Content uploaded by Engr. Abba Muhammad Adua
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Engr. Abba Muhammad Adua on Sep 11, 2023
Content may be subject to copyright.
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2933]
COMPARISONS OF EAST/WEST AND SOUTH ORIENTED PHOTOVOLTAIC
(PV) SYSTEMS IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE AND LAND UTILIZATION
WITH THE BEST OPTIMUM TILT ANGLES.
Abba Muhammad Adua*1, Bashar Yahaya Sanda*2, Abubakar Sadiq*3,
Jamilu Musa*4
*1,3.4Kebbi State University Of Science And Technology, Aliero, Faculty Of Engineering, Department Of
Electrical And Electronic Engineering, PMB 1144, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
*2Kebbi State University Of Science And Technology, Aliero, Faculty Of Engineering, Department Of
Civil Engineering, PMB 1144, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
As the demand for renewable energy sources increases, photovoltaic (PV) systems play a vital role in meeting
sustainable energy goals. One key aspect of PV system design is the determination of the optimum tilt angle,
which significantly impacts system performance and land utilization. In this study, we compare East/West and
South oriented PV systems, analysing their performance and land utilization with the best optimum tilt angles.
The study employs a comprehensive approach, combining numerical simulations and performance evaluations.
Two distinct orientations are considered: East/West and South, representing different sun exposure patterns.
Furthermore, the optimal tilt angles for each orientation are determined using advanced optimization
algorithms. Performance analyses are conducted by evaluating key performance indicators such as energy
production, capacity factor, and annual yield. These parameters provide insights into the efficiency of each PV
system configuration. Additionally, land utilization is assessed by calculating the required area for each system,
considering factors such as shadowing effects and module spacing. Results indicate that East/West oriented PV
systems offer advantages in terms of energy production and capacity factor compared to South oriented
systems. The distributed sun exposure over the day enhances power generation during peak demand hours.
Conversely, South oriented systems exhibit higher annual yields due to improved solar radiation capture during
specific periods. Land utilization analyses reveal that East/West systems require larger land areas compared to
South oriented systems. The spread-out arrangement of panels in East/West configurations necessitates
additional space. However, this drawback can be mitigated by utilizing marginal lands or optimizing inter-row
spacing. This study sheds light on the trade-offs between East/West and South oriented PV systems with the
best optimum tilt angles. The findings contribute to the decision-making process for PV system designers,
enabling them to select the most suitable configuration based on their specific goals and constraints.
Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of considering both performance and land utilization
aspects to achieve efficient and sustainable PV installations.
Keywords: Solar Energy, Orientation, Photovoltaic System, Optimum Tilt Angles.
I. INTRODUCTION
The human race heavily depends on energy technology for its existence. Therefore, energy becomes the
essential source of civilization of the human development. By clearly looking at the past generations, even the
primitive man in the society was keen to develop any kind of activity with energy. Presently, our energy
consumption is based on resources from non-renewable energy such as fossil fuels, which include natural gas,
oil, coal, etc. (Trackers et al., 2011). These energy resources are exhaustible however, it accounts for more than
eighty percent (80%) of the world's total primary energy demand. Another drawback of using non-renewable
energy is that, it is causing health hazard and environmental degradation (Alkan & Ates, 2023). Fossil fuels
posed global warming in recent years and yet, the energy demand always growing and with this, the supplies
for fossil fuels are decreasing to the minimal level (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, 2021). The demand for
energy is always rising more especially in the developing countries. Renewable energy is the surest way to
meet your energy demand as such your electric bill will drop. How enormously you will save on your bill, this
will depend on the ability of the solar system and the rate of your energy consumption (Tina et al., 2022). This
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2934]
is due to the present lifestyle of the countries. Thus, it is been projected that the primary energy need of the
world in the middle of the 21st century will definitely increase the current energy demand due to the increased
in industrialization, growth in population, and economic development. Fossil fuels reserves can definitely
deplete the estimate in becoming decades (Balta M. T., 2012). The only alternative for the world to have
continued and constant energy is going toward nuclear fusion energy and renewable (van Aken et al., 2021).
However, the renewable energy requires a long terms and expensive scientific studies but the former is also a
threat to our health and environments. Solar energy can generate electricity in vulnerable areas that have no
access to the energy network, to power satellites in space as well as distil water in areas with limited clean
water supplies. In addition to these, solar energy systems generally do not require a lot of maintenance because
most of them or all have no moving parts as such they cannot wear and tear (Muqeet et al., 2021).
However, the electric mix prolongs its gradual transformation; as such, the electricity production mix is
emerging very gradually, with coal quiet resulting in 43 per cent. Aloft the last few years, the declining weight
of nuclear energy and the increase of renewable, that now deems for 24% (this including hydraulics), is
likewise starting to be outstanding (Ang et al., 2022).. Investments in renewable powers are further leading on,
largely in Asia. China, singularly, marks its wind-based or solar-based generation develop very fast (Troops &
Optimized, 2022). The Costs of Solar Photovoltaic has dropped recently as the Ipv Companies has scaled up
manufacturing and incrementally improved their technology with new emerging materials. Due to the rapid
development in the power sector, it is possible to produce single crystal silicon solar cells close to 25% efficient
under laboratory conditions (Ali et al., 2021). Installation costs of the PV technology have come down
drastically too as a result of the experienced hands and well trained installers. However, the United States still
left behind other countries that have good and strong policies which enabled them to shift energy use from
non-renewable energy to renewable energy more especially to solar energy (Sawle et al., 2016). The average
price of a finished PV system has almost dropped by also 38% after the beginning of 2017 (Ewais et al., 2023).
Nevertheless, the Solar cell research has continues to improve the efficiency of solar cells in recent years with
targets that aimed to reach a limit of 25-30%. The efficiency of commercially solar cells produced in laboratory
lag behind for some years. However, it is estimated that the efficiency of the module produced commercially are
over 20% (Lahnaoui et al., 2017). Moreover, for the given cost of module, the higher the efficiency of the
modules, the higher the cost of the module, that is the more cost-effective the module will be because, fewer
additional costs such as lade area, wiring costs and so other cost are needed to generate the same amount of
power. As a result of this lower cost techniques will surely lead to lower efficiency of the PV panel (Belabbas et
al., 2019). Therefore, after the installation cost of the solar, there is little spending on the repair work and
maintenance (Krishnan et al., 2020).
1.1 The Aim Objectives of the Study
The research was aimed to compare East/West and South Oriented Systems in terms of Performance and Land
Utilization. While the objectives of the study were to compare south oriented PV system with Eat/West
oriented system of three different locations (Nicosia, Maiduguri and Stuttgart) and analysed their Performance
in terms ratios, Annual energy yields and Specific Energy yields.
II. LITERAURE REVIEW
2.1 Photovoltaic
Solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity assets have historically generated negligible amounts of energy in electric
grids around the world, for which hydroelectric power generations and thermal power plants account for the
majority of electricity generation (Cui et al., 2017). Yet, the small carbon profile and low marginal price of solar
electricity are of interest to planners because they can reduce wholesale energy costs while avoiding emissions.
