For the case alpha > 0:
The lowest energy configuration for the dumb-bell is when it is parallel to the defined Z-axis
For the case alpha < 0:
The lowest energy configuration for the dumb-bell is when it is in the xy plane and it does not matter which direction in the xy-plane.
For the case alpha = 0:
Any configuration is possible as the quadrupole energy will always be equal to zero. The total energy is thus independent of direction of the dumb-bell.