Modelling Bifacial Solar Energy Yield for Single-Axis Tracked Systems with Racking

Abstract

This paper presents a bifacial PV energy yield simulation tool with highly-parameterized optical and electrical models. The resulting detailed irradiance profiles provide insight into the effects of rack shading. Horizontal parallel wiring architecture of cells in the module is found to mitigate nonuniform rear irradiance caused by torque tube shading in a single-axis tracked system for representative cloudy and clear days. Low cell shunt resistance is shown to amplify bifacial gain during low irradiance hours. Annual energy yield predictions for fixed and tracked bifacial PV systems for Ottawa, ON are also presented.