Abstract
The energy yield from bifacial solar photovoltaic (PV) systems can be enhanced by optimizing the tilt angle. Bifacial modules boost the energy yield by 4% to 15% depending on the module type and ground reflectivity with an average of 9%. The selection of tilt angle depends on several factors, including the geographical location, weather variation, etc. Compared to the variable tilt angle, a constant angle is preferred from the point of view of the cost of installation and the cost of maintenance. This paper proposes a new method for analysing bifacial modules. A simpler rear-side irradiance model is presented to estimate the energy yield of a bifacial solar photovoltaic module. The detailed analysis also explores the optimum tilt angle for the inclined south–north orientation to obtain the maximum possible yield from the module. Taking four regions into account, i.e., Kharagpur, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Thiruvananthapuram, in the Indian climate, we studied several cases. The Kharagpur system showed a monthly rear irradiance gain of 13%, and the Delhi climate showed an average performance ratio of 19.5%. We studied the impact of albedo and GCR on the tilt angle. Finally, the estimated model was validated with the PVSyst version 6.7.6 as well as real field test measurements taken from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) located in the USA.
Highlights
Accepted: 10 August 2021The increased interest in solar power becomes the key to the development of more efficient and different types of technology to harvest the sun rays [1]
The rear side irradiance modelling is divided into three categories:
The bifacial PV module front and rear energy productions were analysed from Jan to Dec of the year 2019 and compared with the PVSyst simulation monthly irradiance
Summary
The increased interest in solar power becomes the key to the development of more efficient and different types of technology to harvest the sun rays [1]. In previous papers [10,11,12,13,14,15,16], ray tracing, view factor, and empirical models were discussed to estimate backside irradiance. Using this concept, the irradiance of the rear side bifacial module is estimated. The rear side irradiance model used by PVSyst is briefly discussed to obtain more insight into the usefulness of the new model presented here
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