Solar Energy Optimization through Seasons: Case Study in Jordan

Ahmad Qasaimeh

Department of Civil Engineering, Jerash University, Jerash, Jordan..

DOI: 10.4236/sgre.2012.34038                

Abstract

Solar energy in Jordan is recognized high amongst in the world. The solar energy cultivation needs to be magnified by optimizing the angle of inclination of solar cells. The angle of inclination in this work is not fixed but variable throughout the year, and consequently the angle is optimized for seasons. In this research, the optimized angles for seasons in Jordan are obtained as: 60? for Winter (November to February), 30? for Spring (March and April), 10? for Summer (May to August), and 30? for Fall (September and October). The optimized cultivated energy throughout all seasons in the year equals about 2490 kWh/m². The residential customer consumption of electricity is 2475 kWh/customer per year. Therefore, according to Jordan, if the sun energy is converted efficiently to electricity, it will be worthy to apply for residential building for which each customer should have some area of solar cells to overcome the needs of energy. In addition, with some wise management of electricity in the daylight period, fossil fuel consumption will be minimized. Hence, combining solar energy concept in the design of building is an important step in sustainable development of green energy.

Keywords

Solar Energy; Optimization; Angle of Inclination; Seasons; DST; Electricity; Jordan

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	B. Y. H. Liu and R. C. Jordan, “The Interrelationship and Characteristic Distribution of Direct, Diffuse and Total Solar Radiation,” Solar Energy, Vol. 4, No. 3, 1960, pp. 1-19. doi:10.1016/0038-092X(60)90062-1
[2]	M. Collares-Pereira and A. Rabl, “The Average Distribution of Solar Radiation Correlation between Diffuse and Hemispherical and between Daily and Hourly Isolation Values,” Solar Energy, Vol. 22, No. 2, 1979, pp. 155-164. doi:10.1016/0038-092X(79)90100-2
[3]	G. R. Saraf and F. A. W. Hamad, “Optimum Tilt Angle for a Flat Plate Solar Collector,” Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 28, No. 2, 1988, pp. 185-191. doi:10.1016/0196-8904(88)90044-1
[4]	K. K. Gopinathan, “Solar Radiation on Variously Oriented Sloping Surfaces,” Solar Energy, Vol. 47, No. 3, 1991, pp. 173-179. doi:10.1016/0038-092X(91)90076-9
[5]	S. Sh. Soulayman, “On the Optimum Tilt of Solar Absorber Plates,” Renewable Energy, Vol. 1, No. 3-4, 1991, pp. 551-554. doi:10.1016/0960-1481(91)90070-6
[6]	N. Nijegorodov, K. R. S. Devan, P. K. Jain and S. Carlsson, “Atmospheric Transmittance Models and an Analytical Method to Predict the Optimum Slope of an Absorber Plate, Variously Orientated at Any Latitude,” Renewable Energy, Vol. 4, No. 5, 1994, pp. 529-543.
[7]	H. Gunerhan and A. Hepbasli, “Determination of the Optimum Tilt Angle of Solar Collectors for Building Applications,” Building and Environment, Vol. 42, No. 2, 2007, pp. 779-783. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2005.09.012
[8]	M. Ab. H. M. Yakup and A. Q. Malik, “Optimum Tilt Angle and Orientation for Solar Collector in Brunei Darussalam,” Renewable Energy, Vol. 24, No. 2, 2001, pp. 223-234. doi:10.1016/S0960-1481(00)00168-3
[9]	H. N. Singh and G. N. Tiwari, “Evaluation of Cloudiness, Haziness Factor for Composite Climate,” Energy, Vol. 30, No. 9, 2005, pp. 1589-1601. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2004.04.036
[10]	J. Jarras, “Feasibility of a Fund for Financing Solar Water Heaters and Projects Related to the Promotion of Renewable Energies in Jordan,” MEMR Press, Amman, 1987.
[11]	D. H. W. Li and J. C. Lam, “An Analysis of Climatic Variables and Design Implications,” Architectural Science Review, Vol. 42, No. 1, 1999, pp. 15-25. doi:10.1080/00038628.1999.9696844
[12]	A. Shariah, M. A. Al-Akhras and I. A. Al-Omari, “Optimizing the Tilt Angle of Solar Collectors,” Renewable Energy, Vol. 26, No. 4, 2002, pp. 587-598. doi:10.1016/S0960-1481(01)00106-9
[13]	Meteorological Department, Climate Division, “Jordan Climatic Data,” 2007.
[14]	Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources MEMR, “Ana-lytical Study Report,” Jordan, 1996.
[15]	Wikipedia. Daylight Saving Time, 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time
[16]	Y. Shimoda, T. Asahi, A. Taniguchi and M. Mizuno. “Evaluation of City-Scale Impact of Residential Energy Conservation Measures Using the Detailed End-Use Simulation Model,” Energy, Vol. 32, No. 9, 2007, pp. 1617-1633. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2007.01.007
[17]	A. Kandel and D. Metz, “The Effects of Daylight Saving Time on California Electricity Use,” California Energy Commission, 2001.
[18]	A. Kandel, “Electricity Savings from Early Daylight Saving Time,” California Energy Commission, 2001.
[19]	Jordan Meteorological Department, Annual Climate Bulletin, Amman, Jordan, 2007.
[20]	National Center for Research and Development, “Energy Research Program,” Jordan Solar Irradiance and Ambient Temperature Bulletin for the years 2004-2010.
[21]	Time and Date Calendar, 2012. http://www.timeanddate.com