As solar installation costs continue to fall, installed utility-scale solar capacities are expected to grow
dramatically (Khan et al., 2020). As grids incorporate more solar capacity, it is prudent to assess the trade-offs
of integrating solar generation into an electric grid (Shayeghi et al., 2022). PV systems are mainly affected by
their operating temperature, which is the product of the level of the sunlight and ambient temperature. As long
as the strength and the length of solar received are more vital factors in the efficiency of solar panel power
production efficiency, the temperature and other environmental factors can, however, reduced the efficiency
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2935]
and also lower the output of the solar panel (Alghamdi, 2023). The effect of temperature on solar panels
powers production change depending on the units employed. The high voltage PV units are less negatively
affected by temperature than the lower voltaic PV units systems (Trinuruk et al., 2009). The photovoltaic
systems applications can be beneficial in any place that requires electrical energy. In light of the necessity of
electrical energy, different frameworks came into the presence (Jyoti Saharia et al., 2018). The photovoltaic
technology has dependably had an upper edge of different advancements as it is without pollution free and it
utilizes solar energy that is unreservedly and colossally accessible. Another preferred standpoint with the PV
innovation is that it does not emit any greenhouse gasses amidst the operation and thus environmentally
friendly (Hailu, 2019).
2.2 Climatic and Environmental Issues
Climate change, or global warming, is the highest environmental danger we have ever confronted. How we
react to this emergency will extraordinarily affect both present and future generations and every single other
species (IEA, 2014).Global emissions of carbon dioxide remained at 32.3 billion tons in 2014, which is almost
the same from the first year (van Aken et al., 2021). The IEA data recommend that endeavours to moderate
climate change might have a more articulated effect on emissions than had beforehand been though. The IEA
attributes the stop in emissions development to changing examples of energy utilization in China and OECD
nations. In China, 2014 saw more prominent age of electricity from renewable sources, for example,
hydropower, solar and wind, and less consuming of coal. The global warming has posed a great treat in recent
years, so the demand for renewable power grows day by day, and the supplies of the non-renewable energy are
at the decreasing level as such, there is a need to adopt an alternative energy source (Trackers et al., 2011).
Fossil fuels are formed from an organic remain of pre-historic animals as well as plants. Fossil fuels are coal,
gas, and oil. This is the major source of energy for many centuries and it provides about 28% of our energy,
consumption, and oil is the second with provides around 40% respectively (Velik, 2014a). The sulphur dioxide
is a gas gained by burning coal; it is an acidic gas that gives to the disposition of acid rain in the atmosphere.
Nevertheless, this can be seriously avoided using what is called "flue gas desulphurization" and the process
involves cleaning up the gases before they are released into the atmosphere (Farzaneh et al., 2021).
2.3 The Need for Renewable Energy
Rahkar Farshi, (2021)confirmed that the nineteen century was actually the era of coal for an energy source,
twenty century as the era of fossil fuels where the twenty-first centenary which we are in is the age of usage of
solar energy. The main reasons to go toward the renewable energy is many, firstly the reserves of the fossil
fuels depleting as a result of their excessive usage and secondly the emission of carbon dioxide been released
due to the consumption of fossil fuels are the major cause of present climate change which is making our
environment more challenging to exist (Velik, 2013a). Therefore the use of renewable energy, as well as energy
from the solar which is readily available abundant and free, is definitely the surest way to reduce the discharge
of carbon dioxide (Velik, 2014b). The renewable energy sources combining can produce 3078 times the needed
global energy and solar energy is the one with the highest fraction among the source. The solar energy
technology is increasingly becoming more prevalent nowadays. Perhaps, solar energy system is one of the most
significant renewable energy sources which is been gaining attention nowadays (Shahzad et al., 2023).
2.4 The Renewable Energy and Investment
In recent years, the growing demand for renewable energy sources and the increasing concern over
environmental sustainability have led to a significant shift towards decentralized power generation systems
(Zhu et al., 2019). Microgrid systems have emerged as a promising solution to address the challenges
associated with traditional centralized power grids. In the year 2022, the advancement of renewable energy
stalled in one regard and speed up in a different way (Alkan & Ates, 2023). However, the Investment in
renewables excluding huge hydro dropped by almost 24 percent up to $241.6 billion, though the number of
current capacity o the installed renewable energy raised from 127.5GW in 2015 to a record of up to 138.5GW in
2016. Coincidentally, the recent renewable resources from wind, biomass, solar, geothermal as well as the
waste, marine and hydro have indeed accounted for 55 percent of the whole gigawatts of the new energy
generation, which was further added globally last year. Solar gigawatts were also added (about 75GW) higher
than any other technology for the first time in electricity generation sector. The main reason why installations
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2936]
improved although money spent dropped was a clear discount in capital costs for solar PV, onshore as well as
offshore wind respectively (Velik, 2013b). On a less certain note, there were distinct signs as 2016 passed by on
of stalling project in two key markets, Japan and China. The 2018 gigawatt total was equal to 65% of all the
generating capacity, which is, computed worldwide, the largest proportion in any year until now (Komor,
2009). Nevertheless, the recent investment in renewables capacity was approximately multiplied that in fossil
fuel production in 2016, for the fifth consecutive year (Azaioud et al., 2020). The proportion of global energy,
which is evolving from these renewable resources, grew from 10.3% in 2015 up to 11.3% in 2016 and have
checked the emission up 1.7 Gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2) (Enerdata, 2017). There were two foremost
reasons for the decline in investment in renewables energy in the year 2016. One was the low costs of the
average dollar capital investment each MW below by more than 10 percent for solar PV, however, the onshore
wind, as well as the offshore wind energy are increasing competition of those technologies. Although the
drawback was a marked slowdown in financings in Japan, China and other, emerging markets throughout last
year (World Energy Council, 2017).
2.5 South and East/West Orientations
There is lacked of willingness to install east-west oriented PV systems in the past but, currently there is a lot of
interest from different quarters in installing PV systems towards east-west direction, in facts, installation of
east-west roofs steadily are increasing even though south oriented systems are prominent, east-west oriented
photovoltaic systems can efficiently generate considerable earnings (Reagan & Kurtz, 2022). However, because
of the sudden drop in module prices, continues demand for east-west systems are increasing daily (Dhimish et
al., 2019). Based on the experts in grid operation point of view, the east-west systems are preferable than the
south oriented PV systems, as the energy is usually fed-in more constantly all through the day, therefore,
downsizing power peaks thereby relieving the entire grid. Renusol, (2014) describes the advantages of E/W PV
installations over South oriented PV systems placed on flat roofs of commercial buildings in the UK. "PV with
E/W orientation produce nearby 30% more solar power than South oriented systems fitted to flat roofs of the
same dimension. Whereas, south oriented solar PV installations need their rows of modules to be separated
distant apart to dodge shadows being formed by the modules and creating yield losses, in E/W PV installations
solar modules can be fitted more tightly mutually on roofs frequently at angles of around 100." Until now it is
been assumed that east-west oriented photovoltaic systems need separate inverters for each of the orientation,
or probably at best one inverter with multiple maximum power point (MPP) to prevent losses as a result of
mismatch (M et al., 2020). South oriented has been accepted as an optimal orientation for PV power systems
orientation in the southern hemisphere by convention because the south orientated systems are better but with
the recent outcome, it has been observed that there are some systems which performed better orientation, tilt
latitude and can also generate substantial energy such as east-west orientated PV systems (Lahnaoui et al.,
2017).
III. METHODS
3.1 Details of the Locations
In this study, the orientation of PV modules in Cyprus on the general efficiency of the solar cell was determined
and compared with three other selected cities, Nicosia (Cyprus), Maiduguri (Nigeria) and Stuttgart (Germany).
The three cities were selected based on their position from the Equator Maiduguri is much closer to the
Equator followed by Nicosia then Stuttgart. The east-west oriented versus south oriented PV modules of Cyprus
with respect to the three cities are determined in order to get the best location with higher solar radiation,
efficiency and the orientation with the better energy yields. A PV web design was used to simulate the PV
modules. The maximum orientation, tilt angle and other parameters were selected for the simulation and the
result was obtained. A PV web design Software, which provides a unique environment for PV analysis and
simulation. It was chosen for this particular research in order to simulate the selected location in this thesis.
