Performance Evaluation of Rooftop Mounted Monocrystalline Monofacial and Bifacial PV Modules under Seasonal Variability in Central India

This paper presents a performance comparison of monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules in monofacial and bifacial configurations, investigated under the tropical climatic conditions of IIT Bhilai, Chhattisgarh (21.2471° N, 81.3189° E). The study was conducted during the summer–monsoon period from May 2025 to August 2025. Utilizing real-time Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) and Plane-of-Array (POA) irradiance data captured by pyranometers mounted on a rooftop at the site, this work analyzes the observed effect of reflected irradiance on the Performance Ratio (PR) of the bifacial module. The PR was considered the key figure of merit, with attention given to the influence of solar irradiance, ambient temperature, and module temperature on PV performance. The results demonstrate a quantifiable enhancement in the PR for the bifacial module, directly attributable to the additional energy yield from its rear side. By providing empirical evidence from direct field measurements, this study highlights the tangible benefits of bifacial technology for Central India and offers valuable insights for optimizing PV system design in regions with pronounced seasonal variations.