Renewable Energy

Manuscript Draft

Manuscript Number: RENE-D-20-01126

Title: Estimating the Optimum Tilt Angles for All Emirates for Surfaces
Facing South in United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Article Type: VSI:SEEP2019

Keywords: Optimum tilt angle, PV Solar, Photovoltaic, Solar Radiation,

PVGIS, PVWatts, UAE.

Abstract: Many of solar PV panels and solar thermal collectors used as

renewable energy applications, the optimum tilt angle of these
applications are crucial to consider for factors that influence the
performance. In this research paper, a MATLAB program is used to build
mathematical model for estimating the optimum tilting angle and the solar
radiation falling on a surface facing south on a daily, monthly,
seasonally, semi-annually and annually basis. PVGIS and PVWatts are also
used to find the optimum tilting angles and their results approximately
the same of the mathematical model. A mono-crystalline module with 5 kWP
of peak power is used as a case study and the results reveal that monthly
variation of the tilt angle for all emirates of the UAE can produce about
15 % more solar energy compared to horizontal solar panels. However,
seasonally and semi-annually adjustments could produce nearly 14% more
energy i.e. that it is deserve to change the solar panels at least 2
times in a year (semi-annually). It worth to mention that the yearly
fixed optimum angle 23° for UAE gives about 8% energy gain higher than
solar panel fixed horizontally.
Title Page

Estimating the Optimum Tilt Angles for All Emirates for Surfaces Facing
South in United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Ramez Abdallah1, Adel Juaidi1,* , Tareq Salameh2
1
Mechanical Engineering Department- Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology.An-Najah National
University, P.O. Box 7,Nablus, Palestine. E-mail: ramezkhaldi@najah.edu, E-mail: adel@najah.edu
2
Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering Department. University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272.Sharjah, United
Arab Emirates. E-mail: tsalameh@sharjah.ac.ae
*
Corresponding Author: Adel Juaidi, E-mail: adel@najah.edu

Abstract:
Many of solar PV panels and solar thermal collectors used as renewable energy applications, the
optimum tilt angle of these applications are crucial to consider for factors that influence the
performance. In this research paper, a MATLAB program is used to build mathematical model for
estimating the optimum tilting angle and the solar radiation falling on a surface facing south on a
daily, monthly, seasonally, semi-annually and annually basis for all emirates in United Arab
Emirates (UAE). PVGIS and PVWatts programs are also used to find the optimum tilting angles
and their results approximately the same of the mathematical model. A mono-crystalline module
with 5 kWP of peak power is used as a case study and the results reveal that monthly variation of
the tilt angle for all emirates of the UAE can produce about 15 % more solar energy compared to
horizontal solar panels. However, seasonally and semi-annually adjustments could produce nearly
14% more energy i.e. that it is deserve to change the solar panels at least 2 times in a year (semi-
annually). It worth to mention that the yearly fixed optimum angle 23° for UAE gives about 8%
energy gain higher than solar panel fixed horizontally.
Keywords: Optimum tilt angle, PV Solar, Photovoltaic, Solar Radiation, PVGIS, PVWatts, UAE.
Graphical Abstract

Graphical Abstract
*Highlights

Highlights

 A mathematical model for estimating the optimum tilting angle in United Arab Emirates
(UAE) was developed by using a MATLAB program.
 PVGIS and PVWatts programs are also used to find the optimum tilting angles and
monthly average radiation in UAE.
 A mono-crystalline module with 5 kWP of peak power is used as a case study
 Seasonally and semi-annually adjustments could produce nearly 14% more energy than
horizontal solar panels.
*Manuscript
Click here to view linked References

1 Estimating the Optimum Tilt Angles for All Emirates for Surfaces Facing
2 South in United Arab Emirates (UAE)
3 Ramez Abdallah1, Adel Juaidi1,* , Tareq Salameh2

4 1
Mechanical Engineering Department- Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology.An-Najah National
5 University, P.O. Box 7,Nablus, Palestine. E-mail: ramezkhaldi@najah.edu, E-mail: adel@najah.edu

6 2
Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering Department. University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272.Sharjah, United
7 Arab Emirates. E-mail: tsalameh@sharjah.ac.ae
*
8 Corresponding Author: Adel Juaidi, E-mail: adel@najah.edu

9 Abstract:
10 Many of solar PV panels and solar thermal collectors used as renewable energy applications, the
11 optimum tilt angle of these applications are crucial to consider for factors that influence the
12 performance. In this research paper, a MATLAB program is used to build mathematical model for
13 estimating the optimum tilting angle and the solar radiation falling on a surface facing south on a
14 daily, monthly, seasonally, semi-annually and annually basis for all emirates in United Arab
15 Emirates (UAE). PVGIS and PVWatts programs are also used to find the optimum tilting angles
16 and their results approximately the same of the mathematical model. A mono-crystalline module
17 with 5 kWP of peak power is used as a case study and the results reveal that monthly variation of
18 the tilt angle for all emirates of the UAE can produce about 15 % more solar energy compared to
19 horizontal solar panels. However, seasonally and semi-annually adjustments could produce nearly
20 14% more energy i.e. that it is deserve to change the solar panels at least 2 times in a year (semi-
21 annually). It worth to mention that the yearly fixed optimum angle 23° for UAE gives about 8%
22 energy gain higher than solar panel fixed horizontally.
23 Keywords: Optimum tilt angle, PV Solar, Photovoltaic, Solar Radiation, PVGIS, PVWatts, UAE.
24

25 1. Introduction
26 Renewable energy sources in the next decade have been found to be promising sources of energy
27 to build a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy economy [1-3]. Solar energy plays a
28 key role as a green sustainable type of energy in the future [4].
29 The solar energy is the best type of renewable energy in world and it could be the only source of
30 renewable energy in most countries of the Middle East. Solar energy could be utilized directly for
31 heating water as in the solar collectors or could be converted to electricity as in the solar panels
32 [5]. In the UAE as in most of the Middle East countries solar energy is believed to be the best kind
33 of clean energy with high potential in the near future for using it to supply energy demands
34 particularly in remote locations [6]. The UAE is located in the Arab Gulf between (22.5 ° to 26 °)
35 north latitude and (51 ° to 56 °) east longitude. The net area of the UAE is nearly 85,000 km2 and
36 its climate is semi-arid with and low rainfall [6]. Many previous studies derived mathematical
37 formulas to estimate the optimum titling angle for different locations based on earth-sun geometry
38 [7-14]. Some of the researchers have obtained linear equations of optimum tilting angle function

1
39 of the latitude [11,12]. On the other hand, optimum tilting angles don't depend only on latitude of
40 the location but also depend on several factors such as climatic situation and cloudiness [8] and
41 the altitude of the location from the sea level [13]. Since it not easy to calculate the optimum tilting
42 angle taking into a count the climatic situation and cloudiness, many researchers use calculators
43 such as PVGIS and PVWatts [15,16] to estimate the optimum tilting angles for a specific location
44 [13]. Besides the tilting angle, there are various considerations that influence the efficiency of the
45 solar panels for instance the ambient temperature, cell temperature, dust effects, etc. [17]. Accurate
46 assessments of solar resources are required for various applications using solar energy [18]. The
47 tilting angle is a crucial parameter for the installation of fixed- panels, as the performance of the
48 PV panel enhances with rising exposure to direct radiation of the sun. Energy modelers do require
49 the optimum tilting angle of the panel for estimating the PV production at a given place [19].
50 Between (1900 kWh / m2) and (2300 kWh / m2), the UAE has an average Global Horizontal
51 Irradiance (GHI) [20,21]. The large GHI magnitudes make UAE an ideal location for the execution
52 of solar energy installations, in particular PV technology, in which GHI is far higher than the
53 required threshold of (1600 kWh / m2) [22]. The efficiency of the PV is strongly affected by its
54 orientation and horizontal tilting angle, as each of the two affect the quantity of radiation falling
55 on the PV panel [23].
56 2. Literature Review
57 To make appropriate site selections and achievement sustainable development by elective solar
58 radiation site, most of researchers use models based on simulation of basic equations [24]. The
59 most important elements which influence the efficiency of any solar energy applications are
60 orientation and tilt angle. In some cases, the adjustment ideal orientation and tilting angle for any
61 solar PV and solar thermal collector performs under some limitation [25].
62 The study which done by Khalil and Alnajjar [26] is an example for examination of global, beam
63 and diffuse radiation in Al-Ain, UAE on tilted surface using clear sky model. The yearly optimum
64 tilting angle is about 24 ° for Al-Ain [26] was proposed. Table 1 shows the optimal tilting angle
65 for several countries all over the world.
66 Table 1: Optimum tilt angles for different countries worldwide.
67
68
69
70
71
72
73

