Bifacial solar panels increase energy production compared to traditional monofacial panels primarily by capturing sunlight on both their front and rear surfaces. This dual-sided design allows them to utilize more of the available solar radiation, including direct sunlight on the front and reflected or diffused light on the back, significantly boosting overall energy yield.
Key ways bifacial panels enhance energy production are:
- Dual-Sided Light Capture: Unlike traditional panels that generate electricity only from light hitting the front, bifacial panels have photovoltaic cells on both sides. This enables them to generate extra power from reflected light off surfaces like the ground, rooftops, or nearby reflective materials.
- Increased Energy Yield: Under the same conditions, bifacial panels can produce approximately 5% to 30% more energy than traditional panels. For example, some studies and manufacturers report around 11% to 30% higher output, with optimal conditions pushing the gain closer to 25-30%.
- Better Performance in Low and Diffuse Light: Bifacial panels capture diffused and reflected sunlight more effectively, improving their efficiency during cloudy days or early morning and late afternoon periods, which extends their daily energy production window.
- Use of Reflective Surfaces: Installing bifacial panels above reflective or light-colored surfaces can further increase energy output by redirecting sunlight onto the panel’s rear side. Experiments adding reflective foil under bifacial panels showed noticeable improvements in energy generated, especially in lower light conditions.
Overall, bifacial solar panels leverage their ability to convert sunlight from both sides into electricity, making them more efficient and cost-effective over their lifespan despite a potentially higher upfront cost. This technology is particularly valuable for maximizing electricity generation from limited space or in settings where ground reflection is significant.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-bifacial-solar-panels-increase-energy-production-compared-to-traditional-panels/
