Solar Potential in Saudi Arabia for Southward-Inclined Flat-Plate Surfaces
The major objective of the present work is to investigate into the appropriate tilt angles of south-oriented solar panels in Saudi Arabia for maximum performance. This is done with the estimation of the annual energy sums received on surfaces with tilt angles in the range 15°–55° inclined to south a...
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MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/9/4101 |
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| author | Ashraf Farahat Harry D. Kambezidis Mansour Almazroui Emad Ramadan |
| author_facet | Ashraf Farahat Harry D. Kambezidis Mansour Almazroui Emad Ramadan |
| author_sort | Ashraf Farahat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The major objective of the present work is to investigate into the appropriate tilt angles of south-oriented solar panels in Saudi Arabia for maximum performance. This is done with the estimation of the annual energy sums received on surfaces with tilt angles in the range 15°–55° inclined to south at 82 locations covering all Saudi Arabia. The analysis shows that tilt angles of 20°, 25° and 30° towards south are the optimum ones depending on site. These optimum tilt angles define three distinct solar energy zones in Saudi Arabia. The variation of the energy sums in each energy zone on annual, seasonal and monthly basis is given; the analysis provides regression equations for the energy sums as function of time in each case. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of the annual global inclined solar energy in Saudi Arabia is shown in a solar map specially derived. The annual energy sums are found to vary between 1612 kWhm<sup>−2</sup>year<sup>−1</sup> and 2977 kWhm<sup>−2</sup>year<sup>−1</sup> across the country. Finally, the notion of a correction factor is introduced, defined, and employed. This factor can be used to correct energy values estimated by a reference ground albedo to those based on near-real ground albedo. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:47:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1749e78c9e62478ea4c64635bea0e673 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:47:52Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-1749e78c9e62478ea4c64635bea0e6732023-11-21T17:53:44ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172021-04-01119410110.3390/app11094101Solar Potential in Saudi Arabia for Southward-Inclined Flat-Plate SurfacesAshraf Farahat0Harry D. Kambezidis1Mansour Almazroui2Emad Ramadan3Department of Physics, College of General Studies, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran SA-31261, Saudi ArabiaAtmospheric Research Team, Institute of Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, GR-11810 Athens, GreeceCentre of Excellence for Climate Change Research, Department of Meteorology, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80208, Jeddah SA-21589, Saudi ArabiaInformation and Computer Science Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum NS Minerals, Dhahran SA-31261, Saudi ArabiaThe major objective of the present work is to investigate into the appropriate tilt angles of south-oriented solar panels in Saudi Arabia for maximum performance. This is done with the estimation of the annual energy sums received on surfaces with tilt angles in the range 15°–55° inclined to south at 82 locations covering all Saudi Arabia. The analysis shows that tilt angles of 20°, 25° and 30° towards south are the optimum ones depending on site. These optimum tilt angles define three distinct solar energy zones in Saudi Arabia. The variation of the energy sums in each energy zone on annual, seasonal and monthly basis is given; the analysis provides regression equations for the energy sums as function of time in each case. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of the annual global inclined solar energy in Saudi Arabia is shown in a solar map specially derived. The annual energy sums are found to vary between 1612 kWhm<sup>−2</sup>year<sup>−1</sup> and 2977 kWhm<sup>−2</sup>year<sup>−1</sup> across the country. Finally, the notion of a correction factor is introduced, defined, and employed. This factor can be used to correct energy values estimated by a reference ground albedo to those based on near-real ground albedo.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/9/4101solar potentialmaximum energyinclined surfacessouth orientationSaudi Arabia |
| spellingShingle | Ashraf Farahat Harry D. Kambezidis Mansour Almazroui Emad Ramadan Solar Potential in Saudi Arabia for Southward-Inclined Flat-Plate Surfaces Applied Sciences solar potential maximum energy inclined surfaces south orientation Saudi Arabia |
| title | Solar Potential in Saudi Arabia for Southward-Inclined Flat-Plate Surfaces |
| title_full | Solar Potential in Saudi Arabia for Southward-Inclined Flat-Plate Surfaces |
| title_fullStr | Solar Potential in Saudi Arabia for Southward-Inclined Flat-Plate Surfaces |
| title_full_unstemmed | Solar Potential in Saudi Arabia for Southward-Inclined Flat-Plate Surfaces |
| title_short | Solar Potential in Saudi Arabia for Southward-Inclined Flat-Plate Surfaces |
| title_sort | solar potential in saudi arabia for southward inclined flat plate surfaces |
| topic | solar potential maximum energy inclined surfaces south orientation Saudi Arabia |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/9/4101 |
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