Constrained optimisation of photovoltaic (PV) module layouts

In this paper the row-spacing and tilt trade-off, east-west orientation and adjustable tilt methods are discussed and evaluated as module layout optimisation methods which can be used to navigate some of the common design constraints in the solar PV sector. Site-related constraints and advancements in the photovoltaic (PV) industry over the past couple of years have necessitated the need to review the PV system design process. Design constraints, technological advancements and a variable range of design goals for PV systems mean that to get the best value for money from your PV system, it is sometimes not enough to blindly mount your PV panels facing towards the equator, at a tilt angle equal to the latitude coordinate of the location as the rule-of-thumb stipulates. A location in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, well-known for being conducive for solar PV projects, is used as a case study for the simulations. The results from this study show that the methods evaluated herein can indeed be beneficial in performing the constrained optimisation of PV module layouts to improve system performance and reduce system costs. The study confirms that it is worth the PV system designer's time to perform a proper evaluation of the relevant design objectives and design constraints to fully unlock the potential of every project.