.jpg)
Figure 1 Inclined bifacial PV module with elevation height
To achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2050, local adoption of trending bifacial photovoltaic (PV) panels is one of the driving forces to increase the share of solar energy in gross electricity generation by uplifting applicable area, technological competence, and usage popularity of PV systems in Hong Kong.
Based on simulation and experiment results, practical optimal installation conditions of bifacial PV panels in Hong Kong are determined as i) Average albedo of 0.8; ii) Elevation height of 1m; iii) South-oriented; and iv) Tilt angle of 34°. Vertical bifacial PV panel (i.e., tilt angle of 90°) takes advantage of attaining a double-peak electricity curve, has been reviewed as a feasible approach to increase the applicable area of the PV systems as well as acting as a PV noise barrier systems on roads. Practical optimal installation conditions of a vertical bifacial PV panel are determined as i) Average albedo of 0.8; ii) Elevation height with 1m; and iii) East-oriented (front side).
The technological competence of the PV systems is enhanced with the increased electricity yield of bifacial PV panels. Electricity gains of the tilted and vertical bifacial PV panels are determined as 42.1% and 68.7% higher than monofacial PV panels when at the corresponding optimal installation conditions. The total maximum annual electricity yield of all locally-available bifacial rooftop and noise barrier PV systems is estimated as 6.12GWh, which is 67.9% higher than that of the local monofacial PV systems.
Bifacial PV systems also attain higher cost-effectiveness with an average percentage reduction of 21% on the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) compared to monofacial PV systems. Average payback periods in the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme are reduced by 2 to 5 years. Reduction of the LCOE and the payback period facilitates the increase of usage popularity of PV systems.
Figure 1 Inclined bifacial PV module with elevation height
.jpg)
Figure 2 Vertical bifacial PV module with elevation height
.jpg)
Figure 3 Double pyranometers for determination of albedo