Bifacial solar panels perform notably better than traditional monofacial panels under cloudy conditions due to their ability to capture light from both front and rear sides. This design allows them to utilize not only direct sunlight but also diffuse and reflected light from the environment, such as rooftops, grass, snow, or other surfaces around the installation area.
Performance of Bifacial Panels in Cloudy Weather
- Bifacial panels can boost efficiency by about 10-20% in cloudy weather compared to monofacial panels. This is because even when direct sunlight is limited, the diffuse and reflected light still provides usable energy that bifacial panels can capture on their back side.
- Studies and user reports indicate that bifacial panels maintain superior electrical performance relative to monofacial panels in both high and low irradiance conditions, including cloudy days.
- Under low-light or overcast conditions, bifacial panels can generate roughly 10% more power than their monofacial counterparts, enhancing total energy production when sunlight is partially blocked by clouds.
How Cloud Cover Affects Solar Output Generally
- On cloudy days, solar panels typically generate 10% to 60% of their normal output depending on cloud thickness. Light clouds cause minimal reduction (10-20%), whereas heavy clouds or stormy weather can reduce output by up to 90%.
- Despite the reduction, bifacial panels, by capturing additional reflected light, can improve energy capture and mitigate some losses caused by cloud cover.
Summary
| Feature | Effect in Cloudy Conditions |
|---|---|
| Monofacial Solar Panels | Produce around 10-60% of rated capacity depending on cloud cover severity |
| Bifacial Solar Panels | Increase efficiency by 10-20% over monofacial in cloudy weather by capturing reflected and diffuse light on both sides |
| Energy Capture Mechanism | Utilize front side for direct sunlight; rear side captures reflected/diffuse light |
| Benefit | Better overall energy yield in overcast conditions, improving reliability and return on investment for solar installations |
In conclusion, bifacial solar panels are a stronger choice for areas with frequent cloud cover as they can harvest more diffuse and reflected sunlight, maintaining better performance on cloudy days than traditional panels.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-bifacial-solar-panels-perform-in-cloudy-conditions/