3.1.1 Location A: Nicosia
Northern Cyprus has a length of 65 km north in the Mediterranean, a length of 112 km east of Syria as well as
Israel 267 km, 162 km to Lebanon and Egypt as well, 418 km southward of the west and Greece is located at
965 km from Cyprus. Nevertheless, Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean next to Sicily as well
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2937]
as Sardinia islands. Northern Cyprus has 35.323711 latitude and 33,314941 longitudes respectively. Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus has an area of 3355 km ², which is a near moiety of the island coast in the confines
of the Northern Cyprus.
Having understood the global energy issues, its influence on our environment as well as the speedy exhaustion
of fossil fuel reserves brought about the necessity to find another alternative resource of energy sources so as
find out an urgent solution for the future of our energy means. Cyprus has a significant potential for energy
generation having strategically located or positioned in the Middle East and central Europe. However, like lots
of islands, Cyprus does not have a very large electricity network; it heavily depends on imported energy
sources example oil and gas. It is because of this possible reason that the energy generation capacity of both
wind and solar systems becomes known in the Cyprus Island. Even though there are, many research and
publications pertaining the solar potential of Cyprus, but there is petite academic study on solar impending
change into electrical energy.
Figure 3.1: Shows the map of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
3.1.2 Climate of Northern Cyprus
Northern Cyprus holds an extreme Mediterranean climate including the common annual swings heavily
marked in honour of temperature, rainfall, as well as weather usually. It has a hot and dry summertime from
mid-May up to mid-October, shortfalls, and spring seasons of an accelerated shift in weather situations part
rainy, somewhat unpredictable winters from mid-November up to mid-March. The dominantly crystal skies
and far reaching sun radiation give wide seasonal and daily discords within temperatures of the sea in addition
to the inside of the island, which additionally make noteworthy restricted impacts, especially near the coast. All
things considered, At of Latitude 350 north and Longitude 330 east, Northern Cyprus has a variance in day-
length of 9.8 hours from December up to 14.5 hours in the period of June. In addition, in summer the Northern
Cyprus is essentially under the control of a surface trough of low pressure extending from the known
continental depression which strengthened crosswise over southwest Asia. It is a time of high temperatures
with generally clear skies. Rainfall is however is negligible that hid the rainstorms from time to
3.2 Location B: Stuttgart
3.2.1 Comparison of Performance with Stuttgart, Germany
Stuttgart has the latitude of 48°46'N, longitude of 9°10'E, the annual high temperature of 48.8°, the annual low
temperature of 9.2° and the altitude/ elevation of 315 m (1033 ft) respectively. The high potential of PV in
Cyprus is broad if correlating data among the two test sites. In Stuttgart, the average seasonally yield was 1194
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2938]
kWh/kWp rated and in Nicosia, it was 1580 kWh/kWp measured. The variance among the best and the worst
performing PV-system is 15 percent in both countries related to the average values although it has been
recorded that the solar radiance measured in Stuttgart throughout the time of June 2006 – June 2007 was
nearly 19 percent higher than the long-term average radiation of another year.
Figure 3.2: Shows the Stuttgart installed PV and solar irradiation (Sunny Design Web)
3.3 Location C: Maiduguri
Maiduguri is located in Nigeria country, in Africa region. Maiduguri has a latitude as well as longitude
coordinates of 11°50'48.91"N, 13°9'25.63"E respectively. The Latitude position of Maiduguri from the equator
is 1317km (819mi) distance and is 8690km (5400mi) to the North Pole. While the Longitude position of
Maiduguri from the Prime meridian is 1432 km (890mi). The local time in Maiduguri is +1h to the GMT. The
highest record temperature ever recorded in Maiduguri was 47 °C (117 °F) on 28 May 1983, while the lowest
record temperature was 5 °C (41 °F) on 26 December 1979. It has an average temperature 24°C (75.2°F),
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2939]
Minimal temperature 14°C (57.2°F), Maximal temperature 38°C (100.4°F), and Day average temperature 27°C
(80.6°F).
Figure 3.3: Shows the map of Maiduguri/Nigeria
3.4 Evaluation Of Design
The Sunny Design Web is software, which is used in sketching and designing PV systems as well as PV hybrid
configuration. The Sunny Design Web makes a design of the scheme tender for proposed PV configuration. The
Sunny Design, in addition, gives a series of PV array plus inverters that match, as nearly as practicable, the
designations pertaining power level, energy yields, performance ratio as well as specific yields.
Notwithstanding, the possibility of determining and optimizing the basic self-consumption, sizing the cables,
assessing efficiency in PV hybrid systems can be achieved. The range of applications of both versions is alike.
There is a plainly practice Sunny Design Web through the Internet. There is a need to set up the desktop version
of sunny design web on the computer and, watching first enlistment; it does not require an Internet Connection.
To guarantee that a Sunny Design desktop version keeps on continuing current, (for example the new inverters
and in addition the new PV modules), it should from time to time pick up an update for the Sunny Design web
desktop version over the Internet "thereby performing an Update for Sunny Design web Desktop Version." The
Sunny Design Web remains updated. It can synchronize Sunny Design Web and the Sunny Design desktop
version of the Internet. Using Sunny Design, and in consistence with all general legal and industrial conditions,
it can depicts to a few design digests with all SMA inverters in the design of frameworks. In Sunny Design the
following projects models are conceivable:
1 PV project, for outlining a PV model;
2 Designing a PV project with self-consumption
3 PV hybrid project: This is employed for designing a PV framework by utilizing electric generators.
3.4.1 Sunny Design Web
“Sunny Design" programming is been created by SMA Solar Technology AG and is copyright protected. It is
exhibited to the client for nothing out of pocket and for a unlimited time.
3.4.2 Inverter Data
The chose technical data of the SMA inverter is constantly observed and, if vital refreshed or updated.
Nevertheless, variation, as well as error will never be wiped out.
3.4.3 PV Module Data
The picked technical data of the PV modules depends on the openly available data of the corresponding
manufacturers. In addition, SMA has incorporated the readied data into the software with the best care
conceivable. The contents of this software are constantly checked and if necessary, changed. However,
difference cannot be dispensed with.
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2940]
3.4.4 Insulation Data
This data have been given to SMA by different establishments and are approved to be utilized in this program.
Subsequently, SMA does not take any liability for completeness as well as the precision of these data. The
simulation was completed utilizing PV web design, which gives a novel domain to the quick improvement of PV
design program. PV web design simulations are software applications, which ordinarily keep running on the
web that empowers a user to run a model of a system. Users can indicate the details of the project and observe
the performance and the efficiency of the design project.
3.5. Design Specifications
For this study, ten polycrystalline PV modules were used for the south oriented system while, for E/W oriented
system ten modules were used, five for east facing modules and five for west facing modules, which are jointly
connected back to back. The design selected the best tilt angles in the south oriented systems and compared it
with E/W oriented systems with different tilt angles.
3.6.3 Performance Ratio
The Performance Ratio is the ratio between actual yields (i.e. annual production of electricity delivered at AC).
In other word, this is not far away from the tip of what one could surmise from the module with close to perfect
conditions. (The “p” denotes the peak.). Therefore, Performance Ratio (PR) can also be defined as the ratio
between the actual energy production as well as a system without loss.
