Performance analysis of PV modules installed in the alpine region

Several mono- and bifacial mc-Si PV modules were installed at a location 2500 m above sea level in the Alps and grouped in six segments with different inclinations 30°, 70° and 90°. The PV modules and the meteorological conditions are monitored minutely and compared to a 30° tilted PV module installed in the urban region of Zurich. During the analysis period between October 2018 and September 2020, the yield loss due to snow coverage was mini-mal. The highest loss was 2.3 % (2018/19) and 3.6 % (2019/20) for the 30° inclined PV modules evaluated by the introduced snow coverage model based on electrical and weather data. The two segments with a 30° inclination showed a 20.9 % to 27.2 % higher yield than the PV module installed in the urban region, mostly produced in the winter season. The bifacial alpine energy yield is about twice as high as that of the urban PV module from November to May. The highest yields of 1800 Wh/Wp in 2018/19 and 1696 Wh/Wp in 2019/20 was measured at the 70° tilted bifacial PV module without losses due to row shading as it is expected in PV plants