Bifacial solar panels are generally more efficient than traditional monofacial solar panels due to their ability to capture sunlight on both their front and rear surfaces. This dual-sided light absorption can increase energy production by 5% to 30%, depending on installation conditions and surface reflectivity.
Efficiency Comparison:
- Bifacial panels can produce about 11% more energy than standard panels in typical ground-mounted setups.
- When combined with solar trackers that follow the sun’s path, the efficiency gain for bifacial panels can increase up to around 27%.
- Studies show bifacial gain typically falls between 5.5% and 7.5% for fixed-tilt systems, with experimental results around 6%.
Factors Influencing Efficiency:
- The reflectivity of the surface beneath the panels significantly impacts bifacial panel performance. Light-colored surfaces (e.g., sand) reflect more light onto the rear side of the panels, increasing output, while darker surfaces (e.g., asphalt) reflect less, reducing gains.
- Bifacial panels have features such as double-glass construction that enhance durability and may contribute to longer operational lifespans.
Additional Advantages:
- Bifacial panels perform better in low-light or diffuse light conditions because they can capture reflected light from the rear side, extending their daily operational hours.
- Their design often includes narrower framing and transparent backsheets or double glass, allowing for more light capture and improved mounting strategies to reduce shading on the rear surface.
In summary, bifacial solar panels can be up to 30% more efficient than traditional panels by harnessing light from both sides, with actual efficiency gains depending on installation factors like surface reflectivity and mounting. This makes bifacial panels a compelling choice for maximizing solar energy output compared to traditional monofacial panels.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-efficiency-of-bifacial-solar-panels-compare-to-traditional-ones/
