Seasonal Analysis of PV Performance: Optimizing Fixed Panel Angles for Maximum Efficiency

Renewable The growing global energy demand, coupled with the need to mitigate environmental impact, highlights the importance of sustainable and clean energy sources. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have become increasingly popular for their ability to provide cost-effective, renewable energy. One critical factor influencing PV performance is the panel's tilt angle, especially in small-scale installations where most systems use fixed angles. As the sun's zenith angle changes throughout the year, the optimal panel angle for maximum energy production also fluctuates. Maximum yield is achieved when sunlight strikes the panel at a right angle. This investigation, conducted on the rooftop of the University of Technology Bahrain, examined the seasonal performance of four sets of monocrystalline PV panels, each with a capacity of 7.8 kW, mounted at angles of <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$14^{\circ}, 20^{\circ}, 26^{\circ}$</tex>, and 32°. The results show that during the winter months (November to February), the 32° panel produced the highest energy yield, while in the summer (May to July), the 14° panel delivered the most energy. The 26° and 20° panels performed best in the transitional months of spring and autumn. Overall, considering total energy production over the full year, the panel set at a 26° angle achieved the highest cumulative energy yield, making it the optimal fixed angle for year-round performance.