2
74

Annually Optimum tilt Latitude Reference / Year /

Angle ( Degree) Description / Module Location
(Degree)
28.5° 31.7° - Developed mathematical model to calculate the optimum tilting angles. [40] /
- Monthly optimum tilting angles give better efficiency. 1988 /
- varying of the tilt angles two times per year enhances the efficiency by 50% Jordan
compared to horizontal surface. (Karak, Mu'tah
- Negative tilting angle is worth to be design for latitude between -25 ° to +25 °. University)

βoptimum = (φ+ 15) ±15 Maximum yearly incident solar energy falls on PV modules occurs at yearly [47] /
° optimal tilting angles obtained by βoptimum = (φ+ 15) ±15 ° 1991

27° 27.2° - Estimate total radiation and daily optimum tilting angle in Assiut (Egypt) by [34] /
mathematical model. 1994 /
- The radiation collected by a surface inclined by the optimum tilting angle is Assiut- Egypt
6.85% higher than the latitude of Assiut (27°).
31° 28.5° -The radiation collected by a surface tilting by a monthly optimum tilting angles [35] /
are 6% greater than the surface using a yearly optimum tilt angle. 1999 /
Valencia, Spain.
3.3° 4.5 ° - The optimum tilt angle and orientation were determined by mathematical model. [36] /
- The surface yearly optimum tilt angle receive 5% higher in solar radiation than 2001 /
a horizontal surface. Brunei, Darussalam
39.2°, 27.9°, 28°, 22°, 39.9°, - Estimate the optimum tilting angles for the whole year in 8 cities by [37] & [41] /
24.9°,
23°, 30.1°, 38.3°, 40.3° mathematical model [37]. 2004 & 2017 /
31.2°,
& 23.1°, China (Beijing,
30.6°, Kunming, Shanghai,

3
 18.1º (June) to 49.9º 34.3°, - Harmony search meta-heuristic algorithm was used to determine the optimum Guangzhou, Chengdu,
(Dec.), 7.6º (June) to 38.5°,
tilt and azimuth angle for several cities in China by conducting firstly ergodic Xi’an, Yinchuang and
61.4º (Dec.), 5.5º (June) 41.8°
to 64.3º (Dec.), 12.6º & method [41]. Shenyang)
(June) to 73.7º (Dec.), -11.5°, - The optimum tilting angle of the surface should be adjusted monthly. &
16.6º (June) to 80.0º 31.2°, (Sanya, Shanghai,
(Dec.), 8.9º (June) to 34.7°, Zhengzhou, Harbin,
59.9º (Dec.) Summer: 45.8°,
Decreases, Winter: 52.9°, Mohe and Lhasa)
Increases / 29.7°
The above results based
ergodic method
, In June: 0°, in 38.4° - All monthly, seasonally, and annually optimum tilting angles were estimated by [38] /
December: 61° mathematical model. 2006 /
Turkey (Izmir)
30.56° 33.5º - A mathematical model was used to calculate the optimal tilting angles for several [27] /
Syrian cities. 2009 /
Syria (Damascus)
β Opt = φ − (26°,27°,28°) 36° to 46° - A relationship between the latitude from 36° to 46° and optimum tilting angles [45] /
of PV panels were proposed. 2009 /
USA and Europe
40° (January), 10° (June), 24.5° - The yearly optimal tilting angle is approximately equal to the latitude of the city [43] /
40° (December), was the main conclusion. 2011 /
37° (Winter), 12° Madinah, Saudi Arabia
(Summer);,17° (Spring),
28° (Autumn), 23.5°
(Yearly)
The 19° azimuth angle 37.1° - The 19° azimuth angle closer to vertical for manually azimuth tracking solar [25] /
closer to vertical for PV panel facing south is better optimum tilt angle than fixed panel. 2011 /

4
 manually azimuth United States
tracking solar PV panel
facing south is better
optimum tilt angle than
fixed panel.
Equal to latitude (Yearly) - The optimum tilting angle and azimuth were evaluated for two sites based on [44] /
/ 51.3° hourly basis and slightly difference between the outputs of two locations that are 2011 /
maximizing angle combinations. Canada (Ontario)
Usually 15° less than the 33.5°, - The radiation on inclined surface depending on the tilt angle was estimated by a [39] /
latitude and greater than 33.9°, mathematical model and compared with the actual optimal tilting angles. 2013 /
the latitude in summer 33.9°, - The results showed that a decrease in the yearly radiation by 0.016% only. Mediterranean Region
and winter months 37.4°, (Palestine and Gaza
respectively 45.5° Strip, Syria
33.7 °, 33.8°, 35.2°, (Damascus), Lebanon
36.6°, 41.8° (Beirut), Tunisia
(Tunis), Spain (Seville)
and Italy (Milan)
−9° (June), December 24.5° - Both optimal tilting angle and orientation were obtained in Abu Dhabi, United [42] /
52° (December) Arab Emirates (UAE). 2013 /
- The optimal tilting angle needs to adjust minimum twice per year. UAE (Abu Dhabi)
26°N (Yearly) 27.5° - The optimal tilting angles and orientations were estimated by mathematical [46] /
model in Brisbane. 2013 /
Australia (Brisbane)
30°, Summer: 10°, 32.5° -The optimal tilting angle was estimated based on the results of the PVsyst [28] /
Winter: 50° software simulation for northern part of Jordan. 2014 /
Northern Jordan

5
 30° - 45° 47.5º and - By changing the location latitude , the optimum tilt angle vary between 30° and [29] / 2015 /
51.2º 45°. Austria and Germany
35.7°, 32°, 29.4°, 36.2°, 35.7º, 36.5 - All daily, monthly, seasonally, and annually optimal tilting angles were [30] & [33] /
38° º, 29.6 º, calculated for five locations in Iran [30], and monthly, seasonally, and annually 2015 & 2011 /
& 36.3 º, optimal tilt angle for latitudes of 20° to 40° (sex cities) North were calculated [33] Iran (Tehran, Isfahan,
26.70°, 29.93°, 25.88° , 38.1 º - The monthly optimal tilting angle was calculated by developing new correlation. Shiraz, Mashhad and
30.16°, 29.05°, 23.95° & Tabriz)
29.5°, &
32.9°, (Zahedan, Birjand,
52.9°, Shraz, Tabas, Yazd and
33.6°, Kerman)
31.9°,
36.7°
34.7˚, Summer: 8.9˚, Spring: 42.7º -The mathematical model is utilized to determine the solar radiation received the incident plane [31] /
25.7˚, Autumn: 50.9˚, Winter: for north east part of Kosovo (42.65˚ N, 21.15˚ E and 573 m a.s.l.) which has humid continental 2017 /
62.1 ° climate with maritime influences Kosovo (Pristina)
37°, 33°, 32°, 20°, 24°, 45.5°, - Performed the optimal tilting angles for several capital cities in the world. [19] /
34°, 36°, 28°, 34°, 28°, 44.8°, 2018 /
28°, 28°, 26°, 28°, 31°, 50.9°, All Countries
24°, 25° 22.4°, Worldwide
42.1°, Canada (Montreal),
France (Bordeaux ),
50.9°,
Germany (Cologne),
39.1°, Hong Kong, India
30.3°, (Rajko), Netherlands
51.5°, (Beek), Spain
31.8°, (Castellón), United
States (Austin, TX),
33.6°, United Kingdom

6
 33.9°, (London), Palestine
(Jerusalem), Morocco
29.3°,
(Casablanca), Lebanon
31.9°, (Beirut), Kuwait
35.68º, (Kuwait City), Jordan
24.1°, (Amman), Iran
24.5° (Tehran), Egypt
(Aswan) and United
Arab Emirates (Abu
Dhabi)
28° - 30°, Summer: 20°, 35.1º -The ideal tilt angles for photovoltaic (PV) Panels in Famagusta was assessed. [32] /
Winter: 50° 2019 /
Famagusta- Cyprus
75
76
77

7
 78

79 3. Methodology
80 3.1. Mathematical Model
81 The solar radiation gained by any surface depends on its tilt angle (β). Solar applications such as a solar PV panel
82 or a solar thermal collector are used in locations rich with solar radiation. For the purpose of boosting the average
83 solar radiation collected, the angle β, which is the angle between any tilted surface and the horizon, should be
84 optimized. The angle β for any location can be estimated based on solar angles. It should be noted that these
85 angles are described before estimating the solar radiation. The main solar angles have been shown in Figures 1.

