The Influence of Module Tilt on Snow Shadowing of Frameless Bifacial Modules

• Main Authors: Granlund, A., Narvesjö, J., Petersson, A.M.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: WIP 2019
• Subjects: PV Systems and Storage – Modelling, Design, Operation and Performance; Operation, Performance and Maintenance of PV Systems; Northern Sweden
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.4229/eupvsec20192019-5cv.4.36; https://www.eupvsec-proceedings.com/proceedings?paper=48409

36th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition; 1646-1650 : In this study, frameless bifacial modules’ performance in a boreal climate is examined, with a focus on snow coverage and snow clearance for different module tilt angles. A group of ten bifacial modules at different tilt angles located in northern Sweden at latitude 65°N were studied during the first months of 2019. It was shown that modules mounted at 0 and 15° tilt was covered the most by snow and 80 and 90° the least. All other modules, mounted at 25-70° tilt, showed mostly similar results in snow coverage and removal. All modules were subjected to snow coverage from January to March. In January no considerable energy output was observed for any module. In February and March modules with tilt angles of 0 and 15° had a lower energy output than the other modules, for which no considerable differences were observed. In April, when no snow coverage occurred, the module mounted at 45° had the largest energy output and in May, 25-35° performed the best. For the entire period of January-May the modules at 35-45° output the most energy.