Importance of Azimuth angle on AC energy output

Importance of Azimuth Angle

The solar power modules are heart of solar power plant and it needs to be at optimum location in order to generate maximum energy. Any variation in the location and orientation leads to loss of energy therefore it is important to understand exact orientation and positioning of solar module. 

The sun rises in the east and set in the west and it changes its position with respect to fixed point on the earth. The orientation of solar modules may be consideration by azimuth and tilt angle. The tilt angle is defined as the angle between solar module and the horizontal ground axis. 

Azimuth angle is defined as the alignment of the module with respect to north direction. The azimuth angle for north facing module is 0 degree whereas it will be 180 degree for south facing. The azimuth angle varies throughout the day. The solar panel with one axis tracking, the azimuth angle is the angle clockwise from the true north of the axis of the rotation. The azimuth angle does not apply to arrays with two axis tracking. The default value of azimuth angle is 0 degree for the locations in the northern hemisphere whereas it will be 180 degree for the locations in the southern hemisphere.

Direction	Azimuth Angle
North	00
North – East	450
East	900
South – East	1350
South	1800
South – West	2250
West	2700
North – West	3150
North	00

  

Solar PV module should be installed south (180 degree Azimuth angle) facing in the northern hemisphere and north facing (0 degree Azimuth angle) in the southern hemisphere. As India is in the northern hemisphere, the solar panel modules will be always installed south facing. The direction of north south can be determined by using magnetic compass. The sun transverse from east to west via south root (in the sky) in the northern hemisphere therefore the solar panels never be installed in the north direction for the northern hemisphere countries.

Similarly, the sun transverse from east to west via north root (in the sky) in the southern hemisphere therefore the solar panels never be installed in the south direction for the southern hemisphere countries.

Observations and Calculations Solar Panel Direction Voltage Current North     North – East     East     East – South     South     South – West     West     West – North     North       Case Study 1 Solar panel installed in northern hemisphere The effect of azimuth angle on output AC energy of solar panel / module can be understood by considering that 4 kW solar panel installed at Surat city of Gujarat. Location: Surat, Gujarat, India Latitude: 21.15 N Longitude: 72.85 E Solar Panel Information Solar Panel Size: 4 kW Array position: Fixed System losses: 14.08% (considered) Array tilt angle: 21. Azimuth angle: 0 to 3600 Inverter efficiency: 96% Bifacial: No Monthly irradiance loss: zero Effect of Azimuth angle on solar panel AC energy output Month Azimuth Angle 00 450 900 1350 1800 2250 2700 3150 3600 N NE E ES S SW W NW N January 278 319 412 510 567 543 450 343 278 February 330 354 423 497 542 528 457 379 330 March 479 484 531 586 626 623 578 520 479 April 540 526 539 562 586 597 587 564 540 May 607 582 569 568 581 604 620 622 607 June 520 498 480 471 477 497 518 528 520 July 408 395 386 383 388 401 411 414 408 August 406 395 395 403 416 426 428 420 406 September 395 395 416 441 460 461 441 415 395 October 380 396 453 514 553 543 489 422 380 November 280 309 383 460 506 487 415 330 280 December 248 288 377 472 527 502 413 309 248   4871 4942 5363 5867 6229 6212 5807 5266 4871   Summary of Result Solar Panel Facing AC Energy output in kWh North (00) 4871 North – East (450) 4942 East (900) 5363 South – East (1350) 5867 South (1800) 6229 South – West (2250) 6212 West (2700) 5808 North – West (3150) 5266   The solar panel / module generated optimum ac energy output when the azimuth angle is kept 180 degree. Case Study 2 Solar panel installed in southern hemisphere A solar panel of 4 kW is installed at Auckland city of New Zealand.  The Auckland city is in the southern hemisphere. Location of Auckland, New Zealand Latitude: – 36.87 N Longitude: 174.78 E Solar Panel Information Solar Panel Size: 4 kW Array position: Fixed System losses: 14.08% (considered) Array tilt angle: 36.87 Azimuth angle: 0 to 3600 Inverter efficiency: 96% Bifacial: No Monthly irradiance loss: zero Effect of Azimuth angle on solar panel AC energy output Month Azimuth Angle 00 450 900 1350 1800 2250 2700 3150 3600 N NE E ES S SW W NW N January 561 565 549 501 508 531 569 585 561 February 492 484 440 372 337 372 432 479 492 March 542 506 413 303 220 302 410 501 542 April 405 375 289 187 107 170 265 346 405 May 388 333 219 102 54 97 212 319 388 June 294 243 152 72 55 73 163 246 294 July 301 251 163 84 63 87 177 257 301 August 388 339 239 137 80 138 245 338 388 September 420 394 321 236 165 228 311 381 420 October 452 430 384 328 306 350 408 449 452 November 485 487 467 421 412 431 471 492 485 December 498 528 535 498 484 466 484 497 498   5224 4933 4171 3240 2792 3246 4149 4890 5224   Summary of Result   Solar Panel Facing AC Energy output in kWh North (00) 5524 North – East (450) 4943 East (900) 4171 South – East (1350) 3240 South (1800) 2792 South – West (2250) 3246 West (2700) 4149 North – West (3150) 4890

The solar panel / module generated optimum ac energy output when the azimuth angle is kept 0 degree.

FAQs on Azimuth

Define: Azimuth angle

Azimuth angle is defined as the alignment of the module with respect to north direction.

What is ideal azimuth angle for northern hemisphere countries and southern hemisphere countries?

The azimuth angle for northern hemisphere countries is 180 degree whereas it is kept at 0 degree for southern hemisphere countries.

State the two factors to be considered for optimum energy output while installed of solar panel / solar module.

tilt angle and azimuth angle

Azimuth Angle pdf

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