(3.1)
The performance ratio usually termed "Quality Factor", is independent of the radiation and consequently
valuable to compare systems. It drives into the record all pre-conversion losses, inverter losses, conduction
losses and thermal losses. It is beneficial to estimate the performance ratio during the operation of the system,
as a deterioration could improve pinpoint causes of yield losses.
Where;
h-Pre conversion efficiency -System efficiency, -Relative module efficiency,-Pre-conversion
efficiency, -Normal module efficiency, and -Yearly sum of global irradiance
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The simulation results of photovoltaic efficiency using Sunny Design Web was discussed in this chapter.
4.1 THE RESULTS
The results displayed the variations of the annual energy yields in KWp, Specific energy yields, and the
performance ratio of South orientation (1800 azimuth angle) versus East-West Orientation (-90/900 azimuth
angle) with different selected tilt angles.
1. LOCATION A: NICOSIA
For Cyprus, in order to get the best tilt angle in terms of performance and energy yields, some angles were
tested so as to select the best tilt angle for the south oriented systems in Nicosia, seven tilt angles were run to
confirm the best among them. From the analysis, it was confirmed that 300 tilt angle was found to be the one
with the highest annual yields. Thus, for this research a 300 tilt angle for south oriented systems was
maintained throughout.
Table 4.1: Shows the south oriented of Nicosia system
CYPRUS
SOUTH ORIENTED ENERGY YIELDS (kWh)
MONTH
350
300
250
200
150
100
January
328
318
307
292
276
257
February
348
342
334
324
311
295
March
441
441
441
437
431
421
April
460
466
463
476
477
475
May
492
506
520
529
537
541
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2941]
June
494
513
530
544
554
562
July
497
513
528
540
548
554
August
546
557
567
573
576
576
September
468
470
461
468
463
454
October
442
436
429
418
405
387
November
361
350
339
324
307
287
December
331
318
304
287
268
248
Annual E-Yields
5,208 5153
5,230
5,223
5,213
5,153
5,058
Therefore, from Table 4.1 it can be deduce that for Nicosia the south oriented system at 30o tilt angle is the best
and has energy yields of 5230 kWh. For this analysis, the south oriented at 300 tilt angle was maintained and
compared with East/West oriented at 350, 300, 250, 200, 150, and 100 tilt angles.
Table 4.2: Shows the Annual Energy Yields of South oriented Versus East-West Oriented in Cyprus
CYPRUS
SOUTH
E-Yield
(Kwh)
EAST-WEST ORIENTED
Energy Yield (Kwh)
MONTH
300
350
300
250
200
150
100
January
318
226
228
229
229
227
225
February
342
278
279
279
278
275
272
March
441
383
389
395
399
401
402
April
466
414
425
436
446
453
459
May
506
474
488
503
516
526
535
June
513
508
522
537
549
557
564
July
513
511
524
537
547
554
559
August
557
515
528
541
552
559
565
September
470
369
380
391
401
409
417
October
436
279
288
299
309
317
327
November
350
197
204
211
218
224
230
December
318
173
178
183
188
192
196
Annual E-Yields
5,230
4,328
4,432
4,54
1
4,632
4,69
5
4,750
Spec. E yields
1715
1419
1453
1489
1519
1539
1557
It can be seen from Table 4.2, that the annual energy yields at 300 tilt angle for south orientation is the best
throughout the year when compared with east/west orientation at 350 tilt angle in Cyprus. When a monthly
energy yields are compared, the south oriented at 300 has higher energy yields than 350 east/west oriented
throughout the entire year. However, the east/west oriented at 300, 250, 150 and 100 tilt angles have greater
energy yields during the summertime (i.e. May, June, July and August) than south oriented at 300 tilt angle.
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2942]
Figure 4.1 Shows the variation of annual energy yields of South Oriented Vs. East/West in Cyprus
It can be seen from Figure 4.1, that the annual energy yields at 300 tilt angle for south orientation is the best
throughout the year when compared with east/west at 350 tilt angle orientation in Cyprus. When a monthly
energy yield is compared, the south oriented at 300 has higher energy yields than 350 east/west oriented
throughout the entire year. However, the east/west oriented at 300, 250, 150 and 100 tilt angles have greater
energy yields during the summer (i.e. May, June, July and August) than south oriented at 300 tilt angle.
Table 4.3: Shows the Specicfic Energy Yields of South oriented Vs. East-West Oriented in Cyprus
CYPRUS
SOUTH
EAST-WEST ORIENTATION ENERGY YIELD (kWh)
300
350
300
250
200
150
100
Annual E-
Yields(kWh)
5,230
4,328
4,432
4,541
4,632
4,694
4,749
Spec. E yields
1715
1419
1453
1489
1519
1539
1557
% Difference
17.25
15.3
0
13.20
11.43
11.4
9.20
The annual energy yields were used to obtain the specific energy yields and thereafter percentage difference
was calculated as displayed in Table 4.3. And from the results it can be seen that 100 tilt angle at E/W is the best
when compared with the other angles at the same orientation i.e. E/W orientation in the case of Nicosia.
Figure 4.2: Shows the Specific Energy Yields of South Oriented Vs. East/West oriented tilt angles in Cyprus
0
100
200
300
400
500
600 CYPRUS, E-YIELDS OF
SOUTH ORIENTED AT 30
DEGREE TILT ANGLES
Cyprus, E-yields of E/W
oriented at 35 tilt anle
Cyprus, E-yields of E/W
oriented at 30 tilt anle
Cyprus, E-yields of E/W
oriented at 25 tilt anle
1715 1419 1453 1489 1519 1539 1557
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2943]
As it can be seen from Figure 4.2, that the south orientation at 300 is the highest in terms of annual specific
annual yields when compared with east/west oriented. However, east/west oriented at 100 tilt angle is higher
than 350, 300, 200 and 150 tilt angles respectively.
2. LOCATION B: STUTTGART
For Germany, in order to get the best tilt angle in terms of performance and energy yields, some angles were
tested so as to select the best tilt angle for the south oriented systems in Stuttgart, seven tilt angles were run to
confirm the best among them. From the analysis, it was confirmed that 450 tilt angle was found to be the one
with the highest annual yields. Thus, for this research a 450 tilt angle for south oriented systems was
maintained throughout.
Table 4.4: Shows the south oriented system of Stuttgart
GERMANY
SOUTH ENERGY YIELD (kWh)
MONTH
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
January
165
161
155
148
140
130
120
February
202
200
196
191
185
177
168
March
266
269
270
259
267
263
257
April
314
323
330
335
338
320
339
May
354
368
380
371
399
400
410
June
330
345
358
340
380
368
395
July
369
385
398
400
419
427
433
August
371
382
360
347
401
404
404
September
304
307
300
310
309
306
301
October
222
222
220
216
211
204
196
November
169
165
159
153
145
136
126
December
148
143
136
129
120
111
101
Annual E-Yields
3,214.1
1
3,268
3,263.5
2
3,269.8
7
3,259.8
7
3,245.2
2
2,249.2
4
Therefore, for Stuttgart the south oriented system at 45o tilt angle is the best and has energy yields of 3,268
kWh. For this analysis, the south oriented at 450 tilt angle was maintained and compared with East/West
oriented at selected angles.
Table 4.5: Shows the Annual Energy Yields of South Vs. E/W Oriented in Germany
GERMANY
SOUTH
EAST-WEST ORIENTED Energy Yield (Kwh)
MONTH
450
450
400
350
300
250
200
January
161
80
80
80
80
80
79
It can be seen from Table 4.6 that the annual energy yields for east/west orientations at 45c, 40c, 35c, 300, 250,
and 200 tilt angles are less than south orientation at 450 tilt angle in Germany throughout the year.