86
87 Figure 1. The main solar angles for a surface on any location of the earth.
88 The declination angle (δ) is the angle confined between the line between the line passing through the center of
89 the sun and the center of the earth and the equatorial plane. It's value is change from day-to-day from - 23.45
90 and 23.45 and can be estimated using the following equation:
360
91 δ = −23.45 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ((𝑛 + 10.5) 365) (1)

92 n = day's number; for example, n = 1 for first of January.

8
 93 While the latitude angle (∅) is the angle confined between the line connecting a particular point at surface of the
94 earth and the center of earth and the equatorial plane. It is noteworthy that the point located at the northern
95 hemisphere has a positive latitude but the point located at the southern hemisphere has a negative latitude.
96 For time variation both hour angle (h) and altitude angle (α) are used. The hour angle (h) is the angle by which
97 the earth will spin to put the meridian of the point exactly below the sun.
98 Whereas altitude angle (α) is the angle confined between the sun's rays and the horizon. Consequently, at the
99 sunrise (hs) and sunset (hs) the latitude angle would be zero. (α) can be determined by [40]:
100 sin α = sin δ sin ∅ + cos δ cos h cos ∅ (2)
101 Putting α= 0 into equation (2) to get:
102 hs = cos −1[− tan(∅) tan(δ)] (3)
103 The total radiation at the earth's surface coming from the sun can be divided into three main parts: direct, diffused,
104 and reflected radiations. To begin, direct radiation is affected by the amount of water vapor, atmospheric thickness
105 and the air emission concentration. After that, the diffused radiation is all radiation reaches the earth's surface from
106 the sky but the direct radiation. Consequently, diffused radiation is difficult to estimate because it highly affected
107 by the cloudiness which is highly variable as well the atmospheric clearness. Lastly, the reflected radiation is the
108 often neglected since it must be separately estimated reflected radiation from streets, vehicles, buildings and
109 ground. The (ASHRAE Standard Atmosphere) is assumed in this research. By this assumption the solar radiation
110 will be overvalued. However, the objective of the mathematical model suggested in the present work is to calculate
111 the optimum tilt angle instead of the solar radiation. The radiation estimated by ‘‘ASHRAE standard atmosphere”
112 assumption will be greater than the real radiation, but the optimum tilt angles that produce the maximum radiation
113 will have the same value. At the end, the results obtained the present work would be compared with previous
114 published articles.
115 The total extra-terrestrial radiation that falling on surface tilted by an angle β in a particular day and facing south
116 is [17]:
24 2πn
117 Id = π Io [1 + 0.034 cos ( 365 )] × [cos(ϕ − β) cos(δ) sin(hs ) + hs sin(ϕ − β) sin(δ)] (4)
118 The total extra-terrestrial radiation Id obtained from Equation (4) must be derived with respect to (β) and the result
119 equalized to zero, i.e. dId/dβ=0.0 to find the daily optimum tilt angle (βop,d):
hs
120 βop,d = ϕ − tan−1 [sin(hs) tan(δ)] (5)
121 It is not workable to vary the tilt angle daily. But, it could be more realistic to vary it monthly, seasonally, semi-
122 annually and annually. The following formula will be utilized to estimate the total radiation for a particular period:
n=n
123 Ip = ∑n=n21 Id (6)
124 Where p is The period in which the total radiation is estimated, n1 and n2 are the number of the days at the beginning
125 and ending of the particular period. Ip from Equation (6) must be must be derived with respect to (β) and the result
126 equalized to zero, i.e. dIp/dβ=0.0 to obtain the optimum tilt angle (βop,p) for a specific period (starting at n1 and
127 ending at n2):
n=n 24 2πn
∑n=n2 I [1+0.034 cos( )] sin(δ)hs
1π o
128 βop,p = ϕ − tan−1 [ n=n2 24 2πn
365
] (7)
∑n=n I [1+0.034 cos( )] cos(δ) sin(hs)
1π o 365

129 A MATLAB program was developed to estimate the optimum tilt angle and extra-terrestrial radiation for each
130 specific period using Equations (1) – (7). The specific period that would be adopted in this work is the daily,
131 monthly, seasonally, semi-annually and annually.
132 3.2. PVGIS and PVWatts programs

9
133 The optimum tilt angle is calculated using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) PVWatts program
134 (NREL, 2017) [15] and PVGIS [16] and compared with results obtained by the optimum tilt angle calculated in
135 the previous mathematical model. PVWatts is a calculator available online that provides the radiation and the
136 energy production of the PV utilizing data from earth station for certain locations in most countries of the world.
137 The PVGIS provides the radiation and the energy production of the PV utilizing radiation data generated from
138 the satellite images. For the present edition of PVGIS employed in this work, the satellite data utilized for the
139 solar radiation calculations are from the METEOSAT satellites including Europe, Africa and most of Asia. On the
140 basis of satellite images, these images are caught each 15 minutes or 30 minutes [16]. Using PVGIS, one image
141 per hour was used; this implies that PVGIS may be utilized for any place no matter how far from a particular
142 Meteorological Station.
143 PVWatts and PVGIS are employed to estimate the optimum tilt angle on daily, monthly, seasonally, semi-annually
144 and annually basis. Moreover, PVWatts and PVGIS are applied to estimate the solar radiation received by a surface
145 at different tilt angles. Lastly, a case study of 5 kWp of peak power is applied to indicate the significance of the
146 optimum tilt angles.

147 4. Results and discussion

148 Calculating the tilting angle of solar thermal collector or PV is relatively important when the solar system is
149 implemented. The optimal angle of the execution should be defined as the background for the best productivity
150 of the PV panels. On the other hand, some panels are installed on the best wintry, summery, monthly, daily, or
151 yearly angle. The panels are installed on the best wintry tilt angle in systems that are not connecting with the grid
152 (off grid) and have high energy consumption during the winter, such as: Street lighting, heating systems, and solar
153 pumps applications.
154 The panels are installed on the best summery angle in systems that are not connect with the grid (off grid) and
155 have high energy consumption during the summer with an abundance of electricity in the winter, such as: solar
156 systems in resorts and houses that need to be conditioned during the summer, the summer load is much larger
157 than the winter load in the UAE due to its location as hot and humid climate country. The panels are installed on
158 the best yearly angle, such as the systems that are connected to the grid and the hybrid systems where there is an
159 alternative source of electricity.
160 Finally, it is clear that the optimum tilting angle of solar system changes with application, system and nature of
161 use. So it is necessary to obtain daily, monthly, seasonally, semi-annually and annually optimum angle.
162 4.1. Mathematical model results
163 4.1.1. Daily optimum tilt angle
164 Daily optimum tilt angle (βopt,d) and the daily total extra-terrestrial radiation for all emirates of the UAE are
165 calculated by MATLAB program using equations (1) - (5). The results for (βopt,d) for all emirates of the UAE are
166 put in Table (1) and showed in Figure (2). It can be concluded that as the latitude of the emirate is increased (βopt,d)
167 for this emirates is increased. It can be shown from Figure (2) that (βopt,d) is changed with the number of the day N
168 and it has the shape of a cosine function. Furthermore, It can be noticed that (βopt,d) for solstice 21 March and
169 solstice 20 September is so close to the latitude of the emirate. (βopt,d) for the solstice 20 September is little lower
170 than the latitude of the emirate while (βopt,d) for the other solstice 21 March is little more than the latitude of the
171 emirate.
172 It can also be shown that he daily optimum angles (βopt,d) have a negative values for the emirates of the UAE
173 from the day number (n = 121 to n = 222).
174
175
176
177
178

