Energy yield comparison between monofacial photovoltaic modules with monofacial and bifacial cells in a carport

In the photovoltaic (PV) industry, module manufacturers have begun to install bifacial cells into monofacial modules because of their lower production costs relative to monofacial cells. This is linked mainly to a 65.3% reduction in rear aluminum paste consumption and the corresponding 0.5 cent/wafer cost reduction for M4 (161.7 × 161.7 mm²) size wafers. Therefore, this study compared the performance of monofacial PV modules with the monofacial cells as a reference group and bifacial cells as the test group to determine the cost reduction potential of the latter in terms of energy yield. Fifteen modules of each type were installed in a solar carport system on the Korean Peninsula and recorded irradiance and ambient and module temperature for one year. Throughout the year, irradiance and energy yield exhibited a strong linear correlation. The total annual energy yields of the monofacial and bifacial cells were 1,093.1 and 1,098.9 kWh/kWp, respectively. The energy yield of the bifacial module was 5.8 kWh/kWp (0.53%) higher than that of the monofacial module. Thus, monofacial modules with bifacial cells may be used in the PV industry to reduce cell production costs and levelized cost of electricity while enhancing energy yields and overall product performance in carport systems on the Korean Peninsula during all four seasons.