Bifacial Solar Panels in Extreme Weather Conditions
Bifacial solar panels, capable of capturing sunlight from both the front and rear surfaces, offer several advantages in extreme weather conditions compared to traditional monofacial panels.
Advantages in Extreme Weather
- Snowfall: Bifacial panels can recover more swiftly from snowfall because they can generate power from the rear surface when the front is covered in snow. This feature is particularly beneficial as monofacial panels can experience significant energy production losses due to snow coverage, which can reach up to 80%.
- High Winds and Hail: Bifacial panels, like monofacial ones, are generally robust and can withstand high winds (up to 120 mph) and impacts from hail or debris, thanks to their sturdy frames and tempered glass covers.
- Extreme Temperatures: These panels are designed to operate effectively in a wide temperature range, from as low as -40°C to as high as +85°C, making them suitable for diverse climatic conditions.
Specific Performance Benefits
- Increased Energy Yield: Bifacial panels can increase energy output by 10-15% compared to monofacial panels, especially when installed over reflective surfaces such as snow or light-colored roofs.
- Adaptability with Tracking Systems: Combining bifacial panels with tracking systems can significantly enhance energy production. These systems adjust the panel’s orientation to maximize sunlight capture and adapt to changing weather conditions.
Challenges and Considerations
While bifacial panels offer improved performance in many conditions, they still face challenges in extreme weather:
- Snow Coverage: Although bifacial panels can generate power from the rear side during snowfall, heavy snow can cause structural stress and reduce overall system performance.
- Weather Modeling: Accurate performance modeling in extreme weather conditions remains a challenge, especially for predicting rear-side irradiance during snowy conditions.
In summary, bifacial solar panels are robust and can perform well in various extreme weather conditions, offering advantages such as quicker recovery from snowfall and increased energy yield in diverse climates. However, optimizing their performance requires careful consideration of environmental factors and the use of advanced technologies like tracking systems.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-bifacial-solar-panels-perform-in-extreme-weather-conditions/
