Optimum Azimuth Angle of PV Panels with Mutual Shading Effects

The mutual shading of solar panels can dramatically reduce the power of solar panels. Therefore, the orientation of azimuth and tilt angles play a very important role in minimizing the shading effects and thereby will increase the efficiency of solar panels. In this paper, which has been carried out in the Tehran NE location, the 30o tilt angle is considered (the best tilt angle for Tehran s latitude and longitude) and the azimuth angle has been varied. Given the mutual shading of the solar panels on each other, assuming the Ground Collector Ratio (GCR) is 0.5, the losses caused by the mutual shading are calculated, and the annual radiation for each azimuth angle is calculated from 0o to 45o. Finally, the best azimuth angle with combined mutual shading losses and annual radiation is obtained. Simulation results show that the best azimuth angle for Tehran NE with consideration of all aspects is 0o.