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In-field characterization of key performance parameters for bifacial photovoltaic installation in a desert climate

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  • Baloch, Ahmer A.B.
  • Hammat, Said
  • Figgis, Benjamin
  • Alharbi, Fahhad H.
  • Tabet, Nouar

Abstract

To address the main challenges inhibiting the adoption of bifacial PV technology in hot desert environment, continuous performance monitoring and comprehensive analyses are timely required. Therefore, for strengthening its bankability, this techno-economic study presents an in-field bifacial parametric analysis for the environment of Middle-East. Impacts of ground coverage ratio (GCR), stand-alone/in-array mounted losses, albedo, module temperature, mounting height, tilt, and azimuth angle were quantified. To highlight the bifacial potential, economic analysis as a function of energy gain and investment premium was carried out for demarcating profitable operating zones. Moreover, multi-variable analysis for rear irradiance was performed using ground coverage ratio, height, albedo and array size, specifically:1 × 1 (free-standing module), 3 × 3 and 5 × 5. It was found that for systems where the land costs are significant, high GCR coupled with increased mounting height would result in a better energy yield per area. Module with a bifacial gain of 8.6% was found to be profitable provided that the bifacial premium investment doesn’t exceed 10% of monofacial. Thermally, bifacial power gain was found to determine the cell temperature under different irradiation conditions. The study reveals vital insights that will allow engineers and researchers to optimize bifacial PV performance in hot and sunny desert climates.

Suggested Citation

  • Baloch, Ahmer A.B. & Hammat, Said & Figgis, Benjamin & Alharbi, Fahhad H. & Tabet, Nouar, 2020. "In-field characterization of key performance parameters for bifacial photovoltaic installation in a desert climate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 50-63.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:159:y:2020:i:c:p:50-63
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.05.174
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    1. Hayibo, Koami Soulemane & Petsiuk, Aliaksei & Mayville, Pierce & Brown, Laura & Pearce, Joshua M., 2022. "Monofacial vs bifacial solar photovoltaic systems in snowy environments," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 657-668.
    2. Prasad, Manendra & Prasad, Ramendra, 2023. "Bifacial vs monofacial grid-connected solar photovoltaic for small islands: A case study of Fiji," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 686-702.
    3. Ortega, Eneko & Suarez, Sergio & Jimeno, Juan Carlos & Gutierrez, Jose Rubén & Fano, Vanesa & Otaegi, Aloña & Rivas, Jose Manuel & Navas, Gustavo & Fernandez, Ignacio & Rodriguez-Conde, Sofia, 2024. "An statistical model for the short-term albedo estimation applied to PV bifacial modules," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    4. Michelle Kitayama da Silva & Mehreen Saleem Gul & Hassam Chaudhry, 2021. "Review on the Sources of Power Loss in Monofacial and Bifacial Photovoltaic Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-29, November.
    5. Rodrigo, Pedro M. & Mouhib, Elmehdi & Fernandez, Eduardo F. & Almonacid, Florencia & Rosas-Caro, Julio C., 2024. "Comprehensive ground coverage analysis of large-scale fixed-tilt bifacial photovoltaic plants," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    6. Tina, Giuseppe Marco & Bontempo Scavo, Fausto & Merlo, Leonardo & Bizzarri, Fabrizio, 2021. "Analysis of water environment on the performances of floating photovoltaic plants," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 281-295.

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