Optimizing Tilt Angles: Enhancing PV Energy Output and Reducing Power Costs Across Diverse Climates

The tilt angle of photovoltaic (PV) panels is a critical factor in maximizing energy yield and reducing power generation costs, particularly across diverse climate zones. This study presents an enhanced optimization approach for monthly tilt angle adjustments, integrating anisotropic solar radiation modeling with ambient temperature effects. Six geographically distinct locations were analyzed to determine the optimal monthly and annual tilt angles, which varied significantly—from as low as 1° to over 58°—based on latitude and seasonal conditions. Simulation results demonstrate that monthly tilt optimization increases the annual energy output by 8.8–9.9% compared to that under a fixed annual tilt configuration. Accounting for ambient temperature further improves energy gains and reduces the overall cost of power generation. The results emphasize that while monthly adjustments offer the greatest benefits, seasonal or biannual adjustments still capture a substantial portion of the performance improvement. In this research, the PV system's annual and monthly energy generation, as well as system losses, is also analyzed and discussed to provide a comprehensive performance evaluation. This study underscores the importance of climate-specific PV panel orientation strategies to optimize efficiency and cost effectiveness. The proposed methodology serves as a practical framework for both system designers and policymakers aiming to improve the performance of solar installations under varying environmental conditions. It supports smarter deployment of solar technologies, contributing to more resilient and economically sustainable energy systems.