Power plant simulation: a case study on the solar potential of the faculty of engineering, Osmaniye Korkut Ata University

In this study, a comparative analysis of the Solar Power Plant that can be installed on the roof of the Faculty of Engineering building of Osmaniye Korkut Ata University with monofacial and bifacial photovoltaic systems was carried out. Within the scope of the study, the performances of monofacial and bifacial photovoltaic (PV) panels were evaluated and comparative analyses were performed using PVsyst simulation software. The results showed that the double-sided system provides 5.6% more energy production on an annual basis (1337.5 MWh versus 1266.3 MWh) and has a higher performance ratio (0.848 versus 0.803). The bifacial system achieved a net radiation increase of 7.7% thanks to the rear surface gains. The production advantage provided by the bifacial system varies seasonally and is more pronounced in spring and summer (5.3-7.1%) than in winter (2.6-4.4%). According to a simple economic assessment, the monofacial system stands out as a lower-cost option. In terms of environmental impact, it has been determined that the monofacial system has the potential to prevent 18,500 tons of CO2 emissions during the lifetime of the system, and the bifacial system has the potential to prevent 19,600 tons of CO2 emissions. The results show that bifacial PV systems offer a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to renewable energy sources in Osmaniye conditions with high solar radiation.