Simulation analysis of a 3.37 MW PV system using bifacial modules in desert environment

Abstract

This study is conducted to investigate the performance of bifacial solar PV with high albedo in desert regions. High amount of radiation falls on the Arabian Peninsula where there is an average amount of 2200 kWh/m 2 annually and needs to be utilize as much as possible to get higher amount of energy. A 3.37 MW system is simulated by PVsyst software using two different scenarios which the first is without an axis tracker while the other is with a dual axis tracker to track the sunlight from all directions. When the tracking system is not included the yearly energy production set to be 6684 MWh/year where the system is simulated at a fixed mounting at a single direction facing the south at an optimum tilt angle of 25?. On the other hand, when the tracking system is set to be dual trackers at a minimum tilt angle of 0? and maximum tilt angle of 80? vertically, and minimum azimuth angle of -120 and maximum azimuth angle of -120? horizontally. There annual energy production is set to be 8897 MWh which has a gain of 25% using bifacial solar module with tracking system which can add a value to the solar PV projects and decrease the levelized cost of energy (LCOE).