10
179
180
181
182
183

184 Table 1: The daily optimum tilt angle (βopt,d) for selected average days of months for all emirates of the UAE.
Emirate
Date
Day Number n Abu Dhabi Dubai Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Quain Fujairah Ras Al-Khaimah Al-Ain
Jan. 17 17 52.80 53.52 53.61 53.34 53.79 52.63
Feb. 16 47 43.02 43.78 43.88 43.59 44.07 42.83
Mar. 16 75 28.00 28.79 28.89 28.59 29.09 27.80
Apr. 15 105 8.94 9.71 9.81 9.52 10.00 8.75
May. 15 135 -6.42 -5.73 -5.64 -5.90 -5.47 -6.59
Jun. 11 162 -13.11 -12.47 -12.39 -12.63 -12.23 -13.28
Jul. 17 198 -10.06 -9.39 -9.31 -9.56 -9.14 -10.22
Aug. 16 228 2.53 3.27 3.36 3.09 3.55 2.34
Sep. 15 258 21.04 21.84 21.94 21.64 22.14 20.84
Oct. 15 288 38.75 39.52 39.62 39.33 39.82 38.55
Nov. 14 318 50.61 51.33 51.42 51.15 51.60 50.42
185 Dec. 10 344 55.26 55.96 56.04 55.78 56.22 55.08

186

187

11
188
189 Figure 2: The daily optimum tilt angle, (βopt,d) for all emirates of the UAE

190 4.1.2. Monthly optimum tilt angle

191 The monthly optimum tilt angle (βopt,m) and the monthly total extra-terrestrial radiation(Im) for all emirates in
192 UAE are calculated by MATLAB program using the Equations from 1 to 7. The results are displayed in Table
193 (2) and also the results for Abu Dhabi are displayed in Figure (3). The tilting angle is derived for the surface facing
194 south. Then, positive sign of the (β) reveals that the surface is facing south whereas the negative sign for the (β)
195 reveals that the surface is facing north. It can be shown from Figure (3) that (βopt,m) is changed with the month and
196 it has the shape of a cosine function as (βopt,d). As the case of (βopt,d) it is clear that as the latitude of the emirate is
197 increased its (βopt,m) is also increased.
198 From Table (2) it is clear that (βopt,m) for all emirates of the UAE has a minimum value in June (-12° to -13°)
199 and maximum value in December (55° to 56°). Furthermore, it can be shown that (βopt,m) for the month of March
200 for all emirates is (28° to 29°) which is little more than the emirate's latitude angle. Whereas (βopt,m) for the month
201 of September for all emirates is (21° to 22°) which is little less than the emirate's latitude angle. The yearly extra-
202 terrestrial radiation is estimated for a horizontal surface (β= 0) and for tilted surface at daily (βopt,d), monthly (βopt,m),
203 seasonally (βopt,s), semi-annually (βopt,sa), and annually (βopt,y) tilting angle. The tilt factor (F) is the ratio of the
204 radiation collected by a surface tilting by a specific tilt angle (βopt) to the radiation collected by a horizontal surface
205 (β= 0) for a specific length of time. F is estimated for a surface tilting at daily, monthly, seasonally, semi-annually,
206 and annually optimum tilt angle and showed in Table (3). From Table (3) it can be shown that the tilt factor for a
207 surface tilting by (βopt,d) and a surface tilting by (βopt,m) is approximately the same. Subsequently, there is no need
208 to change the tilt angle each day and it is enough to change it each month to receive approximately the same
209 radiation.
210 4.1.3. Seasonally optimum tilt angle
211 Varying the tilting angle four times each year is more workable than variation it each day or month. So, the tilt
212 angle is varied one time every three months. UAE climate has four seasons:
213 i. Autumn: (Sept. to Nov.)
214 ii. Winter: (Dec. to Feb.)
215 iii. Spring: (Mar. to May)
216 iv. Summer: (June to Aug.)
217 The optimum tilt angle and total extra-terrestrial radiation on seasonal basis for all emirates of UAE are calculated
218 and tabulated in Table (4) and also the seasonally optimum tilt angle (βopt,s) for Abu Dhabi is showed in Figure
219 (4). It can be revealed from Table (3) that the radiation collected by a surface tilting by (βopt,s) is increased by
220 approximately 18% for the all the emirates of the UAE with respect to the radiation collected by a horizontal
221 surface (β =0°). Furthermore, it can also be revealed that the radiation collected by a surface varying its optimum
222 tilt angle each season (four times per year) decreased by approximately 2% compared to the radiation collected
223 by surface varying its optimum tilt angle each month (12 times per year).
12
224 It can be shown from Table (4) that the solar radiation for all the emirates of UAE collected by a surface tilting by
225 (βopt,s) has a maximum value in the Summer season and a minimum value in the Autumn season. For example,
226 Abu Dhabi has a maximum solar radiation (1014.74 kW h/m2) in the Summer season and a minimum solar
227 radiation (953.32 kW h/m2) in Autumn season.

228 Table 2: The monthly optimum tilts angle (βopt,m)and extraterrestrial radiation Im in (kWh/m2)
Emirate
Sharjah,
Month Abu Ajman, and Ras Al-
Dubai Fujairah Al-Ain
Dhabi Umm Al Khaimah
Quwain
January βopt,m 52.71 53.43 53.52 53.25 53.69 52.53
Im 349.37 348.68 348.59 348.86 348.42 349.54
February βopt,m 43.47 44.23 44.32 44.04 44.51 43.28
Im 306.16 305.94 305.91 305.99 305.85 306.21
March βopt,m 27.88 28.68 28.78 28.48 28.97 27.68
Im 326.26 326.24 326.24 326.25 326.24 326.26
April βopt,m 8.75 9.52 9.62 9.33 9.81 8.56
Im 316.68 316.65 316.65 316.66 316.64 316.69
May βopt,m -6.47 -5.78 -5.69 -5.95 -5.52 -6.64
Im 344.06 344.13 344.14 344.11 344.16 344.04
Im (βopt,m = 0 for negative value) 341.87 342.38 342.44 342.26 342.56 341.74
June βopt,m -13.09 -12.44 -12.36 -12.61 -12.20 -13.25
Im 344.82 345.03 345.06 344.98 345.11 344.77
Im (βopt,m = 0 for negative value) 335.86 336.93 337.06 336.67 337.31 335.59
July βopt,m -9.95 -9.28 -9.20 -9.45 -9.03 -10.12
Im 348.41 348.55 348.57 348.52 348.60 348.38
Im (βopt,m = 0 for negative value) 343.18 343.99 344.09 343.79 344.28 342.96
August βopt,m 2.73 3.48 3.57 3.29 3.75 2.55
Im 328.65 328.63 328.63 328.63 328.62 328.65
September βopt,m 21.33 22.12 22.22 21.93 22.42 21.13
Im 310.12 310.11 310.11 310.11 310.11 310.12
October βopt,m 39.03 39.80 39.90 39.61 40.09 38.84
Im 330.72 330.59 330.57 330.62 330.54 330.75
November βopt,m 50.75 51.47 51.56 51.29 51.74 50.56
Im 333.74 333.20 333.13 333.34 332.99 333.88
December βopt,m 55.29 56.00 56.08 55.82 56.26 55.12
Im 351.49 350.61 350.50 350.83 350.28 351.71
Total 3990.49 3988.38 3988.11 3988.92 3987.56 3991.00
Total (βopt,m = 0 for negative value) 3983.06 3982.07 3981.93 3982.34 3981.64 3983.28
229
230
231
232
233

13
234 Table 3: The tilt factor on daily, monthly, seasonally, semi-annually and yearly optimum tilt angle basis for the
235 emirates of the UAE.
Emirates
Sharjah,
Abu Ras al-
Dubai Ajman, Umm Fujairah Al- Ain
Dhabi Khaimah
Al Quwain
β=0 I 3341.51 3321.73 3319.22 3326.73 3314.17 3346.37
I 3998.88 3996.78 3996.51 3997.32 3995.97 3999.38
βopt,d
F 1.197 1.203 1.204 1.202 1.206 1.195
I 3990.49 3988.38 3988.11 3988.92 3987.56 3991.00
βopt,m
F 1.194 1.201 1.202 1.199 1.203 1.193
I 3928.38 3926.15 3925.86 3926.71 3925.28 3928.92
βopt,s
F 1.176 1.182 1.183 1.180 1.184 1.174
I 3921.96 3919.67 3919.38 3920.26 3918.79 3922.51
βopt,sa
F 1.174 1.180 1.181 1.178 1.182 1.172
I 3621.57 3619.15 3618.84 3619.77 3618.21 3622.16
βopt,y
F 1.084 1.090 1.090 1.088 1.092 1.082
236 F: Tilt Factor, I: yearly extra-terrestrial radiation in( kWh/m2).

