Impact of tilt angle on the performance of photovoltaic modules in Malaysia: a review

Surface tilt angle of a photovoltaic (PV) module is one of the most important parameters for receiving maximum solar irradiation falling on the solar arrays. However, this angle is site specific because it is dependent on the daily, monthly and yearly position of the Sun. Moreover, it is essential to determine the optimal tilt angle for the location in order to get the maximum energy from the solar PV system. Different methods have been used for determining the tilt angle at different locations worldwide. The performance of the PV system greatly depends on fixed and tracking system to adjust tilt angle. This article presents the up-to-date status of research and applications of different methods for analyzing the impact of tilt angle on the PV performance using various optimization methods. This article also puts forward analysis of the optimal tilt angle for acquiring maximum energy gain in Malaysia. From the study it is found that the optimal tilt angle in Malaysia is 15 ◇ . This review will extend knowledge for designers and researchers to determine the optimal tilt angle for the solar PV systems at any region in the Malaysia.