Performance analysis of n-type PERT bifacial solar PV module under diverse albedo conditions

Abstract

The additional gain in the energy yield of a bifacial solar photovoltaic (PV) module is mainly due to its ability to absorb the ground reflected irradiance (Albedo) through the rear surface of the module. Albedo is the critical characteristic that depends on the surface of the ground, the position of the sun, module clearance, module spacing, tilt angle, etc. The higher the value of albedo, the more is the bifacial gain and so the energy yield. This work investigates the performance of the ELAN series N-type passivated emitter rear totally diffused (PERT) bifacial PV module installed at latitude 9.673° N and longitude 77.964° E under diverse albedo conditions. The ground surface under the module is covered with different reflective materials and the performance parameters like albedo, bifacial gain, and the peak power output are calculated and compared. For aluminum reflective surface, the value of albedo is high and in the range of 0.50–0.57, with an average bifacial gain of 21.4%. The white reflective surface stands next with the value of albedo between 0.37 and 0.42, and an average bifacial gain of 18.9% followed by the reflective surfaces of cement, sand, and grass with an average bifacial gain of 12.8%, 7.8%, and 4.8% respectively. Depending upon the albedo and the bifacial gain, the bifacial solar PV produces the additional power gain. Overall, from the experimental results, it is observed that different reflective materials with different albedos produce different bifacial gain and peak output power depending on the operation conditions.