Title :
Performance evaluation of bifacial photovoltaic modules for urban application
Author :
Kasahara, Naoya ; Yoshioka, Kazuya ; Saitoh, Tadashi
Author_Institution :
Tokyo A&T Univ., Japan
Abstract :
Performance evaluation of bifacial photovoltaic (PV) modules for urban application has been carried out. Simulation is performed by the computer program, PVFORM, with METPV. Hourly and monthly power generation properties are calculated at various azimuths. Outdoor measurements are carried out as quasi-bifacial modules by combining two monofacial PV modules. Additionally, albedo effect on module performance is investigated. As a result, the annual amount of generated energy does not depend on azimuth. It is possible that the generated power of vertically installed bifacial modules is more than 80% of that generated by monofacial type installed on a south-inclined surface at the optimum tilt. Moreover, the surrounding environment has a great effect on the power output. It is possible to obtain higher power output than the monofacial modules by selecting an appropriate place for installation. Therefore, bifacial PV modules are more advantageous than the monofacial one for urban application.
Keywords :
albedo; building integrated photovoltaics; digital simulation; solar cells; METPV; PVFORM; albedo effect; bifacial photovoltaic modules; computer program; meteorological test data for photovoltaic system; monofacial PV modules; power generation properties; power output; quasibifacial modules; simulation; urban application; vertically installed bifacial modules;
Conference_Titel :
Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, 2003. Proceedings of 3rd World Conference on
Conference_Location :
Osaka, Japan
Print_ISBN :
4-9901816-0-3