237
238 Figure 3: Monthly optimum tilt angle, βopt,m for Abu Dhabi, UAE.
239 4.1.4. Semi-annually optimum tilt angle
240 As previously mentioned there are systems that have maximum energy consumption during the summer period
241 and other systems that have maximum energy consumption during winter period. And also it is more workable to
242 vary the tilting angle two times per year (One time in warm period and another time in cold period). The cold
243 period is from (Oct. to Mar.) The hot period is from (Apr. to Sept.) The optimum tilt angle on semi-annually basis
244 (βopt,sa) and the total extra-terrestrial radiation on Semi-annually basis (Isa) for the emirates of UAE is listed in
245 Table(5). It could be shown from Tables (3) that the radiation gained by a surface varying its optimum tilt angle
246 each season (four times per year) and a surface varying semi-annually (two times per year) is approximately the
247 same.
248

249
14
250 Table 4: The Seasonally optimum tilt angle (βopt,s)and extra-terrestrial radiation Is in (kWh/m2).
Emirate
Sharjah,
Season Abu Ras Al-
Dubai Ajman, Umm Fujairah Al-Ain
Dhabi Khaimah
Al Quwain
Autumn βopt,s 37.44 38.19 38.29 38.00 38.48 37.25
Is 953.32 952.75 952.68 952.89 952.53 953.46
Winter βopt,s 50.81 51.53 51.62 51.35 51.80 50.63
Is 1003.24 1001.50 1001.27 1001.94 1000.83 1003.67
Spring βopt,s 9.75 10.49 10.59 10.31 10.77 9.56
Is 957.07 956.91 956.89 956.95 956.85 957.10
summer βopt,s -6.94 -6.26 -6.17 -6.43 -6.00 -7.11
Is 1014.74 1014.99 1015.02 1014.93 1015.08 1014.68
Is (βopt,s = 0 for negative
1007.31 1008.94 1009.13 1008.55 1009.51 1006.88
value)
Total 3928.38 3926.15 3925.86 3926.71 3925.28 3928.92
Total (βopt,s = 0 for negative
3920.94 3920.10 3919.97 3920.33 3919.71 3921.11
value)
251

252
253 Figure 4: The Seasonally optimum tilt angle, βopt,s for Abu Dhabi, UAE
254 Table 5: The Semi-annually optimum tilts angle (βopt,sa)and extra-terrestrial radiation Isa in kWh/m2
Emirate
Sharjah,
Period Abu Ras Al-
Dubai Ajman, Umm Fujairah Al-Ain
Dhabi Khaimah
Al Quwain
Warm period (Apr. to Sept.) βopt,sa -0.01 0.70 0.79 0.52 0.97 -0.19
Isa 1951.06 1951.04 1951.04 1951.05 1951.02 1951.06
Cold period (Oct. to Mar.) βopt,sa 45.13 45.87 45.96 45.68 46.14 44.95
Isa 1970.90 1968.63 1968.34 1969.21 1967.76 1971.46
Total 3921.96 3919.67 3919.38 3920.26 3918.79 3922.51
15
255 4.1.5 Anually optimum tilt angle
256 The annually optimum tilt angle (βopt,y) and the annually extra-terrestrial radiation (Iy) received by a surface fixed
257 at annually optimum tilt angle are calculated and tabulated in Table (6) for all the emirates of UAE. It can be
258 shown from Table (3) that the radiation collected by a surface varying its optimum tilting angle each day is
259 increased by approximately 10.4% with respect to a surface fixed at annually optimum tilt angle for the emirates
260 of UAE. In the same way, the solar radiation collected by a surface varying its optimum tilt angle each month (12
261 times) is increased by approximately 10.2% compared to a surface fixed at annually tilting angle for the emirates
262 of UAE. In another word, the surface varying its optimum tilt angle each day and surface varying its optimum tilt
263 angle each month gained approximately the same radiation. Moreover, the radiation collected by a surface varying
264 its optimum tilt angle each season of the year (four times) is increased by approximately 8.5% compared to a
265 surface fixed at annually tilting angle for the emirates of UAE. In the same way, the solar radiation collected by a
266 surface varying its optimum tilting angle semi-annually (two times) is increased by approximately 8.3% compared
267 to a surface fixed at annually optimum tilt angle for the emirates of UAE. In another word, the surface varying its
268 optimum tilt angle each season (four times) and surface varying its optimum tilt angle semi-annually (two times)
269 gained almost the same radiation
270 In the end, it could be summarized that tilting the surface by optimum tilt angle will definitely lead to marked
271 increase in the radiation gained by the surface for the all emirates of UAE. Tilting the surface by daily and monthly
272 optimum angle will lead to an increase up to 20% compared to surface fixed horizontally. However, tilting the
273 surface by seasonally and semi-annually optimum tilt angle will lead to an increase up to 18% compared to surface
274 fixed horizontally. Finally, fixing the surface at the annually optimum tilting angle will lead to an increase of 9%
275 compared to surface fixed horizontally.
276 Table 6: The annually optimum tilt angle (βopt,y) and extra-terrestrial radiation Iy in (kWh/m2).
Emirate
Abu Dhabi Dubai Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Quain Fujairah Ras Al-Khaimah Al- Ain
βopt,y 22.68 23.39 23.48 23.21 23.66 22.50
Iy 3621.57 3619.15 3618.84 3619.77 3618.21 3622.16
277

278 4.2. PVWatts and PVGIS results

279 From previous section it can be concluded that there is a little difference between the emirates of UAE regarding
280 the optimum tilting angle and the solar radiation. Consequently, the two main emirates of UAE are chosen, Abu
281 Dhabi and Dubai. PVWatts [13] and PVGIS [14] are selected since PVWatts depending on solar resources data
282 gathered from earth station while PVGIS depending on solar data taken from satellite images. On the other hand,
283 PVWatts doesn't calculate the optimum tilting angle, while PVGIS only calculates the annually optimum tilting
284 angle. Consequently, the optimum tilting angle for a specific time period is calculated by find out the solar radiation
285 at several tilting angles and the tilting angle that produces the highest solar radiation would be the optimal tilting
286 angle for this specific time period.
287
288 Table 7 shows monthly, seasonally, semi-annually and annually optimal tilt angle using part one mathematical
289 model, PVGIS and PVWatts for Abu Dhabi. Figure 5 presents monthly optimum tilt angle using part one
290 mathematical model, PVGIS and PVWatts for Abu Dhabi. In the same way, Figure 6 presents seasonally optimum
291 tilt angle using part one mathematical model, PVGIS and PVWatts for Abu Dhabi. It could be revealed that the
292 mathematical model gives almost correct optimum tilt angle. It should be emphasized that the minimum value of
293 the tilting angle in PVWatts and PVGIS is zero and there is no negative tilt angle in PVWatts and PVGIS.
294
295

16
296 Table 7 : Monthly, seasonally, semi-annually and annually optimum tilt angle using part one mathematical model,
297 PVGIS and PVWatts for Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi
Period Annually Optimum Tilt Angle
Mathematical
PVGIS PVWatts
Model
23 25 25
Semi-annually optimum tilt angle
Warm period 0 3 6
Cold period 45 45 45
Seasonally optimum tilt angle
Autumn 37 38 37
Winter 51 50 50
Spring 10 12 12
Summer -7 0 0
Monthly Optimum Tilt Angle
January 53 52 53
February 43 44 43
March 28 29 28
April 9 11 12
May -6 0 0
June -13 0 0
July -10 0 0
August 3 6 7
September 21 23 21
October 39 39 39
November 51 50 51
December 55 55 55
298

299
300 Figure 5: Monthly optimum tilt angle using part one mathematical model, PVGIS and PVWatts for Abu Dhabi

17
301
302 Figure 6: Seasonally optimum tilt angle using part one mathematical model, PVGIS and PVWatts for Abu
303 Dhabi
304 4.2.1. Case Studies between Abu Dhabi and Dubai
305 To perform this study, Abu Dhabi and Dubai have been selected. A monocrystalline silicon module with 5 kWp
306 is employed to estimate the energy produced in Abu Dhabi and Dubai using PVGIS and PVWatts. Firstly, the
307 monthly average radiation (kWh/m2/Day) is estimated for different tilt angle (β) using PVWatts for Abu Dhabi
308 and tabulated in Table 8. Then, the monthly average radiation is estimated for different tilt angle (β) using PVGIS
309 for Abu Dhabi and tabulated in Table 9. Furthermore, the monthly average radiation is estimated for different tilt
310 angle (β) using PVGIS for Dubai and tabulated in Table 10.
311 Table 8: Monthly average radiation (kWh/m2/Day) for different tilt angle (β) using PVWatts for Abu Dhabi

