Performance Evaluation of a New Design Photovoltaic Module with Reduced Self-Shading

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are a key component of renewable energy, yet their extensive land requirements can limit deployment, particularly in agricultural regions. With decreasing module costs and rising land prices, combining energy generation with farming activities has become increasingly attractive. Vertical bifacial PV modules enable dual land use by allowing crop cultivation and machinery access. However, such vertical setups of bifacial modules often suffer from self-shading caused by junction boxes, frames, and cabling, which diminishes energy output. AESOLAR has addressed this challenge by redesigning module interconnections and relocating junction boxes and cables to the edges, while an optimized frame minimizes rear-side shading. This study evaluates the performance of the redesigned module against a standard half-cell module using a Python-SPICE simulation that incorporates shading from junction boxes, frames, and cables. Results indicate that mitigating self-shading can boost energy yield by up to 3.21%, lowering the levelized cost of electricity. Additionally, simulations across various geographic locations show that regions with higher solar irradiation benefit most from the improvements. These findings improve the practicality of vertical bifacial PV systems, enabling efficient solar energy production with agricultural activities.