Bifacial solar modules are increasingly used in larger solar projects. But it is still not clear whether and how much advantage they bring compared to monofacial modules. The module manufacturer Trina Solar has therefore investigated the additional yields due to the additional electricity production on the back side in two case studies in Europe - one in Spain and one in Germany - and summarised the results in a guide and applied them to the planning of solar plants with bifacial modules.
Economic efficiency considered
The analysts focused on free-standing installations and considered both fixed elevated and tracker installations. With the guide, Trina Solar wants to support planners and also investors in making the right decision. This is because the study covers all aspects of building solar plants with bifacial modules - from the specifics of installation to the economic viability of the plants.
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That is why the studies of the two plants on which the guide is based not only evaluated technical aspects such as design optimisation and module efficiency, but also economic factors such as internal rate of return (IRR), capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX).
Arriving at the right system design
The authors of the guide pay special attention to the yield and efficiency of bifacial modules, which are more difficult to calculate in project planning than when using monofacial modules. Finally, the additional yield from electricity production on the back depends on many variables.
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These factors include terrain, ground reflection, environmental conditions and mounting design, which must be evaluated during planning. In the guide, Trina Solar has compiled all its findings around the additional yields of bifacial modules and shows how these factors can be included in the analysis to arrive at an optimal system design. (su/mfo)
You can download the guide free of charge from the website of Trina Solar's European office.
