Modelling and Simulation of Bifacial PV Production Using Monofacial Electrical Models

Salim Bouchakour, Daniel Valencia-Caballero, Alvaro Luna, Eduardo Roman, El Amin Kouadri Boudjelthia and Pedro Rodríguez
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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

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 14, 1-16

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.

Keywords: analytical and empirical models; bifacial power generation modeling; bifacial solar panels; photovoltaic monitoring (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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