“DTU researchers will test a new type of solar cell technology that harvests energy from two sides.
The results are expected to contribute to Denmark becoming the leader in the field in the solar industry.
The Danish energy company European Energy has just established a test centre at DTU Risø Campus. Here, DTU researchers will now begin studying how to create optimal conditions for the so-called bifacial solar cells, which, in contrast to the traditional monofacial solar cells harvest solar energy from two sides.
“Bifacial solar cells are a technology which in the solar industry are viewed as promising for achieving a greater effect without increasing installation costs, which could help make solar energy more competitive,” explains researcher and project manager Peter Poulsen from DTU Fotonik, who has been involved from the very start when the European Energy suggested a collaboration.
Will increase energy harvest by 50 per cent
Not only are the solar cells harvesting solar energy from both sides, they are also placed on the tracker systems following the Sun from sunrise in the East to sunset in the West. Tracker systems make it possible to harvest even more energy, and also ensure a steady energy production during the day.
The set-up is also intended to increase the reflections from the surroundings.
“We design and test suitable reflection materials while identifying optimum positions for the solar cells. When the solar cells harvest energy from both sides, it is important to ensure optimal reflection from the ground and the sides,” says Peter and continues:
“We are studying and collecting data on to how the entire system must be designed to increase energy harvest as much as possible-preferably up to 30-50 per cent compared to conventional solar cells.”
The experience and measurements from the test system are also to be used to develop an energy prediction tool that can calculate bifacial modules’ energy production on trackers around the world under different weather conditions and sun positions.
Denmark taking the lead in solar energy
DTU researchers’ solutions and new knowledge about bifacial solar cell technology could boost Denmark’s competitiveness. Today, solar cell module manufacturing and management in the Far East is cheap, but the modules’ share of the total investment costs are decreasing, and Danish companies will still be able to create business opportunities in the area of operation and installation of solar farms.
“There is no similar bifacial solar farm with tracker technology in Europe. Therefore, the farm has the potential to become a flagship for Denmark. And with this knowledge that the researchers contribute, we will as a Danish company be better positioning in the competition when bidding for international projects,” says Jan Vedde, Senior Project Engineer in European Energy, who expects that the knowledge produced in the new test system to benefit the entire solar industry.”