A research group from Leipzig, Austria has looked at the benefits of double-sided vertical solar panels. And the results are very promising, since they allow a more constant energy production.
Currently, a standard photovoltaic installation is placed facing south and with solar panels tilted between 20 and 30 degrees to ensure the highest possible energy production.
But this creates a drawback: the largest amount of production is generated in the central hours of the day and taking advantage of this strong peak requires having storage batteries that compensate for the fluctuations that occur during the day.
However, an Austrian research group has looked at the benefits of a different system, based on double-sided solar panels.
vertical solar panels
In Leipzig, Austria, this research team has set up a solar park created with double sided solar panels that absorb the energy of sunlight on both the front and back.
Located with an east-west orientation, the energy production of these panels is more constant and allows them to reach generation peaks both in the morning and in the afternoon, which allows reduce the load of photovoltaic systems in electrical networks, as well as the need for energy storage.
Even this type of panel and its specific orientation allow higher production levels to be achieved in winter, when the sun’s rays are weaker and more indirect.
“Bifacial photovoltaic modules can harness solar energy from both sides. Installed with an east-west orientation, most of the electricity is generated in the morning and in the afternoon. This would reduce the need for electricity storage while minimizing the amount of land needed for electricity generation.”says Sophia Reker of the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences.
Cost effectiveness
The research also analyzes the impact of the different orientations of the panels on the distribution of energy performance, using a photovoltaic geographic information system (PVGIS) from the Joint Research Center of the European Commission.
Thanks to this, the researchers certified that, although double-sided solar panels reduce the installed power per area by a factor of 4 to 5the double use of the land (energy production combined with agriculture) allows reaching a potential of teravaries/hour per year.
“Vertical PV systems could be shown to allow for less storage capacity or less use of gas-fired power plants. Without any storage option, a reduction in total carbon dioxide emissions of up to 10.2 Mt/year is possible.”Sophia Reker pointed out.
In this context, Total Quadran and Next2Sun have closed an agreement to deploy their innovative bifacial photovoltaic technology in the French market.
Font: Next2Sun
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Photos: Next2Sun