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Techno-Economic Assessment of Bifacial Photovoltaic Systems under Desert Climatic Conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Osama Ayadi

    (Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan)

  • Bilal Rinchi

    (Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan)

  • Sameer Al-Dahidi

    (Department of Mechanical and Maintenance Engineering, School of Applied Technical Sciences, German Jordanian University, Amman 11180, Jordan)

  • Mohammed E. B. Abdalla

    (Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan)

  • Mohammed Al-Mahmodi

    (Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan)

Abstract

The decaying prices and improving efficiency of bifacial solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies make them most promising for harnessing solar radiation. Deserts have a high solar potential, but harsh conditions like high temperatures and dust negatively affect the performance of any proposed solar system. The most attractive aspect of deserts is their long-term sustainability, as they are free from urban and agricultural expansion. In this work, the System Advisor Model (SAM) software version 2023.12.17 was used to model a 100 MW PV plant and evaluate the techno-economic performance of fixed, 1-axis, and 2-axis bifacial systems under the climatic conditions of six deserts from around the world. This study explores technical parameters such as the performance ratio, specific yield, and capacity factor. Additionally, the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) indicator was used to compare the economic performance of the different systems. Results showed high specific yield: the averages for the three systems in six deserts were 2040, 2372, and 2555 kWh/kWp, respectively. Economic analysis found that an LCOE below 4 ¢/kWh is achievable in all deserts, reaching a minimum of 2.45 ¢/kWh under favorable conditions. These results emphasize the high potential of utility-scale PV projects in deserts to advance a green, sustainable energy future.

Suggested Citation

  • Osama Ayadi & Bilal Rinchi & Sameer Al-Dahidi & Mohammed E. B. Abdalla & Mohammed Al-Mahmodi, 2024. "Techno-Economic Assessment of Bifacial Photovoltaic Systems under Desert Climatic Conditions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-19, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:16:p:6982-:d:1456586
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Harry Apostoleris & Sgouris Sgouridis & Marco Stefancich & Matteo Chiesa, 2018. "Evaluating the factors that led to low-priced solar electricity projects in the Middle East," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 3(12), pages 1109-1114, December.
    2. Abotaleb, A. & Abdallah, A., 2018. "Performance of bifacial-silicon heterojunction modules under desert environment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 94-101.
    3. Amir A. Abdallah & Maulid Kivambe & Brahim Aïssa & Benjamin W. Figgis, 2023. "Performance of Monofacial and Bifacial Silicon Heterojunction Modules under Desert Conditions and the Impact of PV Soiling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-13, May.
    4. Ganesan, K. & Winston, D. Prince & Nesamalar, J. Jeslin Drusila & Pravin, M., 2024. "Output power enhancement of a bifacial solar photovoltaic with upside down installation during module defects," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 353(PA).
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    1. Andrzej Marciniak & Arkadiusz Małek, 2025. "Determining Energy Production and Consumption Signatures Using Unsupervised Clustering," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-29, May.

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