Characterizing Electrical Output of Sanyo HIT 195 Bifacial Photovoltaic Modules By Altering Reflective Material Below the Lower Face Absorptive Cells

Bifacial photovoltaic modules offer potentially enhanced power output due to their reported ability to harvest reflected radiation increasing output up to an additional 30%. This enhancement has yet to be confirmed in the literature. Reflectivity and geometry of the back surface, presumably, will contribute to module output. Reflecting materials and a roofing surface with different array angles potentially regulate the degree of concentrated radiation the arrays will absorb. Purposeful provisions to the reflective roofing surfaces may enhance the ability of the modules to perform to their maximum specifications. I report on a study comparing the power output of two nominally identical 700 watt photovoltaic arrays with varying configurations of reflecting materials and geometries. Six trials with varying reflective materials and geometries revealed that different reflecting materials did not significantly change power output. Mounting an array at 0° did adversely affect power output compared to the array at a 36° angle relative to horizontal using the same reflective material.