Joshua Girgis

Solar Panel Angle and Hydrostatics for Metocean Data Buoy

Finding best solar panel angle
Suppose a buoy is out at sea with an unknown latitude and longitude. The sun rises and sets. The
energy that the buoy receives, from its solar panel, will be based on the solar irradiance.
However, the angle of the solar panel must be taken into consideration as well. Using spherical
trigonometry, as seen in the Earth model below, the sun is taken to be at the intersection of
angles small “a” and small “b” (or right above angle big “C”). The buoy is taken to be at the
intersection of angles small “c” and small a (or right above angle big “B”). Above angle big “A”
can be defined as the zenith or north pole of the Earth. Small “b” is the co-angle of the sun to the
zenith. Small “c” is the co-angle for the tilt of the solar panel on the buoy. Small “a” would by
the rotation of the sun, from the normal plane of the buoy, as it sets and rises across the buoy.
The big “A” rotation of the Sun determines how much the solar panel “see’s” the sun.

Using the Cosine rule to relate the angles:

cos(𝑎) = cos(𝑏) ∗ cos(𝑐) ∗ sin(𝑏) ∗ sin(𝑐) ∗ cos⁡(𝐴)
Since these are co-angles measured relative to the zenith, measuring relative to the plane of the
buoy requires the co-angle to be taken again.
cos(𝑎) = sin(𝑏) ∗ sin(𝑐) ∗ cos(𝑏) ∗ cos(𝑐) ∗ cos⁡(𝐴)
The Cosine of small angle “a” is the power-factor that will determine how much relative power
the solar panel receives.
Integrating this for varying angles of “a” yields:
𝑠𝑒𝑡
∫ sin(𝑏) ∗ sin(𝑐) ∗ cos(𝑏) ∗ cos(𝑐) ∗ cos(𝐴) 𝑑𝐴
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒

Where at a = 90°  cos(a) = 0°

 − sin(𝑏) ∗ sin(𝑐)
Rise, Set = ⁡ ± cos −1 ( ) = ± cos −1(− tan(𝑏) ∗ tan⁡(𝑐))
cos(𝑏) ∗ cos(𝑐)

Where rise and set are the limits that the solar panel will see the sun in the horizon.
Integrating:
𝑠𝑒𝑡
Total Energy throughout the day = ((sin(𝑏) ∗ sin(𝑐)) ∗ 𝐴 + cos(𝑏) ∗ cos(𝑐) ∗ sin(𝐴)) {
𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒
At some angle, the solar panel will cease to ever stop seeing the sun in the day because its
tilt will be low enough to see the sun for any altitude. Through trigonometry, if (− tan(𝑏) ∗
tan⁡(𝑐)) > −1 then there will be a rise and set on the solar panel. If (− tan(𝑏) ∗ tan⁡(𝑐)) < −1
then the rise and set saturates to a value of ±𝜋. Dividing the total energy throughout the day by
2𝜋 allows for a multiplication factor to account for energy lost by the tilt of the panel. Assuming
a sun altitude of 45 degrees at that point in time, the following spreadsheet below has been
described.
Sun altitude tilt -tan(tilt) * tan(alt) acos(-tan(tilt)*tan(alt)) Total Energy Energy Factor

45 0 0.000 1.571 1.414 0.225079079

5 -0.087 1.658 1.608 0.255895472
10 -0.176 1.748 1.800 0.286508369
15 -0.268 1.842 1.990 0.316768438
20 -0.364 1.943 2.178 0.346598229
25 -0.466 2.056 2.363 0.376018206
30 -0.577 2.186 2.546 0.405197441
35 -0.700 2.346 2.730 0.434563123
40 -0.839 2.566 2.922 0.465097913
45 -1.000 3.142 3.142 0.5
50 -1.192 3.142 3.403 0.54167522
55 -1.428 3.142 3.639 0.579227965
60 -1.732 3.142 3.848 0.612372436
65 -2.145 3.142 4.027 0.640856382
70 -2.747 3.142 4.175 0.664463024
75 -3.732 3.142 4.291 0.683012702
80 -5.671 3.142 4.375 0.69636424
85 -11.430 3.142 4.426 0.704416026
90 -1.63E+16 3.142 4.443 0.707106781

