Optical and electrical model for vertical-mounted bifacial solar panels

In this work a novel approach to estimate the produced power and mismatch losses for vertically mounted bifacial solar panels is presented. The approach is based on the estimation of the ground reflected irradiance on the panel through the application of an analytical closed form for the view factor in a perpendicular geometry. The radiation information is then used to estimate the current-voltage characteristics at cell level for the panel through the implementation of a variation for the classic single-diode model in presence of backside current production. The proposed methodology is of simple implementation, can scale towards more complex geometries and can be used for a quick and simple assessment of the real potential peak power produced by a PV plant considering the effects of ground reflections.