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2944]
Figure 4.3: Shows the variation of annual energy yields of South Oriented Vs. East/West in Germany
It can be seen from Figure 4.5 that the annual energy yields for east/west orientations at 450, 400, 350 250, 300
and 200 tilt angles are less than south orientation 450 tilt angle in Germany throughout.
Table 4.6: Shows the Specicfic Energy Yields of South oriented Versus East-West Oriented in Germany
GERMANY
SOUTH
EAST-WEST ENERGY YIELD (kWh)
450
450
400
350
300
250
200
Annual E-Yields
3,268
2,528
2,598
2660
2,718
2,768
2,812
Specific Yields
1071
829
852
872
891
908
922
The annual energy yields were used to obtain the Specific energy yields and thereafter percentage difference
was calculated as displayed in Table 4.6.
Figure 4.4: Shows the Specific Energy Yields of South Oriented Vs. East/West oriented in Germany
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
GERMANY, E-YIELDS OF
SOUTH ORIENTED AT 45
DEGREE TILT ANGLE
GERMANY, E-Yields of
East/West Oriented at 45
degree tilt angle
GERMANY, E-Yields of
East/West Oriented at 40
degree tilt angle
GERMANY, E-Yields of
East/West OrientEd at 35
degree tilt angle
GERMANY, E-Yields of
East/West Oriented at 30
degree tilt angle
GERMANY E-Yields of
East/West Oriented at 25
degree tilt angle
GERMANY, E-Yields of
East/West Oriented at 20
degree tilt angle
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2945]
As it can be seen from the Figure 4.4, that the south orientation at 450 tilt angle is the best when compared the
E/W orientation. Therefore, when east/west oriented is considered, as the angles reduced, the specific energy
yields increases. Therefore, the south oriented is better than the E/W oriented in Stuttgart, Germany.
South oriented at 450 tilt angle has the highest performance ratio when compared with east/west oriented at
450, 400, 350 and 300 250, and 300 tilt angles respectively Germany as shown in Table 4.8.
3. LOCATION C: MAIDUGURI
For Nigeria, in order to get the best tilt angle in terms of performance and energy yields, some angles were
tested so as to selects the best tilt angle for the south oriented systems in Nigeria, seven tilt angles were run to
confirm the best among them. From the analysis, it was confirmed that 100 tilt angle was found to be the one
with the highest annual yields. Thus, for this research a 100 tilt angle for south oriented system was maintained
throughout.
Table 4.7: Shows the south oriented system of Maiduguri at 350,300, 250, 150,100 and 50 tilt angles
NIGERIA
SOUTH ORIENTED SYSTEM ENERGYYIELDS (kWh)
MONTH
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
January
558
555
550
542
531
516
496
February
479
482
482
479
474
466
455
March
469
482
492
498
502
502
500
April
415
435
451
466
477
486
491
May
395
419
441
461
479
494
506
June
342
365
386
406
424
439
452
July
337
356
374
390
404
416
426
August
378
396
412
426
437
446
452
September
394
407
417
425
431
434
435
October
512
517
520
519
516
510
500
November
545
543
539
533
523
511
494
December
556
552
546
537
525
508
486
Annual E.Yields
5,380.82
5,509.6
3
5,610.8
6
5,683.2
1
5,723.9
8
5,72
9
5,693.4
5
Therefore, for Nigeria the south oriented system at 10o tilt angle is the best and has energy yields of 5,729 kWh.
For this analysis, the south oriented at 100 tilt angle was maintained and compared with East/West oriented at
50, 150, 200,250,300 and 350 tilt angles.
Table 4.8: Shows the Annual Energy Yields of South Vs. E/W Oriented in Nigeria
NIGERIA
SOUTH
EAST-WEST ORIENTED ENERGY YIELD (Kwh)
MONTH
100
50
100
150
200
250
300
January
516
477
480
479
475
467
458
February
466
448
454
458
458
456
450
March
502
498
500
499
495
488
480
April
486
492
488
483
473
462
450
May
494
510
504
496
484
470
456
June
439
461
458
453
444
434
422
July
416
433
431
427
421
412
403
August
446
453
449
443
434
424
413
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2946]
September
434
429
424
417
408
398
386
October
510
477
467
454
440
425
408
November
511
463
452
440
425
410
393
December
508
457
451
444
434
422
409
Annual E.Yields
5,729
5,600
5,557
5,49
4
5,39
1
5,270
5,128
S. E.yields(
kWp)
1878
1836
1822
1801
1768
1728
1681
It can be seen from Table 4.8 that the annual energy yields at 100 tilt angle for south orientation is the best
throughout the year when compared with east/west orientation at 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 tilt angles in
Nigeria. However, when east/west orientation is considered, as the angles increases, the energy yields reduced
as well.
Figure 4.5: Shows the variation of annual energy yields of South Vs. E/W Oriented in Nigeria.
It can be seen from Figure 4.5 that the annual energy yields at 100 tilt angle for south orientation is the best
throughout the year when compared with east/west orientation at 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 tilt angles in
Nigeria. However, when east/west orientation is considered, as the angles increases, the energy yields reduced
as well.
Table 4.9: Shows the Specicfic Energy Yields South Vs. E/W Oriented in Nigeria
NIGERIA
SOUTH
E/W ORIENTED ENERGY YIELD (Kwh)
Tilt angle
300
350
300
250
200
150
100
Annual E-Yields
5,728.88
5,600
5,557
5,493
5,391
5,270
5,128
Specific Yields
1878
1836
1822
1801
1768
1728
1681
% Difference
2.25
3.00
4.12
6.00
8.00
10.49
The annual energy yields were used to obtain the Specific energy yields and thereafter percentage difference
was calculated as displayed in Table 4.9.
0
100
200
300
400
500
600 NIGERIA, E-YIELDS OF
SOUTH ORIENTED AT 10
DEGREE TILT ANGLE
NIGERIA, E-Yields of
East/West Oriented at 5
degree tilt angle
NIGERIA, E-Yields of
East/West Oriented at
10 degree tilt angle
NIGERIA, E-Yields of
East/West OrientEd at
15 degree tilt angle
NIGERIA, E-Yields of
East/West Oriented at
20 degree tilt angle
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2947]
Figure 4.6: Shows the Specific Energy Yields of South Vs. E/W Oriented in Nigeria
As it can be seen from the bar chart in Figure 4.6, the south orientation at 100 is the highest in terms of annual
specific annual yields when compared with east/west oriented. However, east/west oriented at 50 tilt angle is
higher than 100 150, 200, 250, and 300 tilt angles respectively.
4.2 Findings
The analysed result showed and fully explained the simulation results of the research. The annual energy
yields, specific energy yields and the performance ratio for the three countries were obtained from the PV web
design simulation that was carried out. The comparison of the energy yields in kWh, the specific energy yields
in KWp and the performance ratio for the three countries viz, Cyprus, Nigeria, and Germany were obtained and
analysed. The south oriented and the east/west orientated PV system over a period of 12 months was
simulated. Based on the results of the annual record that is, from January to December. It is shown that the
south oriented has the highest energy yields, specific energy yields and performance ratios in all the three
countries when an annual output is considered. However, when monthly yields are considered, there are
months in which the east/west oriented has the highest yields than the south oriented system depending on the
tilt angles and the country as well.
For Cyprus, the south oriented PV systems at 300 tilt angles, has the highest energy yields, specific energy yields
and performance ratios when compared with east/west oriented system is considered. Cyprus has less PV solar
energy when compared with Nigeria however, Cyprus is better than Germany.
