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17/02/2024

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

  

Azimuth angle, azimuth, azimuth meaning, solar azimuth, azimuth of the sun, sun azimuth angle, azimuth angle for solar panels, 0 azimuth, 180 azimuth, azimuth in solar panel, azimuth pv panel, azimuth true north, azimuth south, best azimuth angle for solar panels,


Azimuth angle, azimuth, azimuth meaning, solar azimuth, azimuth of the sun, sun azimuth angle, azimuth angle for solar panels, 0 azimuth, 180 azimuth, azimuth in solar panel, azimuth pv panel, azimuth true north, azimuth south, best azimuth angle for solar panels,

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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