Modeling the Distribution of Solar Radiation on a Two-Axis Tracking Plane for Photovoltaic Conversion

Abstract

The paper presents selected isotropic and anisotropic mathematical models to calculate the distribution of solar radiation on the photovoltaic module plane with any spatial orientation. A comparison of solar radiation models for Poland is based on measured data and received from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management. Power density of solar radiation for different angular positions, especially for representative days of each month, was calculated. Based on the statistical analysis of the percentage root-mean-square error (RMSE%), mean-bias error (MBE%) and the Pearson correlation coefficient of an individual mathematical model, our own correction factor for diffuse radiation was proposed. A modified Liu-Jordan model was compared with six common mathematical models showing better agreement of measured and calculated values of solar radiation density. The presented analysis explains which mathematical model is the most suitable for central Poland (Poznań, 52°25’ N, 16°56’ E) and shows the validity of applying the modified model to improve the accuracy of determination of the radiation power density for a given elevation and azimuth angle using values for a horizontal plane.

Keywords

• solar radiation
• mathematical model
• tracking system
• elevation angle
• photovoltaic module