Optimal ground coverage ratios for tracked, fixed-tilt, and vertical photovoltaic systems for latitudes up to 75°N
Erin M. Tonita, Annie C. J. Russell, Christopher E. Valdivia, Karin Hinzer
Abstract
General guidelines for determining the layout of photovoltaic (PV) arrays were historically developed for monofacial fixed-tilt systems at low-to-moderate latitudes. As the PV market progresses toward bifacial technologies, tracked systems, higher latitudes, and land-constrained areas, updated flexible and representational guidelines are required. Using our 3D view-factor PV system model, DUET, we provide formulae for ground coverage ratios (GCRs –i.e., the ratio between PV collector length and row pitch) providing 5%, 10%, and 15% shading loss as a function of mounting type and module type (bifacial vs monofacial) between 17-75°N. Fixed-tilt arrays span a wide range of GCR (0.15–0.68, 5% loss) compared to single-axis tracked arrays (0.17–0.32) and vertical east–west arrays (0.11–0.16). We additionally optimize fixed-tilt module tilt, finding that the optimum tilt can vary from 7° above latitude-tilt to 60° below latitude-tilt in certain cases. We demonstrate that tracked and fixed-tilt PV arrays should have similar GCRs >55°N, but tracked systems are more sensitive to row-to-row shading losses <55°N. The GCR of fixed-tilt arrays at lower latitudes can reach 0.55 without introducing >2.5% shading loss, whereas tracked and vertical arrays reach 2.5% shading loss by GCRs <0.22 and <0.10, respectively. We additionally find that bifacial PV arrays require GCRs up to 0.03 lower than monofacial GCRs. These results can inform future deployment designs for latitudes >15°N.