Fixed or tracking solar collectors? Helping the decision process with the Solar Resource Enhancement Factor

摘要

The Solar Resource Enhancement Factor (SREF) method is proposed here to help solar system designers optimize their installations and decrease their risk. The method is based on solar radiation data from 239 sites in the United States to evaluate the variance in collected irradiation when using flat-plate and concentrating solar collectors (thermal or PV) mounted on fixed or tracking structures of various geometries. SREF can be predicted from readily available solar resource indicators and latitude for winter, summer or annual usage. An estimate of the year-to-year variability of the annual collected energy is also provided. The method should be accurate enough for use in most areas of the world.