As one can see, the energy factor is at an all-time high of 90 degrees. This is because the normal
vector to the solar panel is 90 degrees up (flat panel). It is the peak power because it mainly does
not have a time where it does not see the sun during the day.
Therefore, that can be used to calculate the amount of power supplied to the buoy.
TILT ENERGY PANEL PANEL CURRENT PERCENT AVERAGE
FACTOR VOLTAGE WATTS EFFICIENCY SUPPLIED
(TILT) WATTS
0 0.225079079 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.292602803
5 0.255895472 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.332664113
10 0.286508369 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.372460879
15 0.316768438 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.41179897
20 0.346598229 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.450577698
25 0.376018206 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.488823667
30 0.405197441 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.526756674
35 0.434563123 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.56493206
40 0.465097913 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.604627287
45 0.5 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.65
50 0.54167522 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.704177787
55 0.579227965 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.752996355
60 0.612372436 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.796084166
65 0.640856382 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.833113297
70 0.664463024 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.863801932
75 0.683012702 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.887916512
80 0.69636424 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.905273512
85 0.704416026 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.915740834
90 0.707106781 17.3 10 0.578034682 13.00% 0.919238816

In conclusion the best orientation for the 10W solar panel is flat.
Finding the Waterline

1.31
Thick

Practically, the buoy will be deployed into the riverbed, or ocean, and take up some volume of
water. Archimedes' principle states that the upward buoyant force that is exerted on the buoy,
immersed or partially submersed in a fluid, is equal to the weight of the fluid that the body
displaces acting in the upward direction oriented around the center of mass of the displaced fluid.
Therefore:
𝑊 = 𝛾𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 ∗ 𝑉𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑

Where:
𝑊 is the weight of the buoy 𝛾𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 is the specific weight of the fluid

𝑉𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 is the volume of the fluid displaced.

For our case where the buoy will be partially submerged in a salty riverbed, brine, or ocean
setting, the specific gravity is:
 𝑙𝑏
𝛾𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 = 0.03721
𝑖𝑛3

Additionally, the shape of the buoy neglecting the aluminum bars for mooring is of the shape of
a frustum as seen below.

The volume of the buoy can be split into two frustums. If one were to look at the figure above
upside down, the buoy shape can be seen. The top part of the buoy, with the first chine will be
labeled as frustum one. The lower part as frustum two, as seen in the first figure. The first step in
finding the waterline’s elevation
The upper radius R of the buoy can be treated as a function of height. For the first frustum, the
given geometry yields the equation is
7.5 7.5
ℎ1 = 𝑅1 − 15.345 ∗ ( )
0.656 0.656
6 6
ℎ2 = 𝑅2 − 8 ∗ ( )
7.34 7.34
Where:
ℎ1 is the variable height of a frustum from the end of the first chine to the top of the buoy
ℎ2 is the variable height of a frustum from the end of the second chine to the end of the top chine
In this case the h variables will be used as heights of a waterline for the partially submerged
buoy.

Solving for R1 and R2 :

 7.5 0.656 0.656
𝑅1 = (ℎ1 + 15.345 ∗ ( )) ∗ = ℎ + 15.345
0.656 7.5 7.5 1

6 7.34 6
𝑟1 = 𝑅2 = (ℎ2 + 8 ∗ ( )) ∗ = ℎ +8
7.34 6 7.34 2

2
𝜋 0.656 0.656
𝑉𝑓1 = ( ∗ ℎ1 ∗ (( ℎ1 + 15.345) + 15.3452 + ( ℎ + 15.345) ∗ 15.345)) 𝑖𝑛3
3 7.5 7.5 1

