Browsing by Author "Louw, Jobert"

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    Modelling and simulation of bifacial PV modules by implementing the ray tracing technique
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03) Louw, Jobert; Rix, Arnold J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis shows how ray tracing can serve as an accurate irradiance mod-elling technique for bifacial PV modules. The electrical behaviour of bifacial modules is also modelled through investigation and development of two electri-cal models. Bifacial PV modules can increase the power output per unit area when compared to monofacial PV modules. This is made possible by exposing the PV cells of a bifacial module to the incident irradiance on the front and the rear side. This potential increase in power output allows bifacial PV to be an important role player in the growth of PV technology in the renewable energy market. In order to advance bifacial PV as the primary technology in the solar market, it is necessary to accurately model and simulate bifacial mod-ules. Existing bifacial PV simulation software mostly implements view factors which proves to be ineffective in accurately modelling the rear side irradiance of modules. There are some uncertainties regarding the electrical performance of bifacial PV, which can be significantly reduced once an accurate model is established for the technology. An irradiance model is developed by implementing ray tracing to model the front and rear side irradiance of bifacial modules. The irradiance model is verified by comparing modelled irradiance with irradiance measurements from an experimental bifacial PV installation. Two one-diode electrical models are implemented for bifacial modules. The two models are verified by comparing modelled power with measured power of a single bifacial module in a bifacial installation. The bifacial PV simulation software is developed by integrating the irradiance and electrical models with the python development language. After verification, the simulation software is used to simulate the effects of tilt angles, tracking, module height, albedo and row spacing on energy performance and bifacial gain of bifacial modules. A comparison is also done with existing commercial simulation software in order to determine the difference in accuracy between view factor and ray tracing models.