Spacing Analysis of an Inclined Solar Collector Field

Spacing between the adjacent collectors in a solar field is an important parameter which effects the shading and hence the energy conversion from collectors. Land value has an important bearing on the spacing between the collectors. A computer code has been developed to predict the change in incident energy on the collectors for various spacing distances between them. The code couples general shading models with the local weather data (TMY2). This can be used to calculate shadow area on the collectors from their adjacent collectors for different times of the day for various spacing distances. Variation of shadow area of the collectors for various spacing distances is presented for various time periods. It has been observed that near sunrise and sunset the percent shading area of a system is generally higher, but its influence on the overall energy collection is relatively less due to the decreased solar insolation available during those times of the day. The variation of annual energy received for various spacing distances is presented. Results are given for locations in the Southwestern region of the US including Las Vegas, Phoenix and Albuquerque. Economic implications of these results are discussed.