In this paper, the Genetic Algorithm (GA) is implemented to calculate the
optimum tilt and surface azimuth angle for solar system surfaces to receive
maximum solar radiation. Sabha city in Libya is selected to verify the results of
GA. The optimum surface orientation angles and the flat surface input solar
energies for these angles are calculated in monthly and yearly bases. Then, The
comparison of different optimizations of GA and South-Facing for an inclined
surface was compared with the horizontal surface in a year and the energy
gained was investigated. The total extra solar energy gained in one year for the
yearly optimized surface angles of GA and South-Facing compared to the
horizontal surface are 10.8% and 10.3%, respectively. The total extra solar
energy gained in one year for the monthly optimized surface angles of GA and
South-Facing compared to the horizontal surface are 18.72% and 18.03%,
respectively. The yearly optimum tilt angle of the generic algorithm was 30.4°
where the azimuth was at -19°. In another result, the yearly optimum tilt angle
of south-facing was 29°. It has been figured out that the yearly optimum tilt
angle of both was closed to the latitude of the location. Furthermore, the results
indicate that the monthly based optimization improved the energy gain higher
than the yearly based optimization. The genetic algorithm optimization
performed better results than the conventional south facing optimization
although the difference of the results was not significant for both yearly and
monthly total incident solar radiation.
Keywords: Solar energy, Solar radiation, Orientation angles, Optimization