Bifacial solar panels can be used effectively in urban environments, offering distinct advantages due to their ability to capture sunlight on both the front and rear sides of the panel.
Effectiveness of Bifacial Panels in Urban Settings
- Increased Energy Generation: Bifacial panels can generate up to 30-40% more energy compared to traditional monofacial panels by capturing reflected sunlight from the surrounding surfaces. This makes them well-suited to urban areas where reflective surfaces such as white rooftops, concrete, or light-colored pavements are common, enhancing their albedo effect and boosting energy yield.
- Ideal Applications in Urban Areas:
- Commercial rooftops: Bifacial panels maximize energy efficiency when installed on flat or reflective commercial roofs, taking advantage of sunlight reflected off the roof material. This has been identified as an ideal use scenario in urban commercial buildings with sufficient roof space.
- Parking lot canopies and awnings: These structures not only provide shade but also allow bifacial panels to capture sunlight from above and reflected light from below simultaneously, improving energy output while serving an additional functional purpose in urban infrastructure.
- Free-standing urban structures: Installing bifacial solar on gazebos, pergolas, or other shelters in urban settings allows harnessing ground reflection and diffuse light, enhancing energy capture.
- Adaptability and Design Flexibility: Bifacial panels are adaptable to a variety of mounting configurations in urban environments, including building facades and elevated installations that optimize light exposure from multiple angles. Their durability and ability to withstand harsh weather also make them a cost-effective choice for long-term urban solar projects.
- Aesthetic and Technological Benefits: Compared to traditional solar panels, bifacial panels are considered more aesthetically pleasing and incorporate advanced technologies like PERC cells to boost their efficiency, which is valuable in urban installations where visual impact and performance are critical.
Summary
Bifacial solar panels are highly effective in urban environments where reflective surfaces enhance their rear-side energy generation capability. They are particularly well-suited for commercial rooftops, parking lot canopies, and free-standing urban structures, offering increased energy output, adaptability, durability, and aesthetic advantages. Proper design considerations to maximize reflection and panel orientation further improve their performance in these settings.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/can-bifacial-panels-be-used-effectively-in-urban-environments/
