁰), Van Rhynsdorp (within 4.6⁰) and
Stellenbosch (within 6.9⁰) (Roux, 2016).
Besides the appropriate photovoltaic tilt angle, Proper solar module choosing also important
to optimize solar power plant in Indonesia. Due to its location on tropics, Indonesia has
characteristic of high temperature. On the other hand, solar panel performance are strongly
affected by temperature. Therefore, proper photovoltaic type can be determined by
considering its installation location. Figure 1 shows photovoltaic characteristic on
temperature variation (Shivananda, 2013). It can be seen that the increasing of photovoltaic
temperature can make photovoltaic open circuit voltage decrease. On the other hand, it makes
short circuit current of photovoltaic slightly increase. As a result, photovoltaic produce less
electricity in higher temperature condition (Shivananda, 2013).
The main purpose of this research is to investigate solar panel optimization using system
advisor model (SAM). Optimization focus on two main steps. Solar panel tilt angle
evaluating and the second, solar panel type choosing with photovoltaic type of silicone
monocrystalline, silicone polycrystalline, and thin film. The study results is report on
optimized photovoltaic power plant with optimum tilt angle, and the proper solar
photovoltaic for application in different cities in Indonesia.
The distance between the center of the earth and the sun is approximately 1.495 x 1011 m.
The solar radiation radiated to the earth surface through radiation process. The solar radiation
outside the earth atmosphere called Solar Constant (Gsc) with the amount of 1367 W/m 2
(Duffie et al., 1980).
The geometric relation between the earth surface and beam radiation is shown by
figure 2 (Duffie et al., 1980). The slope angle (β) is the angle between the plane of the surface
the horizontal. The deviation of the projection on a horizontal plane of the normal to the
surface from the local meridian called surface azimuth angle (𝛾), whereas the angular
displacement from south of the projection of beam radiation on the horizontal plane called
solar azimuth angle (𝛾s). The zenith angle (θz) is the angle between the vertical and the line
to the sun, that is, the angle of incidence of beam radiation on a horizontal surface. The Solar
altitude angle (αs) is the angle between the horizontal and the line to the sun, that is, the
complement of the zenith angle.
Figure 2 (a) Zenith angle, slope, surface azimuth angle, and solar azimuth angle for a tilted
surface. (b) Plan view showing solar azimuth angle.
Total solar radiation received by photovoltaic surface consist of three main parts, besides
beam radiation (HB) solar which is directly absorb by photovoltaic surface, there are also
reflected radiation (HR) and diffuse radiation (HD). Diffuse radiation is the result of solar
radiation the intermingling when it passes through the atmosphere and reflected radiation
come from earth surface which reflect solar radiation. Effect of the inclination of the solar
radiation received by the solar panels is expressed in the form of R B (Surface inclination ratio
toward Beam radiation), RD (Surface inclination ratio toward diffuse radiation), and R R
(Surface inclination ratio toward reflected radiation) (Duffie et al., 1980).
It can be seen that RB is affected by several parameters which represent photovoltaic site
characteristic and photovoltaic slope angle. Therefore, it can be concluded that the amount
of solar radiation absorb by photovoltaic depend on its installation location and tilt angle. On
the other hand, different, with RB, RD and RR do not depend on photovoltaic installation
location. The value of RD and RR are defined by (4) and (5) respectively.
1+𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽
𝑅𝐷 = (4)
2
𝜌1(1−𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽)
𝑅𝑅 = (5)
2
As the result, whole total solar radiation received by photovoltaic can be derived by (6)
(Duffie et al., 1980).
The equation 7 shows that as a device which convert the solar energy to electricity directly,
photovoltaic output is strongly affected by the amount of solar radiation receive by it, as the
total solar radiation close to HT,STC (1,000 W/m2), the photovoltaic output power will reach
close to its rated power. Furthermore, the photovoltaic dating factor and the cell temperature
also effect the power output, as the temperature increase, the power output decrease due to
the characteristic of photovoltaic cell which is represented as photovoltaic temperature
coefficient of power (Homer, 2016).
