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Techno-economic analysis of urban bifacial PV in high-latitude area
KTH, School of Industrial Engineering and Management (ITM), Energy Technology, Heat and Power Technology.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6866-3036
KTH, School of Industrial Engineering and Management (ITM), Energy Technology, Heat and Power Technology.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7193-5303
KTH, School of Industrial Engineering and Management (ITM), Energy Technology, Heat and Power Technology.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4134-3520
(English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Bifacial PV technology is attracting attention from both public and academics since it has higher power density and lower levelized cost of electricity (LCoE) when compared to conventional monofacial PV modules. However, due to the complexities of snow effects, there is still lacking detailed analysis for evaluating its techno-economic performance in high latitude areas. This paper aims to provide an overview of the feasibility of urban bifacial PV systems with a Swedish case. Both monofacial and bifacial modules are modeled and compared by considering weather conditions, shading effects, space requirements, and economic factors under two different operation modes. The results imply that bifacial PV systems can produce 9.1-12.8% more electricity with snow conditions and achieve lower LCoE by 8.8 – 9.7% on average. Based on weather conditions in the high-latitude areas, bifacial PV systems show both technical and economic competitiveness compared to monofacial PV. However, self-sufficiency and self- consumption for bifacial PVs are quite similar with around 2% difference. In addition, though it is potentially profitable over the lifetime, NPV and payback year heavily rely on market conditions, such as electricity prices, discounted rates and subsidies.  

Keywords [en]
Bifacial PV, Techno-economic analysis, Snow conditions, High-latitude areas, Maximum solar power potential
National Category
Energy Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-362564OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kth-362564DiVA, id: diva2:1953067
Note

QC 20250417

Available from: 2025-04-17 Created: 2025-04-17 Last updated: 2025-04-17Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Decentralized PV systems in Sweden: Techno-economic analysis with a case study of Stockholm
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Decentralized PV systems in Sweden: Techno-economic analysis with a case study of Stockholm
2025 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Photovoltaic (PV) systems could be a promising option for accelerating sustainable transition in the power sector. However, it is not straightforward to implement solar PV in Sweden. While the huge gap between current and desired solar capacity generates great opportunities for solar PV technologies, the challenges arise regarding accurate performance prediction, optimization of sizing and installation, optimization for high latitude regions and integration with other technologies. This study focuses on a multi-dimensional probe into the potential and feasibility of PV systems in Sweden with a case study of Stockholm. The techno-economic potential of PV systems is evaluated regarding weather, space, infrastructure, operation configuration and economics. The results reveal the technical and economic feasibility of PV systems in Swedish contexts, despite limitations on existing infrastructure. The research highlights the significant PV generation loss due to snow conditions. The annual electricity generation loss is found to be 14.7%, which is greater than most prior research findings. Regarding this significant snow loss, bifacial PV can reduce snow-induced PV generation losses by up to 6 percentage points under heavy snow conditions. It also outperforms monofacial PV with lower levelized cost of electricity (LCoE) and shorter payback year in Sweden. Wall-mounted PV could also be an alternative. Compared to fixed-tilt PV, wall-mounted PV can achieve comparable annual benefits due to higher generation during the snow season when the electricity price is rather high. Future projections indicate an anticipated increase in PV generation by approximately 5% compared to historical periods. The change in PV generation is expected to be relatively minor during future periods, with an estimated variation of less than 30 kWh/kWp by 2100. Additionally, an optimal tilt angle has been determined for Sweden, applicable across all cities, which could enhance PV generation by 3-6% compared to the common installation angle.

Abstract [sv]

Solceller (PV) kan vara ett lovande alternativ för att påskynda en hållbar omställning inom kraftsektorn. Det är dock inte okomplicerat att implementera solceller i Sverige. Medan det enorma gapet mellan nuvarande och önskad solkapacitet genererar stora möjligheter för solcellstekniker, uppstår utmaningarna när det gäller exakt prestandaförutsägelse, optimering av dimensionering och installation, optimering för regioner med hög latitud och integration med andra teknologier. Denna studie fokuserar på en flerdimensionell undersökning av potentialen och genomförbarheten av solcellssystem i Sverige med en fallstudie av Stockholm. Den tekniska-ekonomiska potentialen hos PV-system utvärderas med avseende på väder, utrymme, infrastruktur, driftkonfiguration och ekonomi. Resultaten visar den tekniska och ekonomiska genomförbarheten av solcellssystem i svenska sammanhang, trots begränsningar av befintlig infrastruktur. Forskningen belyser den betydande förlusten av PV-generering på grund av snöförhållanden. De årliga elproduktionsförlusterna visar sig vara 14,7 %, vilket är större än de flesta tidigare forskningsrön. När det gäller denna betydande snöförlust kan bifacial PV minska snöinducerade PV-genereringsförluster med upp till 6 procentenheter under tunga snöförhållanden. Den överträffar också monofacial PV med lägre utjämnad elkostnad (LCoE) och kortare återbetalningsår i Sverige. Väggmonterad PV kan också vara ett alternativ. Jämfört med PV med fast lutning kan väggmonterad PV uppnå jämförbara årliga fördelar på grund av högre produktion under snösäsongen när elpriset är ganska högt. Framtida prognoser indikerar en förväntad ökning av solcellsproduktionen med cirka 5 % jämfört med historiska perioder. Förändringen i PV-generering förväntas vara relativt liten under framtida perioder, med en uppskattad variation på mindre än 30 kWh/kWp år 2100. Dessutom har en optimal lutningsvinkel bestämts för Sverige, tillämplig över alla städer, vilket skulle kunna öka PV-genereringen med 3–6 % jämfört med den vanliga installationsvinkeln.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm, Sweden: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 2025. p. xxii, 112
Series
TRITA-ITM-AVL ; 2025:16
Keywords
Photovoltaic, Techno-economic analysis, Snow-loss model, climate change, Swedish contexts, Solceller, Teknoekonomisk analys, Snöförlustmodell, klimatförändringar, svenska sammanhang
National Category
Energy Systems
Research subject
Energy Technology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-362565 (URN)978-91-8106-262-5 (ISBN)
Public defence
2025-05-15, Kollegiesalen / https://kth-se.zoom.us/j/68360743311, Brinellvägen 8, Stockholm, 09:30 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2025-04-17 Created: 2025-04-17 Last updated: 2025-05-12Bibliographically approved

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Ruan, TianqiLaumert, BjörnWang, Wujun

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