Simplifying:
𝑉𝑓1 = (0.0080115 ∗ ℎ13 + 4.21657 ∗ ℎ12 + 739.748 ∗ ℎ1 )𝑖𝑛3

2
𝜋 6 6
𝑉𝑓2 = ( ∗ ℎ2 ∗ (( ℎ2 + 8) + 82 + ( ℎ + 8) ∗ 8)) 𝑖𝑛3
3 7.34 7.34 2

Simplifying:
𝑉𝑓2 = (0.699744 ∗ ℎ23 + 20.5445 ∗ ℎ22 + 64𝜋 ∗ ℎ2 )𝑖𝑛3

Therefore, the weight of the frustum 2 can be used to find ℎ2⁡ if we assume that frustum two is
separately submerged in the water.
It is known, from solid CAD modeling software, that the weight of the second frustum with the
additional payload and bars is equal to 32.64 lb.
𝑙𝑏
32.64⁡𝑙𝑏 = 0.03721 3
∗ (0.699744 ∗ ℎ23 + 20.5445 ∗ ℎ22 + 64𝜋 ∗ ℎ2 )𝑖𝑛3
𝑖𝑛
Solving: ℎ2⁡ ≈ 3.201⁡𝑖𝑛⁡
Similarly, the top half weighs 59.54 lb:
2
𝑙𝑏 𝜋 0.656 0.656
59.54⁡𝑙𝑏 = 0.03721 ( ∗ ℎ1 ∗ (( ℎ1 + 15.345) + 15.3452 + ( ℎ + 15.345) ∗ 15.345)) 𝑖𝑛3
3
𝑖𝑛 3 7.5 7.5 1

Solving: ℎ1⁡ ≈ 2.137⁡𝑖𝑛

Therefore, using superposition, where the two frustums are partially submerged together, the
total height of the waterline, measured from the bottom of the buoy becomes
ℎ = ℎ1 + ℎ2 = 5.338⁡𝑖𝑛
Force Analysis

Neglecting the wind drag force on the bars, the only drag force will be on the buoy’s hull and the
solar panel, (at 0 degrees tilt). The force of the drag is given by
𝐶𝑑
𝐹= ∗ 𝜌𝑎𝑖𝑟 ∗ 𝐴⁡ ∗ 𝑣 2
2
At 5.338 in. above the bottom of the buoy, the distance to the top is rougly 8.69 in, the
coefficienct of drag for the horizontal projection can be approximated to that of a short cylinder.
Therefore,
𝐶𝑑2
𝐹2 = ∗ 𝜌𝑎𝑖𝑟 ∗ 𝐴2 ∗ 𝑣 2
2
1.15 𝑙𝑏
𝐹2 = ∗ 0.0000461 3 ∗ (8.69 ∗ 34)𝑖𝑛2 ∗ 𝑣 2 ≈ (0.00783 ∗ 𝑣 2 )⁡𝑙𝑏
2 𝑖𝑛
And for a flat rectangular plate (i.e. the solar panel) the force is equal to
𝐶𝑑1
𝐹1 = ∗ 𝜌 ∗ 𝐴1 ∗ 𝑣 2
2
(for configuration of the 1.31in x 12.9 in side of the solar panel facing the wind)
2 𝑙𝑏
𝐹1 = ∗ 0.0000461 3 ∗ (1.31 ∗ 12.9)𝑖𝑛2 ∗ 𝑣 2 ≈ (0.000779 ∗ 𝑣 2 )⁡𝑙𝑏
2 𝑖𝑛

(for configuration of the 1.31in x 14.1 in side of the solar panel facing the wind)
2 𝑙𝑏
𝐹1 = ∗ 0.0000461 3 ∗ (1.31 ∗ 14.1)𝑖𝑛2 ∗ 𝑣 2 ≈ (0.000852 ∗ 𝑣 2 )⁡𝑙𝑏
2 𝑖𝑛

Doing a force balance: the force of the moor line on the buoy must be equivalent to F1+F2.
𝐹𝑚𝑜𝑜𝑟 = 0.001631 ∗ 𝑣 2
The location of the resultant force, not including the mooring force, can be found by taken a
moment balance about the mooring point. (Note: The distance between the bottom of the buoy to
the mooring ring is 2.93 inches)
⁡
8.69
↺+ ∑ 𝑀𝑚𝑜𝑜𝑟 = 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑠 ∗ 𝑥⁡ = −F1 ∗ (1.31⁡in + 14⁡in + 2.93⁡in) − F2 ∗ ( 𝑖𝑛 + +5.338⁡𝑖𝑛 + 2.93⁡𝑖𝑛)
2
⁡

