Design and Simulation-based Performance Evaluation of a Bifacial Solar PV Energy System

Abstract

This project presents the design, simulation, and analysis of a bifacial solar photovoltaic (PV) panel-based energy system tailored for powering the lighting infrastructure of a mechatronic hall. Bifacial PV technology, capable of harvesting solar irradiance from both front and rear surfaces, is employed to enhance energy yield relative to conventional monofacial systems. The study begins with an assessment of the hall’s lighting demand, revealing a peak power requirement of 2.3 kW at 15:00, representing a 2200% increase relative to the night-time baseline load of 100 W. Load measurements conducted over a 9-hour operational period indicate an average power demand of 1.17 kW, corresponding to a total daily lighting energy consumption of approximately 10.56 kWh. Site-specific solar irradiance data are analyzed to determine optimal system sizing and orientation. System performance is modeled using PVsyst and MATLAB/Simulink, evaluating key parameters such as energy output, bifacial gain, efficiency, and system losses under varying environmental conditions. To enhance reliability and autonomy during periods of low irradiance, the proposed system integrates a battery energy storage unit and a charge controller. Comparative analysis demonstrates that the bifacial PV system achieves higher energy yield and improved cost-effectiveness compared to monofacial alternatives. The results confirm that bifacial solar PV systems provide a sustainable, efficient, and technically viable solution for powering lighting systems in educational and industrial facilities, reducing grid dependency and associated carbon emissions.