TAGRA 2025

Whether due to the scarcity of fossil fuels or environmental concerns, humanity is rapidly realizing the importance of renewable energy sources and turning to them. Solar energy, among renewable energy sources, is a type of energy whose importance is rapidly increasing globally due to its environmental sustainability and economic viability. Especially in the fight against climate change, its low carbon emissions place solar energy in a privileged position among other energy sources. Photovoltaic (PV) systems are systems that convert direct solar radiation into electrical energy. However, the efficiency of PV systems depends not only on the panel technology but also directly on environmental factors such as the panel's installation angle (tilt), orientation, climatic conditions, atmospheric density, air temperature, and altitude. Within the scope of our country's energy needs, the main problem for Erzurum province, which has a high altitude and cold climate, is the lack of sufficient academic research in the implementation of solar power plants. In practice, it is observed that solar power plants in Erzurum are installed at a fixed angle. Erzurum province, being one of the highest altitude provinces in Turkey with the most pronounced continental climate characteristics, serves as an ideal example for this type of study. Erzurum has an average annual solar energy potential of 1,650 kWh/m²; however, the long winter season, high snow cover, and low temperatures significantly affect PV efficiency. Therefore, determining the optimum tilt angle for fixed-slope PV panel installations in high-altitude regions like Erzurum is both a scientific and economic necessity to increase energy efficiency. This study aims to determine the optimum installation angles of PV panels in Erzurum province during summer and winter periods, and to examine the effects of seasonal differences on efficiency in the context of physical, atmospheric, and geometric parameters.