In this paper, we investigate the use of monofacial PV models to simulate the production of bifacial PV systems over different albedos. Analytical and empirical models were evaluated using measured data obtained from three identical bifacial PV arrays: (1) with the backside covered by white plastic, (2) with normal albedo, and (3) with high albedo. The front-and rear-side irradiances were measured in order to integrate bifaciality of the modules into the models. The models showed good performance for non-real-time monitoring, especially under clear skies, and the analytical model was more accurate than the empirical model. The heatmap visualization technique was applied to six months of data in order to investigate the site conditions on the rear side of the modules as well as the accuracy of the models. The heatmap results of the rear- and front-sides irradiances showed that the installation conditions, such as the azimuth angles of the sun and the surrounding obstacles, had a strong impact on the energy received from the back of the modules. The heatmap results of the models validated the performance of the analytical model. The average daily errors for the analytical model were less than 1% and 3% for normal and high albedos, respectively.

The CuInSe 2 /CuInGaSe 2 (CISe/CIGSe) thin film solar cells (TFSC) are focused on photovoltaic technology due to their environmental prospects, device efficiency, and cost considerations. The high photovoltaic cell efficiency (PCE) and low fabrication cost are generally preferred in solar cells for industrialization. The precursor materials, deposition methods, growth conditions for semiconducting materials can impact solar cell performance. Therefore, scrutiny investigation on the latter parameters is required for getting high-quality solar cells. In this study, the novel hybrid deposition method is applied for CISe absorber layer synthesis to improve PCE and reduce the fabrication costs. And also, a SCAPS-1D simulator is employed to design and optimize the properties of the materials used in CISe TFSC. The main parameters such as thickness and carrier concentration of each layer used in CISe TFSC were analyzed and optimized for attaining as high PCE as possible. The optimized PCE for CISe TFSC through SCAPS-1D is 22.81%, which is slightly lower than the record PCE for CISe TFSC. Once the CISe TFSC solar cell is theoretically optimized, then the experimental parameters of CISe and CdS thin films were replaced in the optimized simulation and results were analyzed. The PCE of 19.35 % is observed for CISe TFSC after substituting experimental parameters of CISe and CdS thin films. The minor change in PCE of CISe after replacing experimental parameters is mainly due to the decrease in fill factor of the solar cell. Thus, a theoretical simulation can guide an idea for doing experimental work to prevent the waste of precursor materials and research time.