Harvesting energy horizons: Bifacial PV and reversible fuel cells unite for sustainable building solutions

This study explores the integration of bifacial photovoltaic (PV) panels with proton exchange membrane (PEM) reversible fuel cells (RFC) to enhance renewable energy storage across various U.S. climates. It assesses the impact of environmental variables like sunlight exposure, climate fluctuations, and energy demands on system efficiency and resilience. The cities considered in the study were Tucson, Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas, and Minneapolis. Each city was chosen for its unique climatic characteristics, ranging from the arid heat of Tucson to the cold temperatures of Minneapolis. This diverse selection helps to evaluate the system's performance and economic viability across a broad spectrum of environmental conditions. Economic analysis focuses on metrics such as the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH), and Levelized Cost of Storage (LCOS). Findings indicate significant economic benefits through varying bifacial PV gains from 0 to 20% yield with reductions in LCOE by 16%, LCOH by 14%, LCOS by 13%, and overall system LCOE by 18%. The results highlight the potential of bifacial PV and PEM-RFC systems to boost energy yield and economic efficiency amid dynamic environmental conditions. This analytical framework offers detailed insights into the economic viability and advantages of these systems in different climatic zones in the United States.