Nigeria for example, from January - March and from September - December, the south oriented has the highest
yields when compared with east/west oriented irrespective of the tilt angles. However in Nigeria, from April to
August the east/west oriented has the highest yields depending on the tilt angles used. Nevertheless, when
east/west oriented is considered, the best tilt angles are 50 and 100. They are better than 150, 200, 250, and
300tilt angles respectively. In terms of specific energy yields in Nigeria, south oriented is better than east/west
oriented. Nigeria has the best PV solar potential than Cyprus and Germany respectively.
For Germany, the south oriented at 450 is better than the east/west oriented at 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, and 200
tilt angles respectively in terms of energy yields, specific energy yields and performance ratios. However,
Germany has less solar PV potential than Nigeria and Cyprus.
4.2.1 South Orientation versus East-West Orientations
In the solar industry, this general believes that the optimal orientation of solar PV panels in the Northern
Hemisphere is entirely believed to be south all the time to maximize electricity production over the lifetime of
the system. Recently, there has been much argument, and despite incentives being given to the manufacturers
to encouraged users to orient PV systems east/west. However, one may ask why do people should face PV
panels east/west? The reply rests on the fundamental prerequisite of utilities to give a consistent and enduring
SPEC.YIELDS
OF SOUTH
ORIENTED
AT 10 DEG.
Sp. Yields of
East/West
Oriented at
5 Deg.
Sp. Yields of
East/West
Oriented at
10 Deg.
Sp. Yields of
East/West
Oriented at
15 Deg.
Sp. Yields of
East/West
Oriented at
20 Deg.
Sp. Yields of
East/West
Oriented at
25 Deg.
Sp. Yields of
East/West
Oriented at
30 Deg
1878
1836 1822 1801 1768 1728
1681
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2948]
grid. In line to ingest so, utilities must uphold the stability at any provided occasion contained by the electricity
that consumed (which is known as grid load) with the one being produced from all the other sources, including
renewable, fossils, and nuclear sources. In the aforementioned mix, solar PV power designates a changeable
resource that is running from sunrise to sunset, and which peaks at distinctive periods throughout the day
depending on the specific orientation of the PV panels used. In low PV infiltration situations, where small
ground mounting PV has been installed both variability, as well as peak generation, would possess limited or no
effect on the stability of the grid. Nevertheless, in regions with great PV penetration, PV potential variability and
peak production will hit the grid in several ways. With regard to variability, PV production fluctuations can be
controlled by a special quality and perfect forecast in combination with a sufficient supply of producing
reserves fast responding and approximately expensive generating technologies. Power generation variability is
quite comparable for both south- and east/west-oriented systems.
A readiness to install east-west orientated photovoltaic (PV) systems have lacked in the past. However
presently, concern in installing PV Systems on east/west orientation is rising. Although south-oriented modules
produce more energy, east/west can generate substantial earnings since they adjust better to load profile,
particularly in household PV systems. From the view of grid operatives, east/west systems are preferred
because the energy is fed-in more constantly during the day. Besides, because of the apparent drop in module
costs, this caused a rising demand for east/west systems are anticipated in the future. From the grid operators'
view point the east/west orientated PV systems are favoured to south orientated ones, as the energy is fed-in
further regularly completely during the day, hence decreasing power peaks, therefore, easing the much load to
the grid. Up to now, it was believed that east/west orientated PV systems need separate inverters for each of
the orientation or at least one inverter.
4.2.2 Timing the Grid load to meet the Electricity Demand
PV production can similarly affect the grid based on the time of day electricity is been generated. Since the
number of installed systems (largest of it, are south oriented) raises, however, the grid load can be decreased
throughout the mid hours of the day. This appears in a more noticeable load peak of the late midday hours
whenever, insufficient of power generated through the solar exist, and power loads peak because of application
of appliances, lights, water heaters, air-conditioning systems and so on, in homes after work and during school
hours. It is through these periods, when PV energy generation seems not line up properly with peak electricity
demand which the utilities face a difficulty. By convention, the utilities ought to depend extra profoundly on the
spinning reserves from the plant to suffice the afternoon demands. To relieve the demand for high reserve
choices, utilities and power companies are seeing productive answers to help relieve midday peak loads of the
day. One of such answer is facing solar PV modules to the east/west so that they generate extra energy in the
midday through times of the peak load. To completely realize, how east/west orientation PV systems can aid
relieve peak electricity loads, the location of the panels installed enables east/west PV system orientation
energy generation and used to scrutinize how south can transform the current energy production. South-
orientation generates the most of the energy earlier in the day, whereas, the east-west-orientation peak
generation is converged later in the day, matching further nearly with peak electricity load throughout this
time.
However, for Stuttgart, the energy yields are less than the production of south oriented in Nicosia and
Maiduguri respectively, because of the position of the latitude to toward the Equator. The peak yields occurred
at the summertime in Nicosia while Maiduguri has the better energy yield through the season because of the
position of Maiduguri to the Equator that very is close to the Equator. While east/west oriented in Cyprus
would have peaked in June and July respectively. Nigeria at east-west orientation and Cyprus at south
orientation will produce high power during the remains of the day whenever required most of the services. It is
further impressive to transcribe how the grid load is changing, in this regards both residential, as well as
commercial appliances considerably, influence it. In this instance, monthly electric loads will peak if people
retired home after work. While south orientation PV systems generate highest overall electricity in the three
countries than east-west orientation, however, east/west oriented has good yields in some months.
Nevertheless, from a utility viewpoint, the influence of the declines in the overall PV generation of south
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2949]
orientation systems is expected to be exceeding than counterbalanced by the amount of the decrease in the
peak load.
From a PV system owners viewpoint, systems facing to the south have conventionally been favoured, as they
entirely produce the greatest overall power. Nevertheless, there exist differences of circumstances that
prescribe the orientation of ground mounting systems. Ordinarily, the site is a determining factor, as the
location will have a steward in which to install the PV modules. Whereas it is technically practicable to fit the
system any orientation despite the site design, the effects may not perpetually be aesthetically pleasant or
affordable for the users. If there is versatility to choose the preferred panel orientation, then it is plausible to
operate a PV generation simulation for the several instances and pick the option that generates the greatest
profit on investment. For instance, in areas with time-of-use prices that are above in the afternoon, south
oriented panels could end in higher profits, as electricity generated from solar succeeding in the day offsets
tremendous midday electric rates. In the whole area of research, east-west orientation systems generated more
than south-orientation in a certain month, especially during the summertime. There is a huge difference in
cloudy sky production between south oriented and east/west orientation PV systems in coastal areas like
Germany because of the restrained direct normal radiation.
4.2.3 Energy Production over Time
The results of the simulations show the corresponding variation in monthly PV energy generation between
east/west oriented and south oriented PV systems as it changes during the year. The total energy generation
was essential for south oriented systems throughout the year than except in some months during the summer
season. While the entire PV generation is regularly maximized with the south facing of ground mounting PV
systems, east/west oriented PV panel can optimize power generation to peak succeeding in the day when it is
oftentimes of extra advantage to utilities and coordinating authorities. Users should be cognizant of all the
choices and circumstance in all incentives when making choices concerning the installation of ground mounting
PV systems. Improving local photovoltaic (PV) usage can lessen energy transportation declines and relieve
overvoltage, as well as transformer overloading. Strategies so far examined and employed for this plan are load
shifting, the application of electricity storages, and the installation of east-west orientation instead of south-
orientation PV system.
