Детальная информация

The given work is devoted to investigating the optimization of solar panel integration in new low-rise residential buildings in Zimbabwe, addressing the critical need for sustainable energy solutions amidst severe national grid instability. The following goals are set in the graduate qualification work: 1. Determining the optimal building orientation (azimuth angle) and roof tilt angle that support high annual energy yield of fixed rooftop PV systems within the specific geographical and climatic context of Zimbabwe. 2. Quantifying the potential energy losses caused by deviations from the optimal orientation and tilt angle combinations. 3. Establishing the optimal configuration of these parameters to maximize energy self-sufficiency in new low-rise residential developments. The work was fulfilled using a combined approach of document analysis and numerical modelling. The methodology involved utilizing PVsyst 8.0.20 simulation software together with TMY data sourced from the Meteonorm 8.2 database. A comprehensive parametric grid search consisting of 444 individual simulation variants was executed, sweeping tilt angles  from 5° to 60° in 5° increments and azimuth angles  from −90° (due West) to +90° (due East) in 5° increments The study resulted in the determination of an absolute physical optimum configuration that maximizes annual Specific Production (SP) and minimizes annual system blackouts. The optimal tilt angle was found to be 10° to 15° and the optimal azimuth angle is 15° to 20° north-east. The analysis demonstrated that deviations from these optimal angles can lead to energy losses of up to 11%, while extreme misalignments — such as a 60° tilt or a 90° West azimuth — can reduce Specific Production by up to 25.6% and 18.4% respectively, causing significant annual system blackouts. Economic analysis over a 15-year project life yielded a levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of $0.128/kWh, which is lower than the projected ZESA tariff of $0.197/kWh, with a simple payback period (PBP) of 10.1 years and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 5.4%. The scope of the research results applies primarily to new low-rise residential buildings of up to two storeys in Zimbabwe and analogous low-latitude, subtropical locations in the Southern Hemisphere.  The results support a paradigm shift from post-construction retrofitting — building-applied photovoltaics (BAPV), solar panels — toward proactive design integration during the architectural planning phase. Practical recommendations for building developers, town planners, and architects. Developers should align main roof ridges along an East-Southeast to West-Northwest axis (100° to 105°) to place the primary north-facing roof slope within the absolute optimum azimuth window of +10° to +20° north-east and minimum pitch of 10° is recommended to ensure natural self-cleaning of solar panels providing maximum energy production.