Where:
𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑠 is the resultant force (F1+F2)
𝑥 is the distance 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑠 is located from a plane horizontally coincident to the bottom of the mooring
connection. Therefore:
⁡

↺+ ∑ 𝑀𝑚𝑜𝑜𝑟 = −𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑠 ∗ 𝑥⁡ = −F1 ∗ (18.24⁡in) − F2 ∗ (12.613⁡𝑖𝑛)

⁡

Substituting the force equations (using the larger area case for maximum force):
⁡

↺+ ∑ 𝑀𝑚𝑜𝑜𝑟 = −((0.00783 ∗ 𝑣 2 ) + (0.000852 ∗ 𝑣 2 )) ∗ 𝑥⁡

⁡
= −(0.000852 ∗ 𝑣 2 ) ∗ (18.24⁡in) − (0.00783 ∗ 𝑣 2 ) ∗ (12.613⁡𝑖𝑛)
Velocity squared divides out and x reduces to 13.165 inches vertically from the mooring
connection.
For various wind speeds, up to 25 knots, the table below shows the tension required on the
mooring to satisfy equilibrium.
V FMOOR
(KNOTS) (LB) Fmoor (lb) vs Wind Speed (knots)
1 0.678757
450
2 2.715028
3 6.108813
4 10.86011 400
5 16.96892
6 24.43525
350
7 33.25909
8 43.44045
9 54.97931 300
10 67.8757
11 82.12959
250
12 97.741
13 114.7099
14 133.0364 200
15 152.7203
16 173.7618 150
17 196.1608
18 219.9173
19 245.0313 100
20 271.5028
21 299.3318 50
22 328.5184
23 359.0624
24 390.964 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
25 424.2231
Finding Righting Moment
↺+ (−𝑀) = 𝑘 ∗ Ө𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠
Where:
M is the righting moment
k is the stiffness of the buoy
Ө𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠 is the projected tilt angle in radians

𝑘 = ⁡𝜌 ∗ 𝑔∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 + 𝜌 ∗ 𝑔 ∗ 𝑧𝑏 ∗ 𝑉 − 𝑚𝑔 ∗ 𝑧𝑐𝑔

This equation simplifies to:

𝑘 = ⁡𝜌 ∗ 𝑔 ∗ 𝐼𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 + 𝜌 ∗ 𝑔 ∗ 𝑧𝑏 ∗ 𝑉 − 𝑚𝑔 ∗ 𝑧𝑐𝑔

𝜋
𝐼= ∗ (𝐷)4
64
For a vertical displacement of 5.338 in, which is between 0 and 6, lying in the second chine, the
equation to calculate R2 on a frustum can be used to ultimately find the moment of inertia.
6
𝑅= (5.338) + 8 = 12.364⁡𝑖𝑛
7.34
So:
𝜋
𝐼𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 = ∗ (2 ∗ 12.364)2 = 18353.8⁡𝑖𝑛4
64
From solid works 𝑧𝑏 = 3.918 and 𝑧𝑐𝑔 = 8.4681 (both measured from the buoy bottom)

Measured from the water line:

𝑧𝑏 = 5.338-3.918=1.462
𝑧𝑐𝑔 = 5.338-8.4681=3.1301 (above the waterline).

The volume displaced is 3683.82 in^3 according to solid works.

𝑙𝑏 𝑙𝑏 2.865042 in
𝑘 = ⁡0.03721 3
∗ 18353.8⁡𝑖𝑛4 + 0.03721 3 ∗ 1.462⁡𝑖𝑛 ∗ 3683.82⁡in3 − 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑠 ∗ 386.09 2 ⁡
𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑛 12 s
⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡∗ 8.4681⁡𝑖𝑛⁡⁡
Therefore:
↺+ 𝑀 = −300672⁡𝑙𝑏 ∗ 𝑖𝑛 ∗ Ө𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠
As the angle increases the moment of inertia of the plane of the water line changes. The moment
of inertia is assumed to change an insignificant amount for angles under 5 degrees. The table
below shows the righting moment required for selected angle expectations.

THETA M M
(DEGREE) (LB*IN) (LB*FT)
1 -5245.97 -437.164
2 -10491.9 -874.329
3 -15737.9 -1311.49
4 -20983.9 -1748.66
5 -26229.9 -2185.82