Analysis of Irradiance Models for Bifacial PV Modules

Conference · Sun Nov 20 23:00:00 EST 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2016.7749564· OSTI ID:1343668

Hansen, Clifford W.; Stein, Joshua S.; Deline, Chris; MacAlpine, Sara; Marion, Bill; Asgharzadeh, Amir; Toor, Fatima

We describe and compare two methods for modeling irradiance on the back surface of rack-mounted bifacial PV modules: view factor models and ray-tracing simulations. For each method we formulate one or more models and compare each model with irradiance measurements and short circuit current for a bifacial module mounted a fixed tilt rack with three other similarly sized modules. Our analysis illustrates the computational requirements of the different methods and provides insight into their practical applications. We find a level of consistency among the models which indicates that consistent models may be obtained by parameter calibrations.

• Research Organization: NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States))
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S), SunShot Initiative
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1343668
• Report Number(s): NREL/CP-5J00-67943
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
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computational modeling
current measurement
data models
integrated circuit modeling
laboratories
ray tracing