Revealing Bifacial Solar’s Leading Advantages & Most Suitable Installation Situations
The world of the sun is always developing. One of the most notable recent advancements is the production of bifacial solar panels. This innovation captures light on both sides instead of just one, opening up new opportunities for the generation of power.
Although the idea has existed for decades, new technology in cells has enabled bifacial panels to become a viable choice for both residential users and entrepreneurs. In this article, we tell you what bifacial solar panels are, the fundamental advantages that they offer, and the special use cases where they are most appropriate. You will learn just how the technology can help you achieve maximum self-sufficiency in energy.
What Are Bifacial Solar Panels?
Conventional solar panels, also called monofacial panels, possess a rigid, opaque backsheet. They collect just sunlight that falls on their front surface.
Bifacial solar panels are structured differently. They have either a glass back or clear backsheet that allows the back of the solar cells to be exposed to sunlight. Because of this, the panels can generate electricity from direct sun that hits the front as well as reflected light that hits the back.
Most bifacial panels use high-efficiency monocrystalline cells, the exact kind of cell used in high-end monofacial panels. The solar cell tech underneath is identical. The innovation is in the way the panel is constructed to enable this new channel of power production using reflected light.
Science of Double-Sided Power Production
Bifacial solar panels work in an efficient but straightforward way.
The front of the panel operates exactly like that of an ordinary panel. It utilizes direct sunlight from the sun and converts the sunlight to electricity. It gets most of its power in such a way.
The innovation is actually in the backside. Light that does not reach the panel or hits the ground below the install is not lost. Some of that light bounces off the surface of the ground below the install. The back-reflected light, also referred to as “albedo,” passes completely through to the clear back of the bifacial panel.
These back solar cells collect this reflected light and convert it to additional electricity. This “bifacial gain” is additional power that is created independently of that created by the front face. The additional power is solely based on the reflectivity of the surface underneath.
The Main Advantages of Choosing Bifacial Solar
Bifacial panels’ double-sided design offers multiple attractive benefits that lead to higher energy returns and value in the long term.
Improved Energy Production
The biggest advantage is the increased electricity production. Some manufacturers report that bifacial panels generate 30% more electricity compared to monofacial panels in ideal circumstances. A test conducted by solar manufacturer LONGi led to an 11% gain in the typical ground-mounted installation of systems. This increased to 27% with the application of panels along with solar trackers that track the sun’s trajectory. This increased overall production enables you to generate increased electricity with less installation space.
Higher Resilience
Bifacial panels are typically made of tempered glass in the front and also at the back. The two glasses give the panels additional rigidity and also protection. The panels have excellent resistance to harsh weather conditions such as high winds, hail, and also heavy snow loads. They also perform excellently against moisture and also ultraviolet (UV) degradation over the long term.
Longer Lifespan with Guarantees
Bifacial solar panels are so dense that they will last longer because the rough material corrodes far slower than plastic backsheets of traditional panels do. The manufacturers are cognizant of the longevity of such items and will be offering extended warranties on these products. It’s common that you will see power production warranties of 30 years for bifacial items compared to 25 years for monofacial panels as the industry standard.
Improved Performance Under Diffuse Lighting
Double the surface area is beneficial on cloudy days for bifacial panels. They are better able to absorb the scattered, diffuse light of those days. That allows them to generate electricity with greater regularity throughout the day and in changing weather, something highly beneficial in regions with common cloud cover.
Streamlined Design
Bifacial panels are generally frameless or minimally framed. The transparent, glass-only look is seen to be more stylish and pleasing to the eye in the opinion of most people compared to traditional panels. This is an important aspect in building design where the panels form an open section of building architecture.
Ideal Installation Parameters for Bifacial Panels
Bifacial solar panels’ efficiency is highly dependent on the environment. In order to work with maximum efficiency, they need to be installed in such a way that sunlight is able to strike both sides of them. The following are the circumstances in which they work extremely efficiently:
Case 1: Ground-Mounted Systems
Bifacial technology’s best use is in ground-mounted arrays. Up high on a rack is plenty of space for the sun’s rays to reflect back from the ground to the back of the panels. The ground underneath the array is best covered with highly reflective material such as white gravel, sand, or light-colored concrete in order to maximize the effect. It is also beneficial with these systems that there is plenty of space between rows so that no row of panels will shade the row in back of it.
