Evaluating Multiple Tilt Angles Using an Innovative Jig with a Singular PV Module

Abstract

Researchers need reliable and accurate recording instruments or systems to obtain specific data for their research. Customizable systems are not always commercially available or may be too costly. The purpose of this paper is to present an innovative jig that can be used to automatically adjust a single PV module to different tilt angles throughout the day, while simultaneously recording and storing specific data for future analysis. The analysis should provide answers as to which tilt angle enables the highest yield of output power in a particular environment. To demonstrate the operation of the designed system, voltage and current values of a 20 W PV module were recorded for nine different tilt angles and at 10-minute intervals during the solar productive period of the day. The results were evaluated, and it was found that the recorded results from the designed system correlate well with previous research resulting in its validity. It is recommended that the designed innovative jig be used to record data from a singular PV module at multiple tilt angles under various environmental conditions.