Impact of east-west facing orientation of solar PV modules in the generation profile
Student name: Ms Ringsmaidi Nunisa
Guide: Dr Som Mondal
Year of completion: 2018
Host Organisation: TERI School of Advanced Studies
Abstract: With the current cost of the electricity, it might be easier of us to think of sourcing our electricity from the renewables, especially the rooftop solar PV systems. However, there is one significant and unavoidable problem, which means half of the electricity is produced during the morning and evening when the solar systems are not effective. The question here arises: Is it possible or (economically feasible) to place the PV array to the east or west to preference supply to these mornings or evening loads. Therefore, this project was carried out in order to study the impacts of the East-West Facing module orientation for modulation of a generation profile. three different cities in India namely, New Delhi, Mumbai, Trivandrum were taken into consideration in order to carry out this thesis. Different tilts of 20, 30, 40 and 60 degree were simulated in the east-west orientation for each of the city to compare the generation profile with the conventional south facing module for each city. The tilt of the south facing module was taken as equal to the latitude of the city by default to get the optimum generation. A simulation software, PVsyst has been used to simulate the performance of the solar PV panels placed in different tilt and orientations. Various parameters like the Performance Ratio, Capacity utilisation Factor has been analysed with the help of PVsyst and some analytical methods to compare the efficiency of the PV systems of the East-West Facing modules with that of the South facing modules of 100 kWp for each cities. The plant size of the East-West facing modules were taken as 50 kW each.
From the PVsyst results, if we compare, South-facing module showed better energy generation profile than the east west facing module, since the sun is always giving a good radiation on it, so the tilt at latitude angle always gives optimum generation. However, East west facing panel will not give a midday peak but will give a flattened peak over several hours before and after noon. In case, if we do not require peaks at midday but require peaks fore or post noon, E-W can be a good option. East-West facing helps absorbs diffused radiation and provide a better grid load stability As the rows are packed in the east-west more tightly and in a convex manner, the frames and panels often create roof-like structures that block natural light and rainwater from reaching the ground underneath.
While east-west solar arrays may have a reduced total output, the value of the electricity they produce is inherently higher in most markets. This is a result of
the smoothing of the array’s generation curve, generating more electricity during the morning and evening hours and less during the midday peak when electricity is at its cheapest. Research conducted by Sheffield Solar using 1kWp systems found that east-west systems generated 15% less electricity than those facing.
