Validating the optimum tilt angle for PV modules in a semi-arid region of South Africa for the winter season

Abstract

Optimizing the output power of any PV module involves a number of factors, including the setting of the tilt angle. The purpose of this paper is to present empirical evidence validating the optimum tilt angle for PV module installations in semi-arid regions of South Africa for the winter season. The experimental setup includes three identical PV systems where the PV modules where set to different tilt angles as stipulated in the literature. Data was recorded from May to July 2015 using an Arduino board and LabVIEW software. Two power measurements were used to validate the optimum tilt angle as being Latitude plus 10º for the winter season.