𝐻𝑇
𝑃𝑃𝑉 = 𝑃𝑅𝑃𝑉 𝐻 [1 + 𝛼𝑃 (𝑇𝐶 − 𝑇𝐶,𝑆𝑇𝐶)] (7)
𝑇,𝑆𝑇𝐶
3. METHODOLOGY
In this research, optimum tilt angle of photovoltaic in three different cities in Indonesia are
determined. The chosen cities are Jakarta (6.1745° S, 106.8227° E), Makassar (5.1477° S,
119.4327° E), and Jayapura (2.5916° S, 140.6690° E) as the representations of west of
Indonesia, middle of Indonesia, and east of Indonesia respectively. With optimum tilt angle,
photovoltaic surface can absorb much more solar radiation, and as the result, it can produce
more electricity. System Advisor Model software was used to simulate the photovoltaic
energy production in the areas. The simulation employ various data describing the solar
resource and temperature at particular location for a period of one year. Both of technical
and economical simulation of photovoltaic power plant can be conducted up to 25 years of
the project life time. In this research the simulations are limited to only the technical aspect
and only at the first year of project life time.
The optimum photovoltaic tilt angle can be obtained by varying the photovoltaic slope from
00 to 900 in steps of 10. For the first simulation, the polycrystalline photovoltaic module is
utilized. The photovoltaic specification which is used in this research presented in the table
2.
After the proper photovoltaic surface angle has been investigated, the simulations also be
conducted by verifying photovoltaic module types such as monocrystalline and thin film to
determine the best photovoltaic module by also searching the value of photovoltaic maximum
yearly electricity production. Indonesia is located in tropic region with relatively high
temperature characteristic. Hence, photovoltaic module which has the best performance in
high temperature condition is proper for Indonesia.
Photovoltaic module with the best performance then will be determined as 5 kW DC power
plant system all the cities. System Advisor Model (SAM) also will be used to simulate annual
energy of three different photovoltaic module with same capacity of 5 kWDC and optimum
tilt angle which have been determined in first step. The other types of photovoltaic module
of, monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film with power capacity of 125 W P.
Photovoltaic module with the largest annual energy will be chosen as the best photovoltaic
module for Indonesia. It means that the best photovoltaic module can adapt properly with
thermal condition of Indonesia, therefore, it can yield optimum energy. Electrical
Information of photovoltaic module of monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film.
Table 2 Electrical Information of the PV Modules
PV Module Mono-PV Poly-PV Thin film-PV
Maximum Power (PMP) 125 W 124.915 W 125.08 W
Max Power Voltage (VMP) 29.1 V 41.5 V 17.0 V
Max Power Current (IMP) 4.3 A 3.0 A 7.4 A
Open Circuit Voltage (VOC) 36.6 V 55.2 V 21.0 V
Short Circuit Current (ISC) 4.74 A 3.4 A 8.2 A
VOC Temperature Coefficient -0.369 %/oC -0.358 %/oC -0.33 %/oC
PMP Temperature Coefficient -0.5 %/oC -0.47 %/oC -0.35 %/oC
From figure 3 to figure 5, it can be seen that photovoltaic tilt angle variation on photovoltaic
Annual Energy Production in all research area have same data’s pattern. As the increasing of
tilt angle, photovoltaic annual energy also increase until it reach its peak. The curve’s peak
represent maximum energy and optimum photovoltaic tilt angle (𝛽𝑂𝑝𝑡 ). Jakarta and Makassar
have maximum photovoltaic annual energy of 6,281 kWh and 6,437 kWh respectively with
𝛽𝑂𝑝𝑡 of 11o, and Jayapura has maximum photovoltaic annual energy of 6,577 kWh with 𝛽𝑂𝑝𝑡
of 6o.
The simulations show that the optimum tilt angle is relatively close to the latitude coordinate
of the research areas, both Makassar and Jakarta have similar optimum slope angle. It is
because Makassar and Jakarta have the latitude coordinate which are slightly similar. On the
other hand, Jayapura has the lower optimum tilt angle compared to the other research areas
because of its latitude angle is also lower than Makassar and Jayapura.
The longitude coordinate do not truly affect the optimum tilt angle according to our
simulation, the tilt angle of Makassar and Jakarta is same even thought their longitude
coordinate is different. Furthermore, Soulayman, Hammoud, Darhmaoui and Lahjoui have
stated the optimum tilt angle as the functions of latitude coordinate. Soulayman and
Hammoud suggested that yearly 𝛽𝑂𝑝𝑡 = 0.916∅ +1.1710 (Soulayman & Hammoud, 2016) ,
whereas Darhmaoui and Lahhjoouji suggested that yearly 𝛽𝑂𝑝𝑡 = 1.25351∅ − 0.00728944∅2
(Darhmaoui & Lahhjoouji, 2013). Both the results reported that the latitude coordinate is
strongly affected the optimum tilt angle and the optimum tilt angle is relatively close to the
latitude coordinate.
7000
6000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
0 20 40 60 80
PV Tilt Angle (o)
Figure 3 photovoltaic tilt angle variation Vs. photovoltaic annual energy production in
Jakarta
7000
PV Annual Energy Production (kWh)
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
0 20 40 60 80
PV Tilt Angle (o)
Figure 4 photovoltaic tilt angle variation Vs. photovoltaic annual energy production in
Jayapura
Other optimum photovoltaic tilt angle recommendations in table I are also used for the
research area. With latitude data of the study areas, optimum photovoltaic tilt angle and
annual photovoltaic energy production based on recommendation in table 1 can also be
obtained through SAM simulation and shown by table 3.
According to table 3, there are some energy losses if the recommendations are used. For
example in Jakarta, with photovoltaic tilt angle of 11o, 5 kWDC photovoltaic power plant
produce more electricity of 0.19 % and 0.9 % compared to Garg (1982) and Chinnery (1971)
recommendations respectively. Similar result also occur for Makassar and Jayapura.
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
0 20 40 60 80
photovoltaic Tilt Angle (o)
Figure 5 photovoltaic tilt angle variation Vs. photovoltaic annual energy production in
Makassar
Therefore, based on the previous research and ours, it can be concluded that the photovoltaic
should be installed in the relatively low slope angle (𝛽) to produce the optimum annual
energy because Indonesia is located in low latitude area.
In all different photovoltaic module, Jayapura has the largest photovoltaic annual energy
production because Jayapura has the solar radiation potential among Jakarta and Makassar.
It is also noticeable that thin film is the best photovoltaic module with the best annual energy
production in all cities with annual energy production of 6,836 kWh, 7,232 kWh, and 7,004
kWh for Jakarta, Jayapura, and Makassar cities respectively. Due to its power temperature
coefficient, Thin film photovoltaic module has the best performance in simulation compared
to crystalline photovoltaic module Thin film photovoltaic module has the smallest power
temperature coefficient with value of -0.35 %/oC. On the other hand monocrystalline and
polycrystalline has temperature coefficient of -0.5 %/oC and -0.47 %/oC respectively.
Therefore thin film photovoltaic module can operate close to its STC even though
photovoltaic cell’s temperature in Indonesia is significantly different with STC temperature.
Furthermore, with smaller power temperature coefficient, thin film photovoltaic module
produce more energy than monocrystalline photovoltaic module in all cities.
5. CONCLUSION
The result of this research can be used as reference to optimized photovoltaic power plant in
Indonesia. According to simulation results, Jakarta, Makassar, and Jayapura has optimum
photovoltaic tilt angle of 11o,11o, and 6o respectively and we recommend the tilt angle to be
implemented at the research area. In general it can be concluded that Indonesia has relatively
low photovoltaic tilt angle to produce optimum annual energy. The simulation results also
show that thin film photovoltaic module has the best performance in simulation compared
to crystalline photovoltaic module. It is due to thin film photovoltaic temperature coefficient
which is relatively small compared to others photovoltaic module. Therefore thin film
photovoltaic module can operate close to its STC even though photovoltaic cell’s
temperature in Indonesia is significantly different with STC temperature. Furthermore, thin
film is the best photovoltaic module for power plant application in Indonesia.
6. NOMENCLATURE
HB : Beam Radiation (W/m2)
HD : Diffuse Radiation (W/m2)
HR : Reflected Radiation (W/m2)
RB : Surface inclination ratio toward beam radiation
RD : Surface inclination ratio toward diffuse radiation
RR : Surface inclination ratio toward reflected radiation
∅ : Latitude (o)
θz :The zenith angle (θz)
αs :The Solar altitude angle (αs)
𝛽 : Photovoltaic slope angle (o)
𝛽𝑂𝑝𝑡 : Photovoltaic optimum slope angle (o)
𝛿 : Declanation angle (o)
𝜌 : Albedo of ground coefficient
′
𝜔𝑠 : Hour angle of sunset (rad)
𝑃𝑃𝑉 : Rated capacity of the photovoltaic array (W)
𝑓𝑃𝑉 : Photovoltaic derating factor (%)
𝐻𝑇 : Solar radiation on the photovoltaic array in the current time step (W/m2)
𝐻𝑇,𝑆𝑇𝐶 : Solar radiation on the photovoltaic array in STC (1000 W/m2)
𝛼𝑃 : Temperature coefficient of power (%/°C)
𝑇𝐶,𝑆𝑇𝐶 : Photovoltaic cell temperature in the standart test condition (°C)
𝑇𝐶 : Photovoltaic cell temperature in the current time step (°C)
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