Environmental conditions such as temperature and cloud cover significantly influence the performance of bifacial solar panels, which are distinct in their ability to capture sunlight on both their front and rear sides.
Effect of Temperature on Bifacial Solar Panels
- Lower Operating Temperatures Improve Efficiency: Bifacial solar panels generally operate at lower temperatures than traditional monofacial panels because they are exposed to light on both sides, allowing better heat dissipation. This lower operating temperature helps maintain higher efficiency, as solar panels typically lose performance as temperatures rise. Cooler conditions reduce thermal degradation, potentially extending the lifespan of bifacial panels and enhancing energy yield.
- High Temperatures Reduce Efficiency: Like all photovoltaic modules, bifacial panels experience reduced efficiency when exposed to high temperatures. In hotter climates, the performance of bifacial panels can decline during peak temperature periods, though their ability to capture reflected light somewhat offsets this loss.
Effect of Cloud Cover and Light Conditions
- Cloud Cover Reduces Direct Sunlight but Bifacial Panels Utilize Diffuse and Reflected Light Better: Bifacial panels excel in environments where they can harness both direct and reflected sunlight, including diffuse light on cloudy days. Their capacity to capture reflected and scattered light from the rear side allows them to maintain better performance than monofacial panels under partly cloudy or low-light conditions.
- Performance Depends on Reflective Ground Surfaces (Albedo): The reflectivity of the surface beneath the panels (albedo) is critical. Surfaces like snow, sand, water, or light-colored rooftops reflect more light onto the panel’s rear side, boosting energy generation considerably. Therefore, cloud cover that diffuses sunlight combined with a high-albedo surface can still allow bifacial panels to generate significant power.
Summary Table of Environmental Impacts
| Environmental Factor | Impact on Bifacial Solar Panels | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Higher temps reduce efficiency; lower temps improve it | Bifacial panels run cooler than monofacial, mitigating heat losses |
| Cloud Cover | Reduces direct sunlight, but bifacial panels utilize diffuse & reflected light better | Cloudy conditions reduce output but less so than monofacial panels |
| Surface Reflectivity (Albedo) | High albedo boosts rear side irradiance and increases output | Snow, sand, light roofs enhance bifacial gain up to 30% |
In conclusion, bifacial solar panels perform best in environments with moderate to low temperatures and where reflected light from high-albedo surfaces is abundant. Their unique design allows them to better capture light under varying sky conditions, including cloudy weather, while also benefiting from cooler operating temperatures that improve overall efficiency and durability.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-environmental-conditions-like-temperature-and-cloud-cover-affect-bifacial-solar-panels/
