Optimal ground coverage ratios for tracked, fixed-tilt, and vertical photovoltaic systems for latitudes up to 75°N

Tonita, Erin M.; Russell, Annie C. J.; Valdivia, Christopher E.; Hinzer, Karin

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2023.04.038

Cited by 22 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Edge effects are negligible on this scale, resulting in module performance that is representative of central modules of utility‐scale systems 29 . The spacing between rows is updated according to the location latitude and tracking type using the equations provided in Tonita et al 30 for 5% inter‐row energy yield shading loss. Figure 2B depicts key dimensions assumed in this work for supportive structures, with a 10 cm diameter torque tube to align with dimensions previously modeled in literature 13,29 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For both system configurations, a minimum ground clearance of 50 cm is maintained between the bottom of the module and the ground. All fixed‐tilt arrays are placed at latitude‐tilt minus 10°, 30 while SAT arrays have tracking bounds of ±60°. SAT arrays are additionally implemented using a conventional backtracking algorithm to eliminate inter‐row shading in morning and evening hours 31 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Quantifying spectral albedo effects on bifacial photovoltaic module measurements and system model predictions

Tonita,

Valdivia,

Russell

et al. 2024

Progress in Photovoltaics

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We provide a comprehensive analysis of the effect of spectral albedo on photovoltaic (PV) module measurements and system model predictions. We demonstrate how to account for albedo in indoor bifacial device measurements by adjusting the applied irradiance using the scaled rear irradiance method, exemplified on fabricated silicon heterojunction (SHJ) modules. System model performance is studied using a detailed 3D finite‐element model, DUET, for fixed‐tilt and horizontal single‐axis tracked (SAT) arrays between 15 and 75°N. Spectral effects cause variations in measured SHJ module short‐circuit current up to 2% and efficiency variation up to 0.3% abs. We further demonstrate that rear‐side spectral mismatch factors (SMMs) resulting from including or omitting spectral albedo in PV system modeling vary between ±13%, while total (front+rear) SMMs vary up to 3%, depending on the deployment configuration and latitude. SAT array SMMs are weakly correlated with latitude, while fixed‐tilt array SMMs increase with latitude, driven by an increasing proportion of ground‐reflected light on the front‐side of modules. Ground‐reflections can constitute between 2% and 32% of total incident module irradiance, with notably high (>10%) contributions for fixed‐tilt arrays at high latitude. Effects of spectral albedo are most significant for: (1) fixed‐tilt deployments at high latitudes, (2) wide bandgap technologies such as perovskite and cadmium telluride cells, (3) albedos which vary steeply over the technology's absorption range, and (4) high albedo ground covers. Overall, we demonstrate that omitting spectral albedo effects can result in PV measurement and system‐level modeling uncertainties on the order of several percent in these cases.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying spectral albedo effects on bifacial photovoltaic module measurements and system model predictions

Tonita,

Valdivia,

Russell

et al. 2024

Progress in Photovoltaics

Self Cite

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show abstract

“…A typical GCR for a ground-mounted photovoltaic system is 50 to 60%. Tonita et al (2023) showed that xed-tilt arrays e ciency peaks for GCRs between 0.5 and 0.7 for latitudes between 17°N to 75°N. On several agrivoltaic power stations, detailed measurements of the available irradiation under the panels were published.…”

Section: Semi-transparent Panelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the Ground Coverage Ratio of AgriVoltaic systems as a proxy for potential crop productivity

Dupraz

2023

Preprint

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The yield of crops in both agrivoltaic (AV) and agroforestry (AF) systems is difficult to predict. The shade pattern of an AV system is not usual and quite different from the one of AF systems. Most countries allow AV systems on croplands only if the crop productivity is maintained (e.g. in France) or slightly reduced, as in Japan and Germany, with 80% and 66% minimum relative yield (RY) required respectively. We suggest to use the Ground Coverage Ratio (GCR: ratio of the area of photovoltaic panels to the area of land) as an indicator of the crop potential productivity in AV systems. The GCR can be easily computed and controlled for all kinds of AV systems with fixed (horizontal, tilted or vertical) or mobile (on 1 or 2 axis trackers) panels. We provide here a synthesis of published data for crop productivity under AV systems. We included only publications that provided both the GCR of the system and the crop RYs, which requires a reliable non AV control plot. Several publications were excluded as a consequence of doubts about the validity of the measurements (too small sized systems with strong edge effects, unreliable control plots). Despite the scattering of results, a clear pattern is evidenced: RYs decrease rapidly with increasing GCRs. It appears that a GCR < 25% is required to ensure that most crop RYs stay > 80%. Our results are consistent with a recent meta-analysis on the impact of shade on crops. Using the GCR criterion to validate AV projects is a simple and costless alternative to the tricky control of crop yields in the fields.

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“…Finally, the large volume occupied in their motion results in a large surface area necessary to avoid self-shading effects, which derives in low levels of land occupation or low ground coverage ratio (GCR). [3,4] As the price of the modules decreased, the increased power generation of two-axis tracking systems no longer justified the use of this type of tracker. The installation of a higher number of PV modules on the same area became economically more profitable with an overall higher electricity production despite the smaller increase in the solar radiation captured by the POA.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, the large volume occupied in their motion results in a large surface area necessary to avoid self‐shading effects, which derives in low levels of land occupation or low ground coverage ratio (GCR). [ 3,4 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Horizontal Single‐Axis Solar Tracker Algorithms in Terms of Energy Production and Operational Performance

Muñoz,

Guinda,

Olivares

et al. 2023

Solar RRL

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Horizontal single‐axis solar tracking systems with Astronomical tracking algorithm are commonly used in photovoltaic (PV) installations. However, different algorithms could increase the PV installation’s performance without implementing new equipment or technologies. This paper compares the performance of three tracking algorithms to the Astronomical one. Two algorithms aim at optimizing the received irradiance focusing on the diffuse component. The third one, called Analytical, is presented as a new development in this study, defining the optimal inclination angle depending on all radiation components. The comparison focuses on different parameters like the in‐plane irradiance, DC power output from a monofacial PV system and operational aspects like the performed number of movements. High time resolution (1 minute) simulations have been performed with proprietary software taking into account several effects on the effective irradiance and power output estimation, such as shading effects or PV configuration. Eight locations with different climatic conditions have been analysed. All three algorithms derive in higher in‐plane irradiance and power output values than the Astronomical algorithm, although the gain depends on the climatic conditions. At locations with high diffuse fraction, the power output from the Analytical algorithm, which outperforms the others, could be up to 3% higher than the Astronomical one.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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Optimal ground coverage ratios for tracked, fixed-tilt, and vertical photovoltaic systems for latitudes up to 75°N

Cited by 22 publications

References 33 publications

Quantifying spectral albedo effects on bifacial photovoltaic module measurements and system model predictions

Quantifying spectral albedo effects on bifacial photovoltaic module measurements and system model predictions

Assessment of the Ground Coverage Ratio of AgriVoltaic systems as a proxy for potential crop productivity

Evaluation of Horizontal Single‐Axis Solar Tracker Algorithms in Terms of Energy Production and Operational Performance

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