4.3 Benefit of East/West Orientations
The advantages of east/west arrays are provisory on the consumption profile; it has very good yields in the
morning and evening, as shown the result. Many people have electricity profiles, which peak in the morning and
evening; as such, during the day they are busy at working place or school. In this case, most people are not free
to catch hold of any solar generation. Nevertheless, for several people, an east/west array will quiet not be
fitting as their demand usually will peak or raise at before 9 am and after 4 pm as well whenever there is small
solar radiation despite array orientation. During morning and the evening, the east oriented systems will be
generating at its highest output, while this will occur in the afternoon for the west array. Nevertheless,
East/West oriented perhaps possesses low or irradiation on the module when east alone is considered or west
orientation is considered alone. Moreover, East/West system with high tilt angle causes unwanted shading. Yet
100 tilt angle was the best as a result of mechanical and shading. Concerning Performance Ratio, as it was
anticipated the East/west system has a high pointer. It can be seen that the system with the East facing
performs good amid hot period, during April until October. The explanation behind this is the East-West facing
is fit to get immediate solar radiation throughout the day, notwithstanding whenever the sun is in the
North/East or North/West. In addition, besides, the power output profile of PV array is further optimal for
better performance of the inverter. It is very significant to mention that low-Performance Ratio is observed for
East/west oriented in the winter. Here the South oriented system indicate substantially more proportional
energy pick up from August until April. Therefore, it can be presumed that in spite of the desires, the capacity of
the East/west system to absorb better diffuse irradiation
4.3.1 Comparing the East-West Array to the South Array
In terms of energy production profile, both orientations have shown some advantages as well as some
drawbacks. The south orientation as shown from the result analysed has delivered a very high specific
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2950]
production. The east/west array is completely not capable to generate the equivalent quantity of power as that
of the south oriented, and the variation in production time is not important adequately to make it financially
feasible. In conclusion, the simulations carried out using Sunny web design shows that south oriented arrays
perform better than east-west oriented arrays. Designing for east/west oriented array may be advantageous for
quite specific consumption profiles; though in the preponderance of incidents morning and evening thereby,
decreasing the midday peak in the grid and the consumption maximum peaks happen outside the times of solar
production for an arrangement in any orientation. These results, nonetheless, do explain that there is quite an
important interest of installing an array homogeneous if it is not conceivable to install it on a south oriented
semblance.
4.3.2 Advantages of East/West Orientation in Terms of Land Utilization
The main advantage of using east/west oriented PV system in terms of land utilization is the rational use of
space occupied. Even though, from the result analysed in this study the east/west oriented generated 10-20
percent less energy per installed Wp as compared with south oriented systems. Perhaps east/west not only
occupied a less or small land area and it also does not create a self-shading.
Nevertheless, another advantage of using east/west oriented is that it has a better ability in observing the
diffuse radiation. In conclusion, when all the stated advantages put together with appropriate plan can make
the east/west orientation even better in terms of cost-effectiveness.
V. CONCLUSION
Having carried out the PV orientation using Sunny Web design, the comparison of the south oriented versus
E/W oriented PV system of Northern Cyprus, Nigeria and Germany were performed. The annual energy yields,
the specific energy yields and the performance ratio were obtained and analysed. Initially, there is a common
believed among the users of PV modules, that south oriented is the best. Moreover, some see it, as the only
means to get reasonable energy yields or the optimal orientation of solar PV panels in the Northern
Hemisphere is believed to be south-oriented all the time to make the most of electricity generation over the
lifespan of the systems. Nevertheless, there has been an argument, and despite incentives being given, for facing
PV systems E/W. This thesis proves the idea that both south oriented, as well as E/W oriented PV systems
when installed, will meet our energy demand.
In conclusion, for Cyprus, the south oriented PV systems at 300 tilt angle has the highest annual energy yields
(5230 kWh) when compared with E/W oriented system. The energy yields of E/W at 350 is 4328 kWh, 300 is
4432 kWh, 250 is 4541 kWh, 200 is 4632 kWh, 150 is 4695 kWh and 100 is 4750 kWh which are lower than
south oriented system at 300 (which has energy yields of 5230 kWh). When the three countries are considered,
Cyprus has less PV solar energy then Nigeria however, Cyprus is better than Germany.
For Germany, the south oriented at 450 has annual energy yields of 3268 kWh which is better than the E/W
oriented at 450 which is 2528 kWh, 400 is 2598 kWh, 350 is 2660 kWh, 300 is 2718 kWh, 250 is 2768 kWh and
200 is 2812 kWh respectively. However, Germany has less solar PV potential than Nigeria and Cyprus.
Nigeria for example, from January to March and from September to December, the south oriented has the
highest the annual energy yields when compared with E/W oriented irrespective of the tilt angles. However in
Nigeria, from April to August the E/W oriented have the highest yields depending on the tilt angles used.
Nevertheless, when E/W oriented is considered, the best tilt angles are 50 (5600 kWh) and 100 (557 kWh),
which are better than 150 (5494 kWh), 200 (5391 kWh), 250 (5270 kWh), and 300 (5128 kWh) respectively. In
terms of annual energy yields in Nigeria, south oriented is better than E/W oriented. Nigeria has the best PV
solar potential than Cyprus and Germany respectively. In addition, to completely realize, how E/W oriented PV
systems can aid in relieving the peak electricity loads, the location of the panels installed enables E/W oriented
system energy generation and use to scrutinize how south oriented systems can transform the present energy
production. South-orientation generates the most energy earlier in the day, while peak generation of E/W
oriented is converged later in the day, matching further closely with peak electricity load throughout this time.
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2951]
VI. RECOMMENDATION
It has been recommended based on this research, that when using E/W oriented system the users should take
tilt angle that is closer to the latitude of the location where the PV modules can be installs. In addition, the
closer the latitude of the location to the equator, the higher the energy yields of the location.
In future research, the following ideas can be proposed, since the work only covered the south oriented versus
E/W oriented systems, the work can try other locations to see the energy yields of the two orientations. The
analysis can also be carried out using different Simulation tools like HOMER, TRNSYS or PVsyst etc. that were
not mentioned in this research.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which is administered by the Nigerian government, is
acknowledged by the authors. The authors further thank all the participants for their complete collaboration. I
want to thank everyone who helped make this research a reality and a success. The authors also thank Kebbi
State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, for helping to support their work by providing a safe
environment for researchers to demonstrate their expertise.
Author Contributions: Conceptualization Engr. Abba Muhammad Adua; methodology: software, validation,
formal analysis, investigation, data curation, and writing—original draft preparation, Engr. Abba Muhammad
Adua and Bashar Yahaya Sanda; Reviewing and editing, Engr. Abba Muhammad Adua; visualization : Abba
Muhammad Adua and Bashar Yahaya Sanda, Abuabakar Sadiq and Jamilu Musa. All authors have read and
agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship,
and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFund
through Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero.
Data Availability Statement: All data are contained within this article.
Conflicts of Interest: The author(s) declare no potential conflict of interest with respect to the research,
authorship, and/or publication of this article.
VII. REFERENCES
[1] Alkan, S., & Ates, Y. (2023). Pilot Scheme Conceptual Analysis of Rooftop East–West-Oriented Solar
Energy System with Optimizer. Energies, 16(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/en16052396
[2] Arici,E. Meissner,D. Schäffler, F. Sariciftci, N.S. (2003). International Journals Photoenergy, 5, pp.199.
[3] Azaioud, H., Desmet, J., & Vandevelde, L. (2020). Benefit evaluation of PV orientation for individual
residential consumers. Energies, 13(19), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13195122
[4] Balta, M. T. (2012). Exergetic cost analysis and sustainability assessment of various slow exergy
heating systems. Energy Build, 55, pp.721–7.
