Pan-Global, Annualized Determination of Solar Collector Optimum Tilt Angle

The efficient utilization of solar energy necessitates the determination of optimum tilt angles for solar collectors. Here, we describe an explicit annualized, regression-based calculation of optimum tilt angle from horizontal on due south-facing collectors in 30 degrees N to 60 degrees N latitude. Fixed optimum tilt angles throughout the seasons for latitudes between 30 degrees N and 60 degrees N were determined using measured monthly optimum angles from horizontal and the average diurnal peak sun hours by month. This methodology was then generalized to include pan-Global latitudes beta. We show that: ( a) the total energy collected still exceeds 97% of the theoretical maximum and (b), the optimum tilt angle is given by vertical bar alpha vertical bar=vertical bar(0.8818 beta + 0.1320)vertical bar for due North/South azimuths.