Albedo study seeks to improve accuracy of bifacial PV modelling

March 25, 2024
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Bifacial technology has become increasingly widely adopted in recent years. Image: Jolywood

Researchers in Spain have developed a statistical model aimed at reducing uncertainties in the estimation of albedo, the measure of radiation reflected from the ground that is an essential factor in the performance of bifacial PV modules.

Quality control firm Enertis Applus+ and the University of the Basque Country’s Technological Institute for Microelectronics claim the methodology will help optimise the profitability of bifacial PV modules by improving the accuracy of albedo estimations used in bifacial PV system performance modelling.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

In recent years, bifacial technology, which converts sunlight to electricity on both faces of a module, has become increasingly widely adopted and is estimated to account for 40% of all new deployments by 2028.

Albedo estimation is a key input parameter for calculating the likely performance of a bifacial PV system and therefore its profitability. However, short-term on-site albedo measurements often used in bifacial PV system performance modelling present high levels of variability related to changing weather, surface and other local conditions, as well as apparently random variations of up to 60% on consecutive days or even within the same day.

The new statistical model compares short-term measurement campaigns with long-term ones and satellite data to define the minimum number of measurements needed for each surface or climate type to ensure on-site short-term albedo estimates match with on-site long-term measurements.

As well as an accurate picture of albedo variability depending on the time of year, the new models enable an optimum measurement number and duration to be determined, and an admissible error and uncertainty factor in modelling.

The methodology also reveals that the albedo variability is not as random as previously thought and in fact increases significantly closer to the solstice in all measurement methods analysed.

In a report on the study in the journal ‘Renewable Energy’, the researchers concluded that the new methodology would enable more accurate estimations of proposed bifacial PV installations.

“The developed model will allow, especially during measurement campaigns in new locations, where long-term data are not usually available, the determination of, taking into account the climate and surface of the location, the optimum short-term measurement number to ensure a maximum error in the measurement. Therefore, it would be possible to optimise measurement campaigns and to obtain a better performance estimation of the location.”

Read Next

October 31, 2025
US independent power producer (IPP) Treaty Oak Clean Energy has signed two environmental attribute purchase agreements (EAPA) with social media and data giant Meta.
October 31, 2025
Australia's solar and energy storage sectors delivered transformative performance during the third quarter of 2025, with grid-scale solar generation reaching 1,699MW average output while battery systems expanded capacity by 2,936MW since Q3 2024.
October 31, 2025
Acen Australia has committed to recycling around one million solar modules from its 400MW Stubbo solar PV power plant in New South Wales.
October 30, 2025
Global net zero by 2050 is now “impossible” and the world is on course for temperature rises of 2.6°C, according to energy market analyst Wood Mackenzie.
October 30, 2025
New Zealand’s Genesis Energy has announced plans to acquire and develop a 271MWp solar project in Waikato, on the country’s upper North Island. 
October 30, 2025
Meridian Energy, a New Zealand state-owned energy company, has begun the construction of its 230GWh Ruakaka solar plant. 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
November 12, 2025
10am PST / 1pm EST
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 10, 2026
Frankfurt, Germany