Monofacial modules, as opposed to bifacial modules, can only generate energy from the front of the solar panels. Bifacial solar panels absorb light on both the front and back faces of the panels, increasing their efficiency.
This article will teach you more about bifacial solar panels, including their benefits, drawbacks, and efficiency.
What Are Bifacial Solar Panels?
Solar panels that are bifacial have solar cells on both the front and back of the panel. This allows solar energy to be collected on the panel’s backside, increasing the energy output of the solar energy system. As a result of their ability to capture sunlight on both sides, bifacial solar panels have a higher efficiency. Because they are designed to be completely transparent, they are usually frameless and lack metal gridlines. This improves their structural integrity and makes them more visually appealing.
Bifacial Solar Panel VS Traditional Solar Panel
Bifacial solar panels have two sides, one on the front and one on the back. The solar cells are sandwiched between two layers of glass, which increases their output, especially if installed on white concrete ground. Furthermore, it is primarily used in commercial or utility-scale applications in which panels are elevated and angled away from a mounting surface, allowing light to reflect into the panel’s back. This means a bifacial solar panel can absorb light reflected from the ground or another material. The traditional solar panel, on the other hand, has a white back sheet that cannot receive reflected light energy. As a result, bifacial solar panels can be effective in some applications, such as ground-mounted systems or roofs.
How Much More Efficient is a Bifacial Solar Array?
When considering this question, it is critical to fully utilize the bifacial solar panel. There are a few key considerations to make in order to maximize its output.
First, the more reflective the surrounding environment is, the more energy the panels will generate. A lighter-colored environment reflects more light, improving output performance. For instance, there is a lot of snow cover.
Second, there must be enough space for the reflected light to reach the panel’s backside. This means that bifacial panels don’t make sense for rooftops, where they would be right up against the shingles. They work best in large commercial installations where they are suspended in the air on poles with plenty of space for light to reflect off the back.
According to a 2018 study by LONGi Solar, bifacials can increase efficiency by 11% when compared to a conventional solar panel system. A solar tracking system that continuously tilts solar cells toward the sun during its trajectory across the sky can increase bifacial solar cell efficiency by up to 27%. The exact amount of extra energy will be determined by the environment surrounding the solar panels.
Pros & Cons of Bifacial Solar Panels
Bifacial solar panels are becoming increasingly popular, owing to their low cost and high efficiency. More homes and businesses are opting for bifacial panels over monofacial panels to reap the benefits, but do the benefits truly outweigh the drawbacks?
The Advantages of Bifacial Solar Panels
● Enhanced efficiency: Because bifacial modules can generate power from both sides of the panel, overall energy generation increases.
● Longer lasting: Because bifacial panels are frameless and have tempered glass on both sides, they are often more durable. Tempered glass is resistant to weather, UV rays, and high temperatures and strong winds. Bifacial solar panels are expected to have longer lifespans due to their durability.
● Visually Appealing: Bifacial modules are available in a variety of styles, including frameless. Many people believe that a full glass frame is more aesthetically pleasing than monofacial solar panels.
● Performs well in diffuse lighting: Because of the increased surface area, bifacial panels perform better in diffuse light. Long-term costs are lower than with monofacial panels.
● PID has been reduced: The solar cells are less likely to suffer from potential-induced degradation in the case of a frameless bifacial panel. This is where electrical currents deviate from their intended path, corroding the solar panels. Furthermore, because there are no metal contacts on the exterior, bifacial panels without a metal frame do not require grounding.
● Longer Warranties: Bifacial solar panels frequently come with a 30-year warranty.
The Disadvantages of Bifacial Solar Panels
The most significant disadvantage of bifacial solar panels is their high cost. Bifacial solar panels are slightly more expensive than monofacial solar panels. Furthermore, because bifacial solar panels are heavier and require specialized equipment to reap the full benefits, installation costs are higher.
The larger cost difference is due to the specialized solar racking required for the bifacial panels.
Because bifacial solar panels require little shading behind them, specialized racking is installed to prevent light from passing through the panels. This racking is more expensive and requires experienced installers to complete the job correctly. All of this adds to the price of a bifacial solar installation.
Final Words
Bifacial modules are recommended for installation sites that can benefit from bifacial gain, which means that residential homeowners with roof mount installations should look for other solar panel solutions. Under the right conditions, bifacial modules can produce more power with less equipment, saving you money on both the initial investment and the return on investment.
