**4. Proposed Method**

The proposed method provides for the estimation of the accurate shadowing projection of PTCs for every solar hour. This process, it should be used to estimate the optimal use of area in accordance with the energy needs of PTC installations at a given location for a latitude done (Φ) based on the amount of solar gain and the inclination of the collector (<sup>α</sup>, angle relative to the horizontal PTC panel β).

In this way, the shadow projected on the ground for each PTC can be calculated using three directions: north, east, and west. For this, it is necessary to know the azimuth of the sun at the winter and summer solstices.

With the geometry and the tilt angle of the collector and using the data from the geometrical relations, shadows can be calculated for both of the corners of each PTC, and thus the surrounding polygon of the shadow path as a maximum area. Therefore, the envelope will be the exterior silhouette that forms the shadow for the period studied (see Figure 6). Thus, it is possible to calculate the minimum distance between the rows of PTCs avoid the effect of shadows in the period studied.

**Figure 6.** Proposed method: isometric view of PTC. (**A**) Shadowing at 10 a.m.; (**B**) Shadowing at 12 a.m.

Figure 7 shows a flowchart of the methodology followed where from the data of the PTC field location and its dimensions and inclination, all the necessary data for the calculation of the distance between pylons without shadowing are calculated.

**Figure 7.** Flowchart of the methodology for the calculation of the distance of a PTC row.
