Sud Renovables has put in a pilot vertical rooftop PV system on one in every of its amenities in Barcelona, Spain. The array options two 500 W bifacial modules from US-based SunPower and two microinverters from Enphase Power.
From pv journal Spain
Spanish rooftop PV installer SUD Renovables has deployed vertical bifacial photo voltaic panels on the rooftop of its warehouse in Avinyó, Barcelona, Spain. The system options two 500 W P6 panels from US-based SunPower and two IQ8P microinverters from Enphase Power.
“The mounting buildings have been designed in response to the wind traits of the realm, with stainless-steel materials,” Sud Renovables Managing Accomplice Manel Romero instructed pv journal.
The corporate deployed one of many panels with its entrance facet face going through east, and the opposite going through west. Every one works independently, with most energy level monitoring (MPPT).
“With this configuration, we’ll experimentally see the habits of the panel and the technology curve, which will likely be double if we take into account the morning and afternoon peak, and the actual worth of particular manufacturing of the system,” defined Romero.
Sud Renovables acknowledged that it doesn’t appear to make a lot sense to place vertical panels on a rooftop in low latitudes, nevertheless it plans to check them to validate their efficiency. It stated it is going to take into account vertical architectures in initiatives for which this configuration is acceptable, akin to agrivoltaic techniques, arrays on acoustic limitations alongside highways, fencing, or constructing facades.
“In Spain, it could make quite a lot of sense to put in bifacial panels vertically on the bottom and in city environments with vertical functions,” stated Romero.
He stated that in these techniques, the panel needs to be put in alongside the body, with none objects casting shadows on the again, together with steel profiles, wiring trays, microinverters, or optimizers.
Nonetheless, the vertical placement of panels can expose modules to wind, which is why it is crucial that they’re put in with the suitable buildings. This ensures that the panels can face up to wind hundreds, so micro-ruptures of cells don’t trigger hotspots. SUD Renovables additionally steered avoiding bigger panels, and to make use of photo voltaic panels measuring roughly 2 sq. meters.
“The efficiency, or particular manufacturing, of the vertical panels is decrease than with decrease inclinations, however the drop within the value of the panels signifies that contemplating their set up vertically makes extra sense at this time in particular functions, the place typical set up isn’t attainable or is extra advanced,” added Romero.
The technology curve of the set up not has a peak at midday, however as an alternative has two well-marked peaks – one within the morning and one other within the afternoon.
“As a substitute of evaluating their manufacturing with that of inclined techniques, it could be extra acceptable to check them with options that may produce in the identical time vary, or that embody storage,” he said.
The corporate stated that these amenities have a number of essential benefits over typical south-facing arrays. First, the panels work at their most energy within the morning and within the afternoon, when the temperature isn’t so excessive, and the modules dissipate warmth extra successfully, so temperature losses are a lot decrease.
Vertical panels additionally keep cleaner than horizontal panels with an inclination, decreasing efficiency losses as a result of filth, minimizing cleansing prices, and reducing the danger of hotspots. In self-consumption mode, it may additionally be higher to have the curve with the 2 peaks within the morning and afternoon, as an alternative of the noon peak, which often generates extra surpluses.
“In response to present electrical energy costs, it will likely be higher to avoid wasting electrical energy within the morning and afternoon peaks, which have increased electrical energy costs,” stated Romero.
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