Sustainable energy and applications

Global Techno-Economic Performance

of Bifacial and Tracking Photovoltaic
Systems
Sustainable energy and applications

Dusan Jankovic, Biswajit Paul, Karim Elsayed

Bifacial solar panels are photovoltaic (PV) modules that capture
solar energy on both their top and bottom sides.
The front side of the panel, which faces the sun, absorbs direct
sunlight.
The back side of the panel captures direct rays falling around the
panel and diffuse sun rays, both of which are reflected off the
ground1.
 Bifacial PV systems
How Do They Work?
Unlike traditional monofacial solar panels that capture sunlight on only one side, bifacial panels have solar cells on both sides.
This design allows them to absorb light from both the front and the back.
Practically speaking, bifacial panels can even absorb light that is reflected off the ground or other surfaces.
They are particularly effective in certain types of installations, such as pergolas and ground-mounted systems.
However, for most rooftop installations, where panels are mounted horizontally, bifacial panels may not be the best choice. They truly
shine in commercial or utility-scale applications, where panels are elevated and angled away from the mounting surface, allowing light
to reflect into the back of the panel
Advantages of Bifacial Panels:
Increased Efficiency: Bifacial panels have more surface area to
absorb sunlight, making them more efficient than traditional
monofacial panels.
Dual Energy Capture: When set up vertically, they can capture
energy at two peak times: sunrise and sunset.
Durability: Bifacial panels are more resistant to weather conditions
like snow and sun that could cover a panel and reduce its
efficiency
Advantages of Solar Tracking Systems:
Increased Electricity Generation: Solar trackers generate more electricity compared to stationary panels. By
automatically adjusting their orientation to follow the sun’s path, they receive direct exposure to solar rays throughout
the day. Depending on the geographic location, this increase can be as much as 10% to 25%1.
Optimized Land Usage: Solar trackers generate more electricity within roughly the same space needed for fixed-tilt
systems. This makes them ideal for maximizing land usage in solar installations.
Time of Use (TOU) Rate Plans: In certain states, utilities offer TOU rate plans for solar power. These plans pay a
higher rate for electricity generated during peak hours. Solar trackers help maximize energy gains during these peak
times, enhancing financial benefits1.
Advancements in Technology: Improved reliability in electronics and mechanics has significantly reduced long-term
maintenance concerns for tracking systems.
Disadvantages of Solar Tracking Systems:
Higher Initial Cost: Solar trackers are slightly more expensive than stationary panels due to their complex technology
and moving parts. The additional cost is typically around $0.08 to $0.10 per watt depending on project size and
location1.
Maintenance Requirements: Although advancements have made them more reliable, solar trackers still require more
maintenance compared to traditional fixed racks. The quality of the tracker plays a role in determining the frequency
and extent of maintenance needed.
Peak Sunny Times: While solar trackers perform well overall, they may produce less energy than dual-axis models
during peak sunny times.
Limited Technology Upgrades: Some solar trackers have limited upgrade capabilities, which could be a consideration
for long-term system planning
Techno-Economic Comparison:
The study compares various combinations of bifacial and tracking PV systems.
It evaluates the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and energy yield across different locations
worldwide.
Key Findings:
Single-axis trackers paired with bifacial modules achieve the lowest LCOE in most locations, resulting
in an average reduction of 16% compared to other configurations.
Bifacial modules combined with single-axis trackers boost energy yield by 35%.
When bifacial modules are used with dual-axis trackers, the energy yield increases by 40%.
Overall Insights:
Bifacial-1T installations (single-axis trackers) increase energy yield by 35% and offer the
lowest LCOE for 93.1% of the world’s land area.
Although dual-axis trackers generate the highest energy, their costs remain relatively
high and are therefore less cost-effective.
Thank you
Brita Tamm
502-555-0152
brita@firstupconsultants.com
www.firstupconsultants.com