Optimisation of Tilt Angle, Orientation, and Building Aspect Ratio for Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Energy Performance in a Tropical Climate: A Case Study of Lagos, Nigeria

With the rapid advancement of solar energy, accurate solar irradiance data at different tilt angles are increasingly needed for PV system design. However, measuring irradiance at all possible angles is impractical, necessitating simulation-based approaches to identify optimal PV configurations. To overcome this limitation, a hybrid model is proposed that uses complementary approaches to estimate solar power generation at different angles, the energy performance of different orientations and the impact of aspect ratio on building geometry energy performance. Hence, the generation of clean energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) panels has been attracting significant global attention in recent decades. Understanding the relationship between tilt angle, building orientation, and aspect ratio can enhance the performance of electricity output in solar PV energy systems for buildings. This study aims to evaluate the impact of optimal tilt angle (OTA), orientation, and building aspect ratio with respect to electricity production. The results from modelling and simulating a 100 m2 floor area show that square-shaped buildings (10 × 10 m) yielded the best energy demand compared to rectangular ones. South-facing PV modules at a tilt angle of 10° yielded optimal energy production of 52.8% (3040 kWh). The optimised design achieved a 12.18% increase in annual energy production compared with the baseline, thereby enhancing the building’s renewable energy contribution and overall energy performance under the tropical African climate of Lagos, Nigeria. The results indicated that understanding the relationship between these parameters can lead to a more efficient system configuration, reduce energy wastage, and enhance sustainable energy demand in buildings.