TY - JOUR
T1 - Value of bifacial photovoltaics used with highly reflective ground materials on singleaxis trackers and fixed-tilt systems: a Danish case study
AU - Riedel-Lyngskær, Nicholas Chistopher
AU - Poulsen, Peter Behrensdorff
AU - Jakobsen, Michael Linde
AU - Nørgård, Per Bromand
AU - Vedde, Jan
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - The energy produced by bifacial photovoltaic (PV) arrays can be augmented via albedo enhancements. However, the
value of the additional energy must outweigh the costs for such modifications to be economically viable. In this work, the
electrical performance and economic value of six 13 kWp crystalline-silicon (c-Si) PV arrays with distinct configurations are
evaluated. The system designs include horizontal single axis trackers (HSAT) and 25° fixed-tilt structures, monofacial and
bifacial PV panels, and low and high ground albedo. The value of the system designs is assessed using onsite electrical
measurements and spot prices from the Nord Pool electricity market. We find that HSAT systems increase the annual value
factor (VF) by 4% and decrease levelized cost of energy (LCOE) by 3.5 EUR/MWh relative to fixed-tilt systems. The use of
bifacial panels can increase the VF by 1% and decrease LCOE by 4.0 EUR/MWh. However, a negligible VF increase and
modest LCOE decrease was found in systems with bifacial panels and ground albedo enhancements. Although our results
show that albedo enhancements result in lower LCOE than designs without, the uncertainty in upfront and ongoing costs of
altering the ground in utility-scale PV parks makes the solution presently unadvisable.
AB - The energy produced by bifacial photovoltaic (PV) arrays can be augmented via albedo enhancements. However, the
value of the additional energy must outweigh the costs for such modifications to be economically viable. In this work, the
electrical performance and economic value of six 13 kWp crystalline-silicon (c-Si) PV arrays with distinct configurations are
evaluated. The system designs include horizontal single axis trackers (HSAT) and 25° fixed-tilt structures, monofacial and
bifacial PV panels, and low and high ground albedo. The value of the system designs is assessed using onsite electrical
measurements and spot prices from the Nord Pool electricity market. We find that HSAT systems increase the annual value
factor (VF) by 4% and decrease levelized cost of energy (LCOE) by 3.5 EUR/MWh relative to fixed-tilt systems. The use of
bifacial panels can increase the VF by 1% and decrease LCOE by 4.0 EUR/MWh. However, a negligible VF increase and
modest LCOE decrease was found in systems with bifacial panels and ground albedo enhancements. Although our results
show that albedo enhancements result in lower LCOE than designs without, the uncertainty in upfront and ongoing costs of
altering the ground in utility-scale PV parks makes the solution presently unadvisable.
KW - Bifacial photovoltaics
KW - Albedo
KW - Value factor
KW - Single axis tracker
KW - Nord Pool spot power market
U2 - 10.1049/iet-rpg.2020.0580
DO - 10.1049/iet-rpg.2020.0580
M3 - Journal article
SN - 1752-1416
VL - 14
SP - 3946
EP - 3953
JO - IET Renewable Power Generation
JF - IET Renewable Power Generation
IS - 9
ER -