Performance of photovoltaics in non-optimal orientations: An experimental study

In this work the feasibility of PV working in non-optimal orientations will be explored by using two experimental setups: a photovoltaic façade with a southwest orientation and an architectural model of a building with the façades in the cardinal points, covered with PV. The results show interesting features, considering yearly and hourly generation profiles. Although the annual energy production for the façades and the roof is between 50% and 76% of an optimum angle installation, the façades have a more stable production along the year: monthly production can vary by a factor 2 vs a variation of factor 4 for irradiance. Moreover, the hourly production profiles are displaced from noon so they can match the demand. With some current net metering proposals, non-optimal orientations could even be more economical than the maximum producing orientation.