TY - JOUR
T1 - Performance analysis and comparison between bifacial and monofacial solar photovoltaic at various ground albedo conditions
AU - Alam, Marzia
AU - Gul, Mehreen Saleem
AU - Muneer, Tariq
N1 - Funding Information:
This project is being run in collaboration with four partners: Energy Technology Partnership (ETP), Scotland; Wood Group, UK Ltd; Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh Napier University, UK.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s)
PY - 2023/3
Y1 - 2023/3
N2 - This paper analyses and compares the performance between a bifacial and a monofacial PV system based on the tests conducted at Heriot-Watt University, UK. The module's performance was observed on different ground reflective surfaces: concrete, white tiles, soil, and white pebbles. The rear side irradiance and bifacial energy gains are analysed. The power output is examined for a sunny and cloudy days, and yearly energy mapping is shown. Correlation studies are performed, and empirical model are developed between (i) clearness index and rear irradiance gain: (ii) rear irradiance gain and bifacial energy gain; (iii) total irradiance and power output. Based on the annual rear irradiance gain analysis, the highest gain range is found for white pebbles and white tiles ground surface (>30% gain) and lowest for soil surface within the 5%-10% range and for concrete, >20%. Regardless of the ground reflective surface, the probability is low that the bifacial energy gain is more than 30%. Finally, a case study is discussed to perform a sensitivity analysis of a bifacial PV project's Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The sensitivity analysis shows that by using an enhanced ground albedo surface, the LCOE of the bifacial project can be reduced to 7.15p/kWh The results show consistency with simulations output ran in PVSyst for different locations across the UK and the reported bifacial gain worldwide.
AB - This paper analyses and compares the performance between a bifacial and a monofacial PV system based on the tests conducted at Heriot-Watt University, UK. The module's performance was observed on different ground reflective surfaces: concrete, white tiles, soil, and white pebbles. The rear side irradiance and bifacial energy gains are analysed. The power output is examined for a sunny and cloudy days, and yearly energy mapping is shown. Correlation studies are performed, and empirical model are developed between (i) clearness index and rear irradiance gain: (ii) rear irradiance gain and bifacial energy gain; (iii) total irradiance and power output. Based on the annual rear irradiance gain analysis, the highest gain range is found for white pebbles and white tiles ground surface (>30% gain) and lowest for soil surface within the 5%-10% range and for concrete, >20%. Regardless of the ground reflective surface, the probability is low that the bifacial energy gain is more than 30%. Finally, a case study is discussed to perform a sensitivity analysis of a bifacial PV project's Levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). The sensitivity analysis shows that by using an enhanced ground albedo surface, the LCOE of the bifacial project can be reduced to 7.15p/kWh The results show consistency with simulations output ran in PVSyst for different locations across the UK and the reported bifacial gain worldwide.
KW - Bifacial gain
KW - Bifacial PV
KW - Ground albedo
KW - Rear irradiance gain
KW - Specific yield
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85147255311&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ref.2023.01.005
DO - 10.1016/j.ref.2023.01.005
M3 - Article
SN - 1755-0084
VL - 44
SP - 295
EP - 316
JO - Renewable Energy Focus
JF - Renewable Energy Focus
ER -