Optimal Tilt Angle Determination of Solar PV Systems Using Field Measurements and Global Solar Atlas Data

This study presents an experimental and simulation-based analysis of solar panel tilt angle optimization for maximizing solar irradiance and energy generation in Amravati, Maharashtra, India (20.96°N, 77.75°E). Field measurements were conducted using an HTC LX-107 solar power meter and a clinometer to compare irradiance between a tilted (14°) and flat (0°) panel configuration. The experimental results demonstrate that tilted panels consistently receive higher solar irradiance than flat panels, with peak values reaching up to approximately 1100 W/m². To validate and extend the findings, Global Solar Atlas (GSA) simulation data was analyzed for different tilt angles, showing that a tilt angle close to the local latitude (20°–24°) provides maximum annual energy output. For a 3 kWp system, the simulated annual energy yield is 4.558 MWh/year at 20° tilt compared to 4.515 MWh/year at 14°, indicating a marginal but important improvement. The study confirms that south-facing orientation and tilt angles near the site latitude maximize solar energy generation. This work provides practical guidelines for residential and small-scale solar installations in semi-arid regions and demonstrates the effectiveness of combining field measurements with satellite-based data for solar PV optimization.