Months Monthly Average Radiation using PVWatts for Abu Dhabi

β(0°) β(10°) β(20°) β(23°)*1 β(25°)*2 β(30°) β(60°) β(90°)

January 4.2 4.92 5.48 5.62 5.71 5.90 6.25 5.18
February 5.3 5.99 6.49 6.61 6.69 6.83 6.80 5.24
March 5.6 5.89 6.10 6.13 6.14 6.15 5.46 3.65
April 6.5 6.65 6.62 6.59 6.55 6.45 5.04 2.71
May 7.6 7.58 7.34 7.23 7.15 6.91 4.74 2.01
June 7.8 7.60 7.25 7.10 7.00 6.71 4.29 1.70
July 7.4 7.30 7.03 6.91 6.82 6.58 4.40 1.81
August 7.2 7.30 7.20 7.14 7.09 6.93 5.16 2.46
September 6.6 6.95 7.11 7.13 7.13 7.10 6.00 3.62
October 5.7 6.27 6.69 6.78 6.83 6.93 6.54 4.64
November 4.6 5.23 5.79 5.92 6.01 6.19 6.39 5.09
December 3.9 4.62 5.18 5.33 5.42 5.62 6.00 5.00
Annual Average 6.04 6.36 6.52 6.54 6.55 6.53 5.59 3.59
312 *1
: Annually optimum tilt angle taken from the mathematical model in part one.
313 *2
: Annually optimum tilt angle taken from PVWatts.

18
314 Table 9: Monthly average radiation (kWh/m2/Day) for different tilt angle (β) using PVGIS for Abu Dhabi

Months Monthly Average Radiation using PVGIS for Abu Dhabi

β(0°) β(10°) β(20°) β(23°)*1 β(25°)*2 β(30°) β(60°) β(90°)

January 4.39 5.06 5.62 5.76 5.85 6.05 6.37 5.22
February 5.44 6.04 6.51 6.62 6.68 6.82 6.71 5.08
March 6.31 6.69 6.92 6.96 6.97 6.99 6.20 4.05
April 7.05 7.17 7.12 7.08 7.04 6.92 5.38 2.76
May 7.86 7.74 7.45 7.33 7.24 7.00 4.79 1.77
June 8.06 7.83 7.42 7.27 7.16 6.85 4.39 1.30
July 7.55 7.40 7.11 6.99 6.90 6.66 4.55 1.71
August 7.30 7.34 7.21 7.14 7.09 6.93 5.19 2.44
September 6.90 7.20 7.34 7.34 7.34 7.30 6.16 3.68
October 6.01 6.60 7.02 7.12 7.18 7.28 6.93 4.98
November 4.82 5.52 6.09 6.23 6.32 6.51 6.75 5.41
December 4.22 4.94 5.55 5.71 5.81 6.03 6.49 5.43
Annual Average 6.32 6.63 6.78 6.80 6.80 6.78 5.83 3.65
315 *1
: Annually optimum tilt angle taken from the mathematical model in part one.
316 *2
: Annually optimum tilt angle taken from PVGIS.
2
317 Table 10: Monthly average radiation (kWh/m /Day) for different tilt angle (β) using PVGIS for Dubai

Months Monthly Average Radiation using PVGIS for Dubai

β(0°) β(10°) β(20°) β(23°)*1 β(26°)*2 β(30°) β(60°) β(90°)

January 4.2 4.89 5.44 5.58 5.69 5.86 6.22 5.12
February 5.2 5.83 6.29 6.40 6.48 6.60 6.53 4.98
March 6.1 6.50 6.74 6.78 6.80 6.82 6.08 4.02
April 7.0 7.14 7.11 7.07 7.02 6.91 5.41 2.83
May 7.9 7.79 7.52 7.40 7.29 7.07 4.89 1.86
June 8.0 7.83 7.45 7.31 7.17 6.90 4.49 1.48
July 7.5 7.40 7.12 7.00 6.90 6.68 4.62 1.81
August 7.3 7.33 7.23 7.16 7.10 6.96 5.25 2.53
September 6.8 7.11 7.26 7.28 7.27 7.24 6.16 3.74
October 5.9 6.49 6.92 7.02 7.09 7.19 6.89 5.00
November 4.7 5.36 5.94 6.08 6.19 6.37 6.64 5.36
December 4.1 4.86 5.49 5.65 5.77 5.98 6.49 5.47
Annual Average 6.24 6.55 6.71 6.73 6.73 6.72 5.81 3.68
318 *1
: Annually optimum tilt angle taken from the mathematical model in part one..
319 *2
: Annually optimum tilt angle taken from PVGIS.

19
320 From Tables 8 - 10 it could be concluded that the month of June has the maximum monthly average radiation for
321 PV fixed horizontally for Abu Dhabi and Dubai. While, May has the maximum monthly average radiation for PV
322 tilted at annually optimal angle for Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Table 9 and Table 10 clearly reveal that Dubai has little
323 less monthly average radiation than Abu Dhabi. Furthermore, Table 8 and Table 9 show that PVWatts results for
324 monthly average radiation are little less than PVGIS results.
325 Table 8 to Table 10 is clearly indicated that the present mathematical model produces almost accurate value for
326 the annual optimal tilting angle since monthly average radiation is almost the same for a PV fixed at annually
327 optimum tilting angle estimated by the mathematical model in part one or by PVGIS and PVWatts. To clarify this
328 point, from Table 8 it could be reached that the annually optimum tilting angle for Abu Dhabi estimated by the
329 mathematical model and PVWatts is 23° and 25°, respectively. However, the monthly average radiation calculated
330 at 23° and 25° are (6.54 kWh/m2/Day) and (6.55 kWh/m2/Day), respectively. Furthermore, from Table 9 it could
331 be reached that the annually optimum tilt angle for Abu Dhabi using PVGIS is 25° and the annually optimum tilt
332 angle utilizing the mathematical model is 23°. However, the annual average radiation calculated at 23° and 25°
333 is the same (6.80 kWh/m2/Day).
334 Moreover, Table 10 shows that the annually optimum tilt angle for Dubai estimated by mathematical model and
335 PVGIS is 23° and 26°, respectively. Despite that, the annual average radiation for the both angles is the same
336 (6.73 kWh/m2/Day).
337 From Table 8 it could be noticed that monthly average radiation received by a surface fixed horizontally in Abu
338 Dhabi using PVWatts is (6.04 kWh/m2/Day). Increasing the tilt angle will lead to increase annual average
339 radiation until it reached its maximum value at the annual optimum tilt angle (6.55 kWh/m 2/Day). Then, further
340 increase in the tilt angle above the annual optimum tilting angle will lead to reduce the annual average radiation
341 until it reaches (3.59 kWh/m2/Day) for the vertical surface. From Table 10 it can be concluded that for Dubai and
342 using PVGIS the annual average radiation for horizontal surface is (6.24 kWh/m2/Day). In the same way,
343 increasing the tilt angle will lead to increase annual average radiation until it reached its maximum value at the
344 annual optimum tilt angle (6.73 kWh/m2/Day). Further increase in the tilt angle above the annual optimum tilting
345 angle will lead to reduce the annual average radiation until it reaches (3.68 kWh/m2/Day) for the vertical surface.
346 Finally, the monthly energy generated by 5 kWh PV fixed at horizontally, monthly, seasonally, semi-annually,
347 and annually optimum tilt angle in Abu Dhabi is calculated using PVWatts and PVGIS and tabulated in Table 11.
348
349 From Table 11, Figures 7 and 8 it is clear that the PV tilted by annually optimum tilt angle can produces
350 approximately 8% more energy than PV fixed horizontally. Furthermore, PV tilted by semi-annually optimum
351 tilt angle can produces approximately 13.4% more energy than PV fixed horizontally. Table 11 also reveals that
352 the energy created by a PV tilted by seasonally and Semi-annually optimum tilt angle is nearly the same. Finally,
353 PV tilted by monthly optimum tilt angle can produces approximately 14.5% more energy than PV fixed
354 horizontally. It can be summarized that it is deserve to tilt the PV at the annually optimal tilting angle and to vary
355 the optimal tilting angle monthly or semi-annually.

