Requesting feedback on Sandia’s PV Performance Modeling Idea No. 3: Bifacial/tracked system modeling

[mtheristis]

As part of the Sandia’s PV Performance Modeling program (https://pvpmc.sandia.gov/), we are sharing our model development ideas to seek feedback based on relevance, importance, and potential impact.

Your input will help us prioritize our efforts for fiscal years 2025-2027. Any model developments from our PV Performance Modeling program will be validated, documented in peer-reviewed articles, and made available in pvlib-python. If you are already working on a similar idea, please reach out—we would love to collaborate!

Idea No 3. Bifacial/tracked system modeling: Extend view factor models to accommodate real-world nonidealities: sloped terrain, edge effects, non-uniform albedo. Conduct studies to improve reproducibility in tracked bifacial PV modeling. IEA Task 13 bifacial modeling exercise showed large variations among modelers. Source of discrepancies need to be identified to improve reproducibility.

@kandersolar @cwhanse @jsstein @leliadeville

[williamhobbs]

Bifacial, especially tracked bifacial, is very important to the industry. And I think there is lots of room for improvement in pvlib here (e.g., updating infinite sheds to make it faster and allow for sloping terrain would be great!).

And performance engineers don't have good tools to account for edge effects if they want to use measured rear irradiance.