IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v14y2021i14p4224-d593411.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Modelling and Simulation of Bifacial PV Production Using Monofacial Electrical Models

Author

Listed:
  • Salim Bouchakour

    (Centre de Développement des Energies Renouvelables, CDER, Algiers 16340, Algeria)

  • Daniel Valencia-Caballero

    (TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Mikeletegi Pasealekua 2, 20009 San Sebastián, Spain)

  • Alvaro Luna

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08222 Terrassa, Spain)

  • Eduardo Roman

    (TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Astondoa Bidea, Parque Tecnologico Bizkaia, Edif. 700, 48170 Zamudio, Spain)

  • El Amin Kouadri Boudjelthia

    (Centre de Développement des Energies Renouvelables, CDER, Algiers 16340, Algeria)

  • Pedro Rodríguez

    (Intelligent Clean Energy Systems (ICES), Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), L4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg)

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the use of monofacial PV models to simulate the production of bifacial PV systems over different albedos. Analytical and empirical models were evaluated using measured data obtained from three identical bifacial PV arrays: (1) with the backside covered by white plastic, (2) with normal albedo, and (3) with high albedo. The front-and rear-side irradiances were measured in order to integrate bifaciality of the modules into the models. The models showed good performance for non-real-time monitoring, especially under clear skies, and the analytical model was more accurate than the empirical model. The heatmap visualization technique was applied to six months of data in order to investigate the site conditions on the rear side of the modules as well as the accuracy of the models. The heatmap results of the rear- and front-sides irradiances showed that the installation conditions, such as the azimuth angles of the sun and the surrounding obstacles, had a strong impact on the energy received from the back of the modules. The heatmap results of the models validated the performance of the analytical model. The average daily errors for the analytical model were less than 1% and 3% for normal and high albedos, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Salim Bouchakour & Daniel Valencia-Caballero & Alvaro Luna & Eduardo Roman & El Amin Kouadri Boudjelthia & Pedro Rodríguez, 2021. "Modelling and Simulation of Bifacial PV Production Using Monofacial Electrical Models," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:14:p:4224-:d:593411
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/14/4224/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/14/4224/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gu, Wenbo & Ma, Tao & Li, Meng & Shen, Lu & Zhang, Yijie, 2020. "A coupled optical-electrical-thermal model of the bifacial photovoltaic module," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    2. Peng, Jinqing & Lu, Lin & Yang, Hongxing & Ma, Tao, 2015. "Validation of the Sandia model with indoor and outdoor measurements for semi-transparent amorphous silicon PV modules," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 316-323.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Bilal Taghezouit & Fouzi Harrou & Cherif Larbes & Ying Sun & Smail Semaoui & Amar Hadj Arab & Salim Bouchakour, 2022. "Intelligent Monitoring of Photovoltaic Systems via Simplicial Empirical Models and Performance Loss Rate Evaluation under LabVIEW: A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-30, October.
    2. 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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Li, Zihao & Zhang, Wei & He, Bo & Xie, Lingzhi & Chen, Mo & Li, Jianhui & Zhao, Oufan & Wu, Xin, 2022. "A comprehensive life cycle assessment study of innovative bifacial photovoltaic applied on building," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    2. Pan, Zhongjie & Liu, Jia & Wu, Huijun & Luo, Diqian & Huang, Jialong, 2025. "Theoretical-experimental-simulation research on thermal-daylight-electrical performance of PV glazing in high-rise office building in the Greater Bay Area," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 378(PA).
    3. Balaska, Amira & Tahri, Ali & Tahri, Fatima & Stambouli, Amine Boudghene, 2017. "Performance assessment of five different photovoltaic module technologies under outdoor conditions in Algeria," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 53-60.
    4. Wang, Meng & Peng, Jinqing & Luo, Yimo & Shen, Zhicheng & Yang, Hongxing, 2021. "Comparison of different simplistic prediction models for forecasting PV power output: Assessment with experimental measurements," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    5. Xie, Jixing & Tang, Haida & Lyu, Yuanli & Liu, Wenjie & Tian, Xiangning & Li, Chunying, 2024. "Energy, environmental and economic performance of bi-facial photovoltaic noise barrier applied in city scale," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(PA).
    6. Li, Senji & Chen, Zhenwu & Liu, Xing & Zhang, Xiaochun & Zhou, Yong & Gu, Wenbo & Ma, Tao, 2021. "Numerical simulation of a novel pavement integrated photovoltaic thermal (PIPVT) module," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    7. Peng, Jinqing & Curcija, Dragan C. & Lu, Lin & Selkowitz, Stephen E. & Yang, Hongxing & Zhang, Weilong, 2016. "Numerical investigation of the energy saving potential of a semi-transparent photovoltaic double-skin facade in a cool-summer Mediterranean climate," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 345-356.
    8. Ma, Tao & Guo, Zichang & Shen, Lu & Liu, Xing & Chen, Zhenwu & Zhou, Yong & Zhang, Xiaochun, 2021. "Performance modelling of photovoltaic modules under actual operating conditions considering loss mechanism and energy distribution," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).
    9. Zhang, Weilong & Lu, Lin & Peng, Jinqing, 2017. "Evaluation of potential benefits of solar photovoltaic shadings in Hong Kong," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 1152-1158.
    10. Zhang, Wei & Zhao, Oufan & Xie, Lingzhi & Li, Zihao & Wu, Xin & Zhong, Jianmei & Zeng, Xiding & Zou, Ruiwen, 2023. "Factors influence analysis and life cycle assessment of innovative bifacial photovoltaic applied on building facade," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    11. Preeti Kumari Sahu & J. N. Roy & Chandan Chakraborty & Senthilarasu Sundaram, 2021. "A New Model for Estimation of Energy Extraction from Bifacial Photovoltaic Modules," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-16, August.
    12. Cheng, Yuanda & Gao, Min & Jia, Jie & Sun, Yanyi & Fan, Yi & Yu, Min, 2019. "An optimal and comparison study on daylight and overall energy performance of double-glazed photovoltaics windows in cold region of China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 356-366.
    13. Tian, Xinyi & Wang, Jun & Wang, Chuyao & Ji, Jie, 2023. "Comparison analysis of the glazed and unglazed curved water-based PV/T roofs in the non-heating season," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 899-917.
    14. Zheng, Likai & Xuan, Yimin, 2021. "Performance estimation of a V-shaped perovskite/silicon tandem device: A case study based on a bifacial heterojunction silicon cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    15. Tian, Xinyi & Wang, Jun & Ji, Jie & Wang, Chuyao & Ke, Wei & Yuan, Shuang, 2023. "A multifunctional curved CIGS photovoltaic/thermal roof system: A numerical and experimental investigation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    16. Caixia Zhang & Honglie Shen & Hongzhi Liu, 2023. "The Influence of the Installation Condition and Performance of Bifacial Solar Modules on Energy Yield," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-17, November.
    17. Arias-Rosales, Andrés & LeDuc, Philip R., 2020. "Comparing View Factor modeling frameworks for the estimation of incident solar energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    18. Peng, Jinqing & Lu, Lin & Wang, Meng, 2019. "A new model to evaluate solar spectrum impacts on the short circuit current of solar photovoltaic modules," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 29-37.
    19. Abdelhakim Mesloub & Ghazy Abdullah Albaqawy & Mohd Zin Kandar, 2020. "The Optimum Performance of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Windows Under a Semi-Arid Climate in Algerian Office Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-38, February.
    20. Gong, Quan & Lu, Lin & Chen, Jianheng, 2024. "Progress in radiative cooling materials for urban skin: Achievements in scalability, durability, color modulation, and intelligent thermal regulation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(PB).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:14:p:4224-:d:593411. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.