College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Materials Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Materials Engineering
College - Author 2
College of Engineering
Department - Author 2
Materials Engineering Department
Degree - Author 2
BS in Materials Engineering
College - Author 3
College of Engineering
Department - Author 3
Materials Engineering Department
Degree - Author 3
BS in Materials Engineering
Date
6-2024
Primary Advisor
Jean Lee, College of Engineering, Materials Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
Bifacial photovoltaic (bPV) cells have higher solar efficiency than monofacial photovoltaic (mPV) cells due to having two sides of active layers. bPV cells also require less space to produce equivalent electricity, which is useful for solar farms that want to maximize energy output per unit area. Placing a sheet of highly reflective material on the surface beneath bPV cells further increases their efficiency due to increasing the amount of solar radiation that reaches the underside of the bPV cells. This study explores the effects of natural outdoor weathering, solar altitude angle, and accelerated exposure to UV radiation on the albedos of six candidate materials for periods greater than one month in San Luis Obispo, CA. The six materials are woven polyethylene (W-PE), polyethylene (PE), scrim-reinforced polyethylene (SR-PE), ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM), woven polypropylene (PP), and Mylar. Results from field testing show a correlation between high albedo and higher solar altitude angle, resulting in increased energy efficiency from placing ground materials under bPV cells. Of the candidate materials, PE was found to be the best material due to its consistent albedo (between 0.47 to 0.50) throughout the day. While PE had lower albedo compared to the other five materials, it only had marginally lower albedo at a significantly lower price compared to the other five materials when looking at albedo-adjusted cost. Its albedo, low cost, and relatively low mechanical property decay rate make PE the best choice among the candidate materials for use with bPVs.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/matesp/282