A novel parameterization scheme for accurate and efficient radiation transfer modeling in large-scale PV power plants

With advances in technology, bifacial photovoltaic (PV) modules have become prevalent in large-scale PV power plants. Accurate and efficient calculation of solar radiation absorbed by the rear side of bifacial modules remains a critical challenge. The two-dimensional simplified method based on view factors offers a high-speed approach suitable for such large-scale applications, but overlooks the influence of module height, which leads to simulation biases. This study presents a novel parameterization scheme (PVRT) for modeling solar radiation transfer in large-scale PV power plants. The PVRT scheme takes module height into consideration, enabling both efficient and accurate calculations of radiation absorption by both sides of PV modules and the ground surface across various radiation scenarios and system configurations. Validation against high-precision simulations using the Helios ray-tracing model demonstrates that the PVRT scheme achieves a mean error within ±1 % of the incident solar radiation. Compared to previous methods exhibiting similar computational efficiency, the PVRT scheme reduces the mean absolute percentage error in rear side radiation absorption from around 30 % to within 8 %. Due to its accuracy and efficiency, the PVRT scheme can not only provide input for estimating PV power, but also be integrated with land surface models for investigating PV modules' effects on local environment, microclimate, and ecosystem beneath the modules.