[5] Brecl, K. and Topic, M. (2011) Self-shading losses of fixed free-standing PV arrays.Renewable Energy,
36, pp. 3211-3216.
[6] Chaurey, A, Kandpal, T. C. (2010). A techno-economic comparison of rural electrification based on solar
home systems and PV microgrids. Energy Policy, 38, pp. 3118–29.
[7] Cui, G., Ren, S., Zhang, L., Ezekiel, J., Enechukwu, C., Wang, Y., & Zhang, R. (2017). Geothermal
exploitation from hot dry rocks via recycling heat transmission fl uid in a horizontal well. Energy, 128,
366–377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2017.04.027
[8] Damian, W. Christian, W., Thomas S. (2011).Impact of Temperature on the Resistive Switching:
Behavior of Embedded HfO2-Based RRAM Devices.IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, 58(9), pp.
3124-3131.
[9] Dhimish, M., Mather, P., Holmes, V., & Sibley, M. (2019). This is a repository copy of CDF modelling for
the optimum tilt and azimuth angle for PV installations : case study based on 26 different locations in
region of the Yorkshire UK . White Rose Research Online URL for this paper : Version : Accepted
Version .
[10] Farzaneh, M., Marzieh, K., & Yazdi, G. (2021). Design optimization of utility-scale PV power plant. 282,
27–28.
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2952]
[11] Frederik C. K., Markus H., Michael C., Ro th B., Morten V. M., Sure n A. G., Roar R. S., Dieter K. and
Mikkel J. (2013). Energy Technology. Available at:
https://www.scribd.com/document/262929272/Krebs-Et-Al-2013-Energy-Technology[Accessed
10July, 2017].
[12] George, M., Bastian, Z., Matthew, N. George, E. Georghiou, M. Schubert, J. and Werner, H.
(2010).Potential of photovoltaic systems in countries with high solar irradiation.Renewable and
Sustainable Energy,14, pp. 754–762.
[13] Green, M. A. (2002). Third generation photovoltaic: solar cells for 2020 and beyond.Physical E. Low-
dimensional Systems and Nanostructures, 14, pp.65-70.
[14] Green, M.A. (1987).High Efficiency Silicon Solar Cells: Switzerland, Trans. Tech. Publications
[15] Hannes, K. (1999). Analysis simulation and evaluation of maximum power point tracking (MPPT)
methods for a solar powered vehicle: Master thesis submitted to department of Electrical and
Computer Engineering Portland State University.
[16] Horvat, M., Dubois, M. C., Snow, M. and Wall, M. (2011). Solar Energy and Architecture (eds.),IEA Task
4.1
[17] Janke, J. R. (2010). Multicriteria GIS modelling of wind and solar farms in Colorado.Renewable Energy,
35(10), pp. 2228- 2234.
[18] Jong, P. K., et al. (2011). Numerical analysis on the thermal characteristics of photovoltaic module with
ambient temperature variation.Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 95(2011), pp.404–407.
[19] Jyoti Saharia, B., Brahma, H., & Sarmah, N. (2018). A review of algorithms for control and optimization
for energy management of hybrid renewable energy systems. Journal of Renewable and Sustainable
Energy, 10(5). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5032146
[20] Komor, P. (2009). Wind and Solar Electricity : Challenges and Opportunities. The Pew Center on Global
Climate Change, June.
[21] Lahnaoui, A., Stenzel, P., & Linssen, J. (2017). Tilt Angle and Orientation Impact on the Techno-
economic Performance of Photovoltaic Battery Systems. Energy Procedia, 105, 4312–4320.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.03.903
[22] Meck, R. (2015).Calculating Tilted Array Spacing.Affordable Solar.Available at:http://www.affordable-
solar.com/LearningCenter/BuildingaSystem/Calculating Tilted-Array-Spacing[Accessed27April 2017].
[23] Mertens, K. and G. Roth G. (2014).Photovoltaics: fundamentals, technology, and practice.England:
Wiley, Chichester Online Resource.
[24] M, S. M. E., Kalam, M. A., Usman, S. M., Asif, A., R, B. N., Naveed, A., D, M. S., & Ahamed, S. C. (2020).
Thermal analyses of minichannels and use of mathematical and numerical Numerical Heat Transfer ,
Part A : Applications Thermal analyses of minichannels and use of mathematical and numerical models.
Numerical Heat Transfer, Part A: Applications, 0(0), 1–41.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10407782.2019.1701883
[25] Rahkar Farshi, T. (2021). Battle royale optimization algorithm. Neural Computing and Applications,
33(4), 1139–1157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00521-020-05004-4
[26] Reagan, J., & Kurtz, S. (2022). Energetic Comparison of Vertical Bifacial to Tilted Monofacial Solar. IEEE
Journal of Photovoltaics, 12(6), 1334–1340. https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2022.3211650
[27] Shahzad, S., Abbasi, M. A., Ali, H., Iqbal, M., Munir, R., & Kilic, H. (2023). Possibilities, Challenges, and
Future Opportunities of Microgrids: A Review. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(8).
https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086366
[28] Shayeghi, H., Rahnama, A., Mohajery, R., Bizon, N., & Mazare, A. G. (2022). Multi-Area Microgrid Load-
Frequency Control Using Combined Fractional and Integer Order Master – Slave Controller Considering
Electric Vehicle Aggregator Effects. Electronics Article, 11(21), 3440.
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/ electronics11213440
[29] Trackers, M. P. P., Point, M. P., & Tracker, M. P. P. (2011). Efficient East-West Orientated Pv Systems
With One Mpp Tracker. 1–7.
[30] van Aken, B., Binani, A., & Cesar, K. (2021). Towards nature inclusive east-west orientated solar parks.
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:08/August-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science
[2953]
September.
[31] Velik, R. (2013a). Battery storage versus neighbourhood energy exchange to maximize local
photovoltaics energy consumption in grid-connected residential neighbourhoods. International Journal
of Advanced Renewable Energy Research, 2(May). Velik 2013 - Battery storage versus neighbourhood
energy.pdf
[32] Velik, R. (2013b). The influence of battery storage size on photovoltaics energy self-consumption for
grid-connected residential buildings. International Journal of Advanced Renewable Energy Research,
2(6). Velik 2013 - The influence of battery storage.pdf
[33] Velik, R. (2014a). East-south-west orientation of PV systems and neighbourhood energy exchange to
maximize local photovoltaics energy consumption. International Journal of Renewable Energy
Research, 4(3), 566–570.
[34] Velik, R. (2014b). Renewable Energy Self-Consumption versus Financial Gain Maximization Strategies
in Grid-Connected Residential Buildings in a Variable Grid Price Scenario. International Journal of
Advanced Renewable Energy Research, 2(2), 785–792. Velik 2014 - Renewable Energy Self-
Consumption versus Financial.pdf
[35] World Energy Council. (2017). World Energy Issues Monitor. 72. https://www.worldenergy.org/wp-
content/uploads/2017/04/1.-World-Energy-Issues-Monitor-2017-Full-Report.pdf
[36] Zhao, H, Guo, S. (2014). Full Review on the cost sand benefits of renewable energy power subsidy in
China. RenewSustainEnergyReviews,2014(37), pp. 538–49. Available at:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser [Accessed 22 Oct. 2017].
[37] Zhu, J., Yuan, Y., & Wang, W. (2019). Multi-stage active management of renewable-rich power
distribution network to promote the renewable energy consumption and mitigate the system
uncertainty. International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, 111(December 2018), 436–
446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2019.04.028