Case 2: Commercial and Utility-Scale Projects
Large utility solar farms and big commercial roofs are the most suited for bifacial panels. The systems leave room for optimal tilt, panel height, and space between panels to maximize gain from reflected light. Commercial building white flat membrane roofs essentially become giant reflectors that greatly increase the energy production. In big solar farms, the cost advantage of an additional 10-15% of energy gain is considerable.
Case 3: Architectural Applications (Pergolas, Carports, and More)
For residential applications, bifacial panels are a perfect choice for open rear houses. A backyard solar pergola can offer shade while electricity is being generated from direct sunlight and reflected light off the ground beneath the patio. A solar carport can power an electric vehicle while it produces electricity from reflected light from the ground and the vehicle beneath it. These applications effortlessly combine the generation of renewable energy with the functional space of a residence.
The Rooftop Question
Another common question is if bifacial panels can be used on an average residential roof. In most typical installs when panels are flush-mounted on the roof, the answer is no. Because there is such limited clearance of just a few inches, there is no space for much light to reach the back of the panel. The roof surface will stop the light from reaching the rear of the panel, negating the bifacial advantage of the panel. Thus, it is generally not cost-effective for typical flush-mounted rooftop installs.
Techniques for Improving Your Bifacial System’s Efficiency
Proper planning and installation are required to achieve the optimal benefit of bifacial solar panels. There are certain important points that can make a huge difference in your overall power generation.
Surface Reflectivity is Most Important: The reflectivity or “albedo” of an open surface is most important for bifacial gain. Light colors are optimal. A white gravel can be above 50% albedo, while a white TPO roof can be above 70%. Dark asphalt pavement or dark soils can be 10% reflective.
Get the Tilt and Height Right: By lifting the panels, you will allow more light to strike the space underneath them. Ground-mounted systems need to be three feet (or one meter) above the ground level. Tilt angle is important as well. Steeper tilts can catch reflected light better while the sun is closer to the horizon in the winter months.
Select Your Mounting System with Care: Racking pieces of hardware create shadows in the rear of the panel that reduce its performance level. It is best to use mounting systems specifically made for bifacial panels that are thinner in terms of support rails with minimal obstructions on the module back. They can be painted white to reflect light as well.
Power Your High-Efficiency Setup with EcoFlow
In order to reap the increased production of bifacial solar panels, you’ll want to utilize an innovative power system that is just as dependable as it is adaptable. The best partner for a high-producing solar array is an EcoFlow home power system that gives you complete power management.
As for an entire-home backup powerhouse, there is nothing that can be compared to the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra. It boasts an incredible 6kWh per unit with an expandable 90kWh to store all the extra energy your bifacial panels produce. Its incredible 7200W of power is able to power everything in your home, including your high-load appliances like a 3-ton air conditioning unit.
If you’re using it in an RV, van, or off-grid cabin, EcoFlow Power Kits offer an integrated, modular system. They’re compact in design, easy to install, and can be fitted to meet your personal energy needs so work well with a small ground-mounted bifacial system.
In terms of hooking up your solar system to home wiring directly, the EcoFlow Smart Home Panel 2 offers smart energy management. It’ll automatically turn to your battery backup in case of an outage and enable you to maximize your energy consumption to save on electricity bills. By pairing bifacial solar technology with an EcoFlow system, you create an efficient future-proofed and solid energy solution for today and tomorrow.
Conclusion
Bifacial solar panels are the future of solar panel design. They provide an easy route to increased efficiency and increased production of electricity by utilizing the light on both sides of the panel. They will be unsuitable in some roof spaces, but in ground-mounted systems, commercial arrays, and new building projects, the advantage cannot be overlooked.
Anyone interested in making the most of their solar investment will benefit from studying the unique benefits and optimal applications of bifacial panels. Coupled with a robust and intelligent energy storage unit, this cutting-edge panel technology can empower homeowners with an truly independent and sustainable home power future.