Energy yields and performance analysis of vertical and tilted oriented bifacial photovoltaic modules in tropical region

Abstract

This study experimentally investigates the performance of bifacial photovoltaic (bPV) modules under vertical and tilted orientations in a tropical region. Related studies are reviewed, then performance metrics including solar radiation, module temperature, bifaciality gain, and energy yield were monitored and analyzed over a specified period. The aim is to determine the optimal orientation for maximizing output power generation, temperature module, and understanding the bifaciality factor through real-world conditions. The experimental setup consisted of three different bifacial photovoltaic module configurations: two vertically mounted with facing east-west (E/W) and north-south (N/S) respectively, while the third was tilted 15 facing north. The study findings revealed that the tilted orientation produced the highest energy yield of 1951 Wh, followed by the vertical east-west (E/W) and vertical north-south (N/S) orientations with 1504 Wh and 609 Wh, respectively. While tilted bPV module benefit from higher irradiance, they also experience elevated temperatures (39% above ambient) compared to vertically bPV modules (8-21%). This can negatively affect efficiency, especially during peak solar hours. The results also show that differences in bPV installation orientation affect the bifaciality factor and gain. These findings offer valuable guidance for optimizing bPV system design and deployment in tropical regions with low latitude, supporting sustainable energy solutions.