Thermal Modeling of Bifacial PV Modules on High-Albedo Surfaces
Abstract
This work experimentally evaluates three steady-state temperature models—Ross, Faiman, and PVsyst®—for bifacial photovoltaic modules installed over surfaces with markedly different albedo levels. Measurements were carried out at a controlled PV pilot plant in southern Brazil, featuring highly reflective geomembrances and conventional gravel. Both front-side and effective irradiance inputs were tested, and model coefficients were tuned using field measurements. The results demonstrate that the Faiman/PVsyst® formulation achieves superior accuracy compared to the Ross model, especially under high-albedo conditions. Site-specific calibrated coefficients significantly improved temperature-prediction accuracy, while default commercial parameters produced notable deviations, particularly for bifacial modules. These findings reinforce the need for adjusted thermal parameters for high-albedo environments and for different PV module technologies, providing guidance for improving thermal modeling practices and energy-yield simulations of bifacial PV systems.
Keywords
Bifacial PV modules, thermal modeling, geomembrane, albedo, temperature estimation