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Energy Yield Analysis of Bifacial Solar Cells in Northeast Mexico: Comparison Between Vertical and Tilted Configurations

Author

Listed:
  • Angel Eduardo Villarreal-Villela

    (Centro de Investigación en Ciencia Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada Unidad Altamira, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CICATA UA—IPN), Altamira 89600, Tamaulipas, Mexico)

  • Osvaldo Vigil-Galán

    (Escuela Superior de Física y Matemáticas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ESFM—IPN), Mexico City 07738, Mexico)

  • Eugenio Rodríguez González

    (Centro de Investigación en Ciencia Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada Unidad Altamira, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CICATA UA—IPN), Altamira 89600, Tamaulipas, Mexico)

  • Jesús Roberto González Castillo

    (Escuela Superior de Física y Matemáticas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ESFM—IPN), Mexico City 07738, Mexico)

  • Daniel Jiménez-Olarte

    (Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ESIME—IPN), Mexico City 07738, Mexico)

  • Ana Bertha López-Oyama

    (Departamento de Investigación en Física (DIFUS), Universidad de Sonora, Blvd. Transversal S/N, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico
    Secihti-DIFUS, Universidad de Sonora, Blvd. Transversal S/N, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico)

  • Deyanira Del Angel-López

    (Centro de Investigación en Ciencia Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada Unidad Altamira, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CICATA UA—IPN), Altamira 89600, Tamaulipas, Mexico)

Abstract

Bifacial photovoltaic technology is made up of solar cells with the ability to generate electrical power on both sides of the cell (front and rear), consequently, they generate more energy in the same area compared to conventional or monofacial solar cells. The present work deals with the calculation of the energy yield using bifacial solar cells under the specific environmental conditions of Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Two configurations were compared: (1) tilted, optimized in height and angle, oriented to the south, and (2) vertically optimized in height, oriented east–west. The results were also compared with a standard monofacial solar cell optimally tilted and oriented south. The experimental data were acquired using a current–voltage (I-V) curve tracer designed for this purpose. This study shows that the vertically optimized bifacial solar cell produces similar electrical power to the conventional monofacial solar cell, with the benefit of maximum production in peak hours (8:30 and 16:30). In contrast, in the case of the inclined bifacial solar cell, about 26% more in the production of electrical power was reached. These results guide similar studies in other places of the Mexican Republic and regions with similar latitudes and climate.

Suggested Citation

  • Angel Eduardo Villarreal-Villela & Osvaldo Vigil-Galán & Eugenio Rodríguez González & Jesús Roberto González Castillo & Daniel Jiménez-Olarte & Ana Bertha López-Oyama & Deyanira Del Angel-López, 2025. "Energy Yield Analysis of Bifacial Solar Cells in Northeast Mexico: Comparison Between Vertical and Tilted Configurations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:14:p:3784-:d:1703397
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gu, Wenbo & Li, Senji & Liu, Xing & Chen, Zhenwu & Zhang, Xiaochun & Ma, Tao, 2021. "Experimental investigation of the bifacial photovoltaic module under real conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 1111-1122.
    2. Basak, Achintya & Chakraborty, Suprava & Behura, Aruna Kumar, 2025. "Tilt angle optimization for bifacial PV module: Balancing direct and reflected irradiance on white painted ground surfaces," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PB).
    3. Manfredi Picciotto Maniscalco & Sonia Longo & Gabriele Miccichè & Maurizio Cellura & Marco Ferraro, 2023. "A Critical Review of the Environmental Performance of Bifacial Photovoltaic Panels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-18, December.
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    6. Dariusz Kurz & Arkadiusz Dobrzycki & Ewelina Krawczak & Jarosław Jajczyk & Jakub Mielczarek & Waldemar Woźniak & Michał Sąsiadek & Olga Orynycz & Karol Tucki & Ewa Badzińska, 2025. "An Analysis of the Increase in Energy Efficiency of Photovoltaic Installations by Using Bifacial Modules," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-25, March.
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