356 4.3. Comparison of mathematical model with previously publications

357 The suggested mathematical model in is compared with Farzad Jafarkazemi and S. Ali Saadabadi [48] work. Farzad
358 Jafarkazemi and S. Ali Saadabadi suggested a mathematical model that provided the optimum tilt angle for Abu
359 Dhabi. Then, the present mathematical model is compared by Nijegorodor et al.’s [49] and P. Talebizadeh et al.
360 [33] models. The monthly and yearly models suggested by Nijegorodor et al. and P. Talebizadeh et al. are used to
361 calculate the annually and monthly optimum tilt angle for Abu Dhabi. The results of the present mathematical
362 model and the previous studies are shown in Table 12 and Figure 9. It can be concluded from Table 12 and Figure
363 9 that the present mathematical model produces approximately exact value for the optimal tilting angle.
364
20
365 Table 11: Monthly energy generated for 5 kWh in Abu Dhabi

Monthly Energy generated (kWh) For Abu Dhabi

Months
PVGIS PVWatts
β=0 β opt,y βopt, sa βopt, s βopt, m β=0 β opt,y βopt, sa βopt, s βopt, m
January 531 714 780 785 785 501 677 739 743 744
February 585 719 750 746 750 563 705 739 737 739
March 730 805 783 780 807 652 719 698 697 720
April 774 770 779 785 785 719 722 730 734 734
May 857 786 854 836 857 853 795 850 841 853
June 844 745 837 844 844 830 746 821 830 830
July 821 747 817 821 820 808 743 803 808 808
August 800 774 803 800 803 784 768 790 784 791
September 740 784 751 763 784 701 752 724 737 752
October 682 811 828 832 832 637 761 772 777 777
November 546 718 777 765 779 505 669 720 708 721
December 505 703 780 787 790 463 641 706 712 713
Annual Sum 8414 9075 9539 9544 9635 8016 8698 9092 9108 9182
Percentage
gain
7.86 13.37 13.42 14.51 8.51 13.42 13.62 14.55
compared to a
horizontal (%)
366
367

21
368

369
370 Figure 7: Monthly energy generated in Abu Dhabi for 5 kWh using PVWatts

22
371
372 Figure 8: Monthly energy generated in Abu Dhabi for 5 kWh using PVGIS
373 Table 12 : Monthly and annually optimum tilt angle for Abu Dhabi obtained by Nijegorodor et al., P. Talebizadeh
374 et al., Farzad Jafarkazemi and S. Ali Saadabadi and the present Mathematical model.
Mathematical Nijegorodor et P. Talebizadeh et Farzad Jafarkazemi and
Month
model al.’s [49] al. [33] S. Ali Saadabadi [48]
January 52.71 50.72 48.79 50
February 43.47 40.67 42.42 39
March 27.88 28.4 22.25 25
April 8.75 14.4 9.84 10
May -6.47 -1.31 -0.07 -3
June -13.09 -12.77 -2.35 -9
July -9.95 -8.28 -0.86 -6
August 2.73 6.67 9.19 5
September 31.33 22.4 27.39 20
October 39.03 36.4 39.16 36
November 50.75 47.69 47.53 48
December 55.29 55.23 51.72 52
year 22.68 25.51 23.80 22
375

23
376
377 Figure 9: Monthly and annually optimum tilt angle for Abu Dhabi obtained by Nijegorodor et al. [49], P.
378 Talebizadeh et al. [33], Farzad Jafarkazemi and S. Ali Saadabadi [48] and the present Mathematical Model.
379 5. Conclusion
380 The mathematical model build by MATLAB gives accurate optimum tilt angle results compared with PVWatts
381 and PVGIS. A negative design tilt angle for solar PV panel and solar thermal collector is not needed for all
382 emirates in UAE. Solar PV panels for all emirates in UAE will produce approximately 8%, 13.4%, 13.5%, and
383 14.5% more energy for yearly, semi-annually, seasonally, monthly adjustments respectively when compared to a
384 horizontal surface. The optimal tilting angle for all the emirates of the UAE based on the daily and monthly,
385 sseasonally and semi-annually throughout the year are -13.0° in June and 56° in December. The optimal tilting
386 angles are 0° in the warm period (Apr. to Sept.), 45° in the cold period (Oct. to Mar.), a maximum value of 51° in
387 winter and minimum value of -7° in summer respectively. Moreover, the optimum tilt angle values are higher than
388 the latitude and less than the latitude during the autumn and spring season respectively, (38° and 10°). Regarding
389 to the yearly average radiation in Abu Dhabi and Dubai using PVGIS, the values based on the horizontal surface
390 are (6.32 kWh/m2/Day) and (6.24 kWh/m2/Day) respectively, while the yearly average radiation are (6.80
391 kWh/m2/Day) and (6.73 kWh/m2/Day) by utilizing a panel tilting with a yearly optimum tilt angle respectively.
392 Where the values of yearly average radiation for horizontal surface and panel tilting with a yearly optimum tilt
393 angle in Abu Dhabi are (6.04 kWh/m2/Day) and (6.55 kWh/m2/Day) respectively based on the PVWatts. The
394 results of PVGIS are slightly more than the results of PVWatts. The optimum tilt angle for specific month,
395 seasonally and semi-annually are the average of the daily optimum tilt angle for this particular month and the
396 average monthly optimum tilt angle for that particular period respectively. In order the solar PV panels or solar
397 thermal collectors receive more solar radiation the its tilt angles have to be adjusted monthly or semi-annually.
398 Furthermore, this show that the important of selection the accurate and optimum tilt angle for the solar panels or
399 solar thermal collectors. Such this adjustment of tilt angles doesn’t need more time and can be easily performed
400 by any person.
401
402 List of Abbreviations
UAE United Arab Emirates
GHI Global Horizontal Irradiance
δ Declination angle

24
 n The day number
∅ Latitude angle
h Hour angle
α The altitude angle
hs The hour angles at sunrise and sunset
β The tilt angle
PV Photovoltaic
Ip Extra-terrestrial radiation for a particular period
F The tilt factor
Id Daily extra-terrestrial radiation
βopt,m Monthly optimum tilt angle
Im Monthly total extra-terrestrial radiation
βopt,d Daily optimum tilt angle
βopt,s Seasonally optimum tilt angle
Is Seasonally extra-terrestrial radiation
βopt,sa Semi-annually optimum angle
βopt,y The annually optimum tilt angle
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-
ASHRAE
Conditioning Engineers
Isa Semi-annually extra-terrestrial radiation
Iy The yearly extra-terrestrial radiation
403
404 Acknowledgement: The authors would like to acknowledge the : An Najah National University and University
405 of Sharjah for facilitating this research.
406 Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
407 References
408 [1] Tareq Salameh, Mamdouh El Haj Assad, Muhammad Tawalbeh, Chaouki Ghenai, Adel Merabet, Hakan
409 F.Öztop, 2020. Analysis of cooling load on commercial building in UAE climate using building integrated
410 photovoltaic façade system, Solar Energy, 199, 617 – 629.
411 [2] Tareq Salameh, Chaouki Ghenai, Adel Merabet, Malek Alkasrawi, 2020. Techno-economical optimization of
412 an integrated stand-alone hybrid solar PV tracking and diesel generator power system in Khorfakkan, United Arab
413 Emirates, Energy, 190.
414 [3] Natsheh, E.M., 2016. Power generation of solar PV systems in Palestine. Applied Solar Energy, 52(3), pp.193-
415 196.
25
416 [4] Abdallah, R., Juaidi, A., Abdel-Fattah, S. and Manzano-Agugliaro, F., 2020. Estimating the Optimum Tilt
417 Angles for South-Facing Surfaces in Palestine. Energies, 13(3), p.623.
418 [5] Danandeh, M. A. (2018). Solar irradiance estimation models and optimum tilt angle approaches: A
419 comparative study. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 92, pp.319-330.
420 [6] Khalil, A., & Alnajjar, A. (1995). Experimental and theoretical investigation of global and diffuse solar
421 radiation in the United Arab Emirates. Renewable Energy, 6(5-6), pp.537-543.
422 [7] Jacobson, M. Z., & Jadhav, V. (2018). World estimates of PV optimal tilt angles and ratios of sunlight incident
423 upon tilted and tracked PV panels relative to horizontal panels. Solar Energy, 169, pp.55-66.
424 [8] Kern, J., & Harris, I. (1975). On the optimum tilt of a solar collector. Solar Energy, 17(2), pp.97-102.
425 [9] Koronakis, P. S. (1986). On the choice of the angle of tilt for south facing solar collectors in the Athens basin
426 area. Solar Energy, 36(3), pp.217-225.
427 [10] Lewis, G. (1987). Optimum tilt of a solar collector. Solar and Wind Technology, 4(3), pp.407-410.
428 [11] Chang, T. P. (2009). The Sun’s apparent position and the optimal tilt angle of a solar collector in the northern
429 hemisphere. Solar energy, 83(8), pp.1274-1284.
430 [12] Talebizadeh, P., Mehrabian, M. A., & Abdolzadeh, M. (2011). Determination of optimum slope angles of
431 solar collectors based on new correlations. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental
432 Effects, 33(17), pp.1567-1580.
433 [13] Yadav, A. K., & Chandel, S. S. (2013). Tilt angle optimization to maximize incident solar radiation: A
434 review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 23, pp.503-513.
435 [14] Skeiker, K. (2009). Optimum tilt angle and orientation for solar collectors in Syria. Energy Conversion and
436 Management, 50(9), pp.2439-2448.
437 [15] NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory), 2017. PV Watts Calculator. Available:
438 https://pvwatts.nrel.gov. (Accessed September 1, 2019).
439 [16] Photovoltaic Geographical Information System. European Commission. PVGIS (2019). Available:
440 https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/tools.html
441 [17] Babatunde, A. A., Abbasoglu, S., & Senol, M. (2018). Analysis of the impact of dust, tilt angle and
442 orientation on performance of PV Plants. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 90, pp.1017-1026.
443 [18] Ghedira, H. and Eissa, Y., 2014. Global tilt irradiation map of the United Arab Emirates. Energy Procedia,
444 57, pp.1199-1205.
445 [19] Jacobson, M. Z., & Jadhav, V. (2018). World estimates of PV optimal tilt angles and ratios of sunlight
446 incident upon tilted and tracked PV panels relative to horizontal panels. Solar Energy, 169, pp.55-66.
447 [20] Mokri, A., Ali, M.A. and Emziane, M., 2013. Solar energy in the United Arab Emirates: A review.
448 Renewable and Sustainable energy reviews, 28, pp.340-375.
449 [21] Gherboudj, I. and Ghedira, H., 2016. Assessment of solar energy potential over the United Arab Emirates
450 using remote sensing and weather forecast data. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 55, pp.1210-1224.
451 [22] Hachicha, A.A., Al-Sawafta, I. and Said, Z., 2019. Impact of dust on the performance of solar photovoltaic
452 (PV) systems under United Arab Emirates weather conditions. Renewable Energy, 141, pp.287-297.
26
453 [23] Chang, Y.P., 2010. Optimal the tilt angles for photovoltaic modules using PSO method with nonlinear time-
454 varying evolution. Energy, 35(5), pp.1954-1963.
455 [24] Hafez, A.Z., Soliman, A., El-Metwally, K.A. and Ismail, I.M., 2017. Tilt and azimuth angles in solar energy
456 applications–A review. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews, 77, pp.147-168.
457 [25] Lubitz, W.D., 2011. Effect of manual tilt adjustments on incident irradiance on fixed and tracking solar
458 panels. Applied energy, 88(5), pp.1710-1719.
459 [26] Khalil, A. and Alnajjar, A., 1995. Experimental and theoretical investigation of global and diffuse solar
460 radiation in the United Arab Emirates. Renewable Energy, 6(5-6), pp.537-543.
461 [27] Skeiker, K. (2009). Optimum tilt angle and orientation for solar collectors in Syria. Energy Conversion and
462 Management, 50(9), pp.2439-2448.
463 [28] Khasawneh, Q. A., Damra, Q. A., Salman, B., & Husni, O. (2015). Determining the Optimum Tilt Angle
464 for Solar Applications in Northern Jordan. Jordan Journal of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, 9(3).
465 [29] Hartner, M., Ortner, A., Hiesl, A., & Haas, R. (2015). East to west–The optimal tilt angle and orientation of
466 photovoltaic panels from an electricity system perspective. Applied Energy, 160, pp.94-107.
467 [30] Safdarian, F., & Nazari, M. E. (2015, September). Optimal tilt angle and orientation for solar collectors in
468 Iran. In 2015 IEEE 10th International Symposium on Diagnostics for Electrical Machines, Power Electronics
469 and Drives (SDEMPED) (pp. 494-500). IEEE.
470 [31] Berisha, X., Zeqiri, A., & Meha, D. (2017). Solar Radiation–The Estimation of the Optimum Tilt Angles
471 for South-Facing Surfaces in Pristina.
472 [32] Abdulsalam, H. S., & Alibaba, H. Z. Optimum Tilt Angle for Photovoltaic Panels in Famagusta, Cyprus.
473 [33] Talebizadeh, P., Mehrabian, M. A., & Abdolzadeh, M. (2011). Determination of optimum slope angles of
474 solar collectors based on new correlations. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental
475 Effects, 33(17), pp.1567-1580.
476 [34] Morcos, V. H. (1994). Optimum tilt angle and orientation for solar collectors in Assiut, Egypt. Renewable
477 energy, 4(3), pp.291-298.
478 [35] Hartley, L. E., Martínez-Lozano, J. A., Utrillas, M. P., Tena, F., & Pedros, R. (1999). The optimisation of
479 the angle of inclination of a solar collector to maximise the incident solar radiation. Renewable Energy, 17(3),
480 pp.291-309.
481 [36] Yakup, M. A. B. H. M., & Malik, A. Q. (2001). Optimum tilt angle and orientation for solar collector in
482 Brunei Darussalam. Renewable Energy, 24(2), pp.223-234.
483 [37] Tang, R., & Wu, T. (2004). Optimal tilt-angles for solar collectors used in China. Applied energy, 79(3),
484 pp.239-248.
485 [38] Ulgen, K. (2006). Optimum tilt angle for solar collectors. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and
486 Environmental Effects, 28(13), pp.1171-1180.
487 [39] Darhmaoui, H., & Lahjouji, D. (2013). Latitude based model for tilt angle optimization for solar collectors
488 in the Mediterranean region. Energy Procedia, 42, pp.426-435.

27
489 [40] El-Kassaby, M. M. (1988). Monthly and daily optimum tilt angle for south facing solar collectors; theoretical
490 model, experimental and empirical correlations. Solar & wind technology, 5(6), pp.589-596.
491 [41] Guo, M., Zang, H., Gao, S., Chen, T., Xiao, J., Cheng, L., ... & Sun, G. (2017). Optimal tilt angle and
492 orientation of photovoltaic modules using HS algorithm in different climates of China. Applied Sciences, 7(10),
493 pp.1028.
494 [42] Jafarkazemi, F. and Saadabadi, S.A., 2013. Optimum tilt angle and orientation of solar surfaces in Abu Dhabi,
495 UAE. Renewable energy, 56, pp.44-49.
496 [43] Benghanem, M., 2011. Optimization of tilt angle for solar panel: Case study for Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
497 Applied Energy, 88(4), pp.1427-1433.
498 [44] Rowlands, I.H., Kemery, B.P. and Beausoleil-Morrison, I., 2011. Optimal solar-PV tilt angle and azimuth:
499 An Ontario (Canada) case-study. Energy Policy, 39(3), pp.1397-1409.
500 [45] Calabrò, E., 2009. Determining optimum tilt angles of photovoltaic panels at typical north-tropical latitudes.
501 Journal of renewable and sustainable energy, 1(3), p.033104.
502 [46] Yan, R., Saha, T.K., Meredith, P. and Goodwin, S., 2013. Analysis of yearlong performance of differently
503 tilted photovoltaic systems in Brisbane, Australia. Energy conversion and management, 74, pp.102-108.
504 [47] Duffie, J.A. and Beckman, W.A., 2013. Solar engineering of thermal processes. John Wiley & Sons.
505 [48] Farzad Jafarkazemi, S. Ali Saadabadi. Optimum tilt angle and orientation of solar surfaces in Abu Dhabi,
506 UAE. Renewable Energy 56 (2013), pp.44-49
507 [49] Nijegorodov N, Devan KRS, Jain PK. Atmospheric transmittance models and an analytical method to predict
508 the optimum slope of an absorber plate, variously orientated at any latitude. Renew Energy 1997;4(5):pp.529.

28