Bifacial solar power panels deliver more power per panel and boost the efficiency and production capacity of your solar power system.
You've arrived at the correct place if you've been experimenting with New Solar panels. Everyone wants to be ahead in game and have lifetime assurance for their purchases. Having said that, we still frequently neglect to have thorough research before making a purchase. So, today in this occasion of new year 2024 let me take you to tour of our newly launched Bifacial Solar Panel.
Let me ask you what comes to your mind when you heard the terms “Bifacial Solar Panel”?
Yes, that's correct—they can capture sunlight from both sides. But is that all?
Time to kick off our tour. I'll guide you through the details of bifacial solar panels, touching on their effectiveness, advantages, expenses, installation advice, and additional insights.
A Bifacial solar panel is designed with photovoltaic cells to capture sunlight from both the front and back sides, utilizing light reflected by the ground or other surfaces. In contrast to traditional monofacial solar panels, which have a single-sided photovoltaic surface capturing sunlight from only one side. This unique feature allows Bifacial Solar Panels to achieve an efficiency boost of up to 30% compared to Monofacial Solar Panels. Bifacial panels enhance their capacity by harnessing additional solar energy, especially in environments with reflective surfaces such as snow, water, or light-colored terrain.
Now you might have question, how they get to capture the reflected light?
Sunlight consists of power of reflection off various substances and surfaces in both reflective and non reflective way, including ground surfaces. When sunlight bounces back from surfaces, such as reflections from water and snow, it is captured by Bifacial cells. The phenomenon of reflection from surfaces like snow, water, or the ground is referred to as "Albedo."
Bifacial Solar Panels are well-suited for sites with high energy requirements, particularly in extensive projects such as agriculture and farming. They are an excellent choice for installations in glass-covered structures like swimming pool setups or roof models, including pergolas, pavilions, and gazebos. These panels are versatile, catering to both residential and commercial sectors with proper planning and maintaining the ground installations.
When considering installation, it's crucial to place them at an elevated height or a specific angle to maximize reflection from various surfaces such as sand, stone, water, and snow.
Types of Bifacial Solar Panels:
- Glass-Glass: These panels feature glass faces on both sides, providing exceptional strength and resistance to heavy loads. They are well-known for their durability and robustness, ensuring a prolonged lifespan.
- Glass-Transparent Back sheet: These panels, which have a glass in front and a back safeguarded by a transparent back sheet, provide efficient bifacial operation while being less expensive than glass/glass panels.
- Glass-Back sheet: These panels, like other bifacial closely have a glass front portion but a non-transparent back sheet on the back. They achieve a good mix both efficiency and affordability.
Advantages of Bifacial Solar Panels:
- Bifacial solar panels generate 30% more power with dual-sided efficiency.
- Get optimal performance by installing bifacial solar panels on the ground or other surface rather than rooftops.
- Bifacial solar panels with double glass are more durable in harsh weather than monofacial ones.
- Studies indicate that using bifacial PV in tracking systems can cut costs by up to 16%.
- Excellent choice for installations in glass-covered structures like swimming pool setups or roof models, including pergolas, pavilions, and gazebos.
- Bifacial solar panels excel at various angles, even vertically at 90 degrees, as long as they face the equator.
- Fewer bifacial panels deliver equivalent energy output compared to monofacial panels, providing efficient energy solutions.
- Bifacial solar panels generate clean energy without the harmful emissions of traditional fossil fuel-based sources.
Disadvantages of Bifacial Solar Panels:
- Bifacial panels cost more due to increased materials in manufacturing.
- Bifacial panels aren't ideal for shaded, dark, non-reflective areas and surfaces like dirt; they require unobstructed light.
- Glass bifacial panels are heavier than regular ones, complicating handling, and adjustment.
What are the expenses of Installing Bifacial Solar Panels?
Bifacial solar panels come with a slightly higher price tag compared to conventional monofacial panels. Yet, the additional upfront cost is typically balanced out by their enhanced energy production. Generally, you can expect a bifacial panel to be priced approximately 10 to 20 cents per watt more than its monofacial price.
What are the Cell structures of Bifacial Solar Panels?
- PERT Solar Cells: PERT Solar Cells exhibit an efficiency range of 19.5% to 22% on the front side and 17% to 19% on the rear side, with a notable bifaciality of 80% to 90%. Widely used in commercial applications, this technology is applied to n-type crystalline silicon wafers due to their longer carrier lifetime compared to p-type wafers. The absence of boron in the bulk material is essential for preventing light-induced degradation (LID).
- PERL Solar Cells: PERL solar cells boast an efficiency of 19.8% on the front side, with a substantial bifaciality of 80% to 90%. These cells primarily utilize p-type crystalline silicon wafers. The rear side involves the local diffusion of boron into contact areas.
- PERC Solar Cells: PERC solar cells feature an efficiency range of 19.4% to 21.2% on the front side and 16.7% to 18.1% on the rear. With a bifaciality of 70% to 80%, these cells are predominantly commercialized. Notably, they are commonly used on p-type crystalline silicon wafers.
- IBC Solar Cells: IBC solar cells showcase an impressive efficiency of 23.2%, coupled with a bifaciality ranging from 70% to 80%. These cells primarily