The effect of changing the shape factor on the efficiency of the flexible solar modules.

• The effect of the shape factor on the efficiency of the flexible photovoltaic modules. • The performance of different shapes of the flexible photovoltaic modules. • The standard flat photovoltaic modules is the most efficient shape of the flexible photovoltaic modules. This study investigates the performance of different shapes of the flexible photovoltaic modules. Three shapes of the flexible modules were compared under similar outdoor conditions: The standard flat, convex, and concave. The comparison was based on the solar radiation input, voltage output, current output, and back of the module's temperature. Results showed that based on the output power and the efficiency for the modules, the standard flat module was of the highest performance, followed by the convex module and then by the concave module. The average output efficiency of the standard flat module was 4.5–6.0% and 0.8–1.2% for the convex module, while it was 0.46–0.53% for the concave module. In addition, a simulated energy analysis was carried out between the standard flat module toward the south direction and the convex module toward the southeast direction. The simulation results showed that an area that holds 50 standard flat modules, could hold 72 convex modules. Moreover, the annual ejected electrical energy into a grid for the standard flat modules and convex modules were 8.61 MWH and 5.462 MWH, respectively. Furthermore, the performance of the standard flat and convex modules were 74.79% and 70.96%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]