Bifacial solar panels can indeed be used effectively in low-light conditions. Multiple sources confirm that bifacial panels perform better than traditional monofacial panels when sunlight is diffuse or indirect.
Key points regarding bifacial panels in low-light:
- Better low-light performance: Bifacial panels excel at capturing diffused and reflected light thanks to their ability to absorb light from both the front and rear sides. This allows them to generate more power during cloudy days, early mornings, late afternoons, and in shaded areas.
- Energy gain in low light: On average, bifacial panels have been reported to perform about 15% better than monofacial panels under low light conditions, although site-specific factors like tilt and azimuth also heavily influence output.
- Extended operational hours: Their ability to capture indirect light extends daily operational hours beyond traditional panels, improving overall energy production in suboptimal lighting environments.
- Comparisons: Some specialized monofacial panels designed specifically for low-light, such as IBC full black modules, may outperform bifacial glass-glass panels in certain winter low-light tests by about 20%, indicating that bifacial panels are generally good but not always the highest performers in extreme low-light scenarios.
- Real-world user observations: Users report achieving a minimum usable wattage output in low-light with bifacial panels comparable to other high-quality panels, supporting their suitability for low-light contexts.
In summary, bifacial solar panels are well suited for low-light conditions due to their unique design that captures diffused and reflected light from both sides, typically resulting in a 15-30% performance improvement over monofacial panels in such environments. However, for extreme low-light regions, certain monofacial technologies might slightly outperform them. Overall, bifacial panels extend generation capabilities when sunlight is limited, making them a strong option for variable and less sunny climates.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/can-bifacial-solar-panels-be-used-effectively-in-low-light-conditions/
