Optimizing the tilt angle of solar collectors

Adnan Shariah*, M. Ali Al-Akhras, I. A. Al-Omari

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

164 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Solar collectors need to be tilted at the correct angle to maximize the performance of the system. In this paper, the annual solar fraction of the system (the fraction of energy that is supplied by solar energy) is used as an indicator to find the optimum inclination angles for a thermosyphon solar water heater installed in northern and southern parts of Jordan. Calculations are carried out using the powerful computer program TRNSYS (Transient System Simulation). The system is assumed to operate with a daily hot water load of 150 1 at 55°C flowing during the day according to the widely used Rand consumption profile. The results show that the optimum inclination angle for the maximum solar fraction is about Φ+(0→ 10°) for the northern region (represented by Amman) and about Φ+(0→ 20°) for the southern region (represented by the town of Aqaba). These values are greater than those for maximum solar radiation (which is commonly used as an indicator) at the top of the collector by about 5 to 8°.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)587-598
Number of pages12
JournalRenewable Energy
Volume26
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2002
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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