Abstract Optimizing photovoltaic (PV) panel orientation is crucial to maximize their value. While energy collection is often the primary focus, revenue optimization requires considering additional factors. This study contributes to the growing analysis of optimum orientation for revenue by investigating commercial and residential buildings across four US cities with three tariff plans. Using PVWatts API version 8, annual and biannual orientations are analyzed for each location and building type. Results show that the maximum difference in savings between energy-oriented and savings-oriented panels is 2.45% (annual) and 3.12% (biannual). Analysis reveals that when export value is nonexistent, optimum orientation prioritizes peak hour collection. In contrast, when export value exceeds import, optimum orientation targets low-electricity periods. In addition, when the only choices for the orientation of a PV panel are the angles of different roof races of a building, there is a significant difference in the optimum energy/savings output when comparing the different optimum roof sides. Notably, commercial buildings' optimum revenue orientation is closer to energy optimization than residential buildings, resulting in smaller differences in savings. This study highlights the importance of considering revenue optimization and tariff structures when determining the ideal PV panel orientation, leading to increased savings and value for building owners. The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing PV systems, demonstrating that a comprehensive approach considering multiple factors is essential for maximizing the value of PV installations.
Brenner et al. (Fri,) studied this question.