Field Performance of South-Facing and East-West Facing Bifacial Modules in the Arctic

Christopher Pike, Erin Whitney, Michelle Wilber and Joshua S. Stein
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Christopher Pike: Alaska Center for Energy and Power, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
Erin Whitney: Alaska Center for Energy and Power, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
Michelle Wilber: Alaska Center for Energy and Power, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
Joshua S. Stein: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185, USA

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: This paper presents the first systematic comparison between south-facing monofacial and bifacial photovoltaic (PV) modules, as well as between south-facing bifacial and vertical east-west facing bifacial PV modules in Alaska. The state’s solar industry, driven by the high price of energy and dropping equipment costs, is quickly growing. The challenges posed by extreme sun angles in Alaska’s northern regions also present opportunities for unique system designs. Annual bifacial gains of 21% were observed between side by side south-facing monofacial and bifacial modules. Vertical east-west bifacial modules had virtually the same annual production as south-facing latitude tilt bifacial modules, but with different energy production profiles.

Keywords: Arctic; Alaska; solar photovoltaics (PV); renewable energy; bifacial PV (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 (4)

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