Trina Solar Europe publishes comprehensive guidebook on PV system design with bifacial modules

Trina Solar Co., Ltd. (“Trina Solar” or the “company”), a leading global PV and smart energy total solution provider, has published a helpful asset for investors, utilities, IPP, project developers and EPC companies looking to design solar PV power plants with bifacial systems. “The Ultimate Guidebook for Bifacial System Design” can be downloaded for free on the European Trina Solar website.
Proof of the company’s industry expertise, the guidebook is a concise yet thorough dive into the complex field of solar PV design. It is helpful for companies who want to know more about how bifacial modules impact system design with both trackers and fixed structures. The guidebook offers a wealth of knowledge for those seeking to understand bifacial technology and are considering adopting it for coming PV projects. It covers all aspects of bifacial projects, including maximizing yield and keeping the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) to a minimum.
Development and design
Of particular note, bifacial modules’ power output and efficiency are considerably more difficult to model and calculate than those of monofacial modules. The findings on these factors are thorough yet digestible in detail. Unlike monofacial modules, for which output and efficiency calculations are based on the solar irradiation of the front side, bifacial modules must also account for the performance of the rear side, which is based on several factors. These factors include terrain, ground reflectivity, environmental conditions, and mounting structure that needs evaluation. The guidebook shows Trina Solar’s findings on how to incorporate these factors in the analysis to determine optimal system design.
Because the cost and performance of PV implementation depend greatly on components other than the actual modules, Trina Solar’s guidebook closely examines these subsystems too. Factors like inverter configuration, mounting components, and the potential benefit of smart tracking technology are also discussed, with consideration of how installation and component usage can impact module performance.
Case studies from Europe
Trina Solar is committed to engineering PV solutions that meet the needs of real-world applications, which is why the company conducted two case studies to assess the performance of its bifacial systems with trackers and fixed structures in actual working conditions. One case study was located in Spain to analyze which system would prove most effective in climates with high amounts of solar irradiation like those in southern Europe. The other was in Germany to evaluate system efficacy in areas with less solar radiation, like that of central Europe.
Not only were engineering considerations like design optimization and module efficiency evaluated, but also economic factors like internal rate of return (IRR), capital expenditures (CAPEX), and operational expenditures (OPEX) were assessed. The complete findings are presented in the guidebook and are extremely useful for companies considering which bifacial module solution would work best for their application, environment, and budget.
Gonzalo de la Vi?a, Head of Europe at Trina Solar, commented: “Trina Solar is at the forefront of the PV industry, so we see the importance of optimizing the performance of each module installed and of the entire system. Bifacial modules do exactly that, which is why we’re eager to show our findings to those looking to implement the technology into their operations. That’s why we created the guidebook and are offering it for free.”
Trina Solar recognizes the importance of providing renewable energy solutions that are designed with both efficiency and feasibility in mind. The company also strives to deliver actionable insights on real-world implementation, and “The Ultimate Guidebook for Bifacial System Design” goes a long way toward achieving that end. Organizations considering bifacial PV implementation will benefit from taking advantage of the insights of this highly valuable free resource.