Photovoltaic production for a fixed tilt plane, with different surface azimuth angles. Analyzing system operating conditions and time of day production

Abstract

Photovoltaicsystems for residential household may bea large part of energy production in the future. The electric grid is facing challenges,andphotovoltaicsystems can contribute in the reduction of electricgrid load by adjustingthe orientation of the photovoltaicpanels.This report investigatestheeffects orientation has on a photovoltaic system, considering;time of dayproduction, operating conditionsand geographical location. Several simulations have been done where these factors wereexanimated. The results presented in this report wereinducedby the use of asimulation toolcalled PVsyst. In this program, a photovoltaic system has been designed in order toinvestigatedifferent orientations of Photovoltaicsystems, and the consequence of moving the orientating from directly south intoeastand westorientation. The result presented in the report discoveredthat geographically,a more southern locating gives a higher year-roundproduction. However, during the summer, a northern location can have higher production on clear days. Eastand west oriented systemresults in awider production graph during the day, avoiding large production peaks. As the results of this report presents, thisdoes not make up for the lacking production compared to a south oriented system, andwith the current energy prices, the recommendedorientation is south. However, a changing energy price may lead to adisadvantageto a south oriented system, making itlessprofitablein the future,i n which case this recommendation of the system orientationshould be re-evaluated.