UNSW applied machine learning methods to help Jinko Solar quantify the benefits of their bifacial and N-type PV technologies in real projects.
Challenge
Jinko Solar distributes some of the world's largest and most innovative photovoltaic (PV) products, including a bifacial module that allows for double-sided power generation and the high-efficiency N-type monocrystalline panel.
Jinko Solar is committed to empowering people to make the right product choice by providing reliable system performance data. They see a growing trend towards customers asking for benefit-specific information based on field application and not just simulation data.
"Our customers are looking at new technologies, but are not sure how to apply them, how to design with them, and what the exact benefits are. They are seeking real life evidence to verify the theoretical simulation."
Dan Su, Technical Sales Manager, Head of Technical Service (ANZ) - Jinko Solar
Solution
UNSW worked with Jinko Solar to analyse field application data and:
- compare performance of their bifacial PV panel solar farm against solar farms that use conventional monofacial PV panels;
- compare the system performance forecast of their new N-type panels against their existing P-type technology.
"We use real climate statistics and generation data from an existing bifacial solar farm to compare against simulated data over a 12-month period. The results from the expected reports tell us the accuracy of the simulation data, which will help validate future modelling. That's what the industry is looking for."
Impact
Despite new PV technologies regularly entering the market, the supply of field application data is relatively scarce. The reports on Jinko Solar's product performance will help customers make informed choices and contribute practice-based research methodologies to the industry.
"I studied at UNSW and would proudly say the university plays a key role in the modern day solar industry. It all started from there. We have strong relationships with UNSW at the R&D level. At the application level, field studies like this one have demonstrated that our bifacial technology can reach 3-4% better yield, while the N-type can further improve generation by another 3%. This will help the industry better understand the application of new technologies and provide manufacturers like Jinko with product development visibility and direction for the next ten years."