Optimization of solar panel orientation and tracking systems for standalone PV applications

Abstract

The performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems is greatly influenced by the angle of arrival of sunlight and the geometric orientation of solar panels, especially in tropical regions with the potential for solar energy throughout the year. This study aims to evaluate the effect of tilt angle variation and tracking systems on energy output and performance indicators of standalone PV systems using PVsyst software. The simulation was conducted at the State University of Malang, Indonesia, by comparing four fixed-angle configurations (20°, 40°, 60°, and 80°) as well as a two-axis tracking system. The simulation results showed that the two-axis tracking system produced the highest normalized daily energy production of 6.8 kWh/kWp/day, with a performance ratio (PR) of 77.2% and a solar fraction (SF) of 97.1%, while a fixed configuration with an angle of 80° showed the lowest performance. These findings confirm the importance of selecting optimal panel orientation to maximize the efficiency of PV systems, as well as being the basis for the development of advanced research, such as field-based experiments, integration of adaptive MPPT algorithms, and economic feasibility studies in the application of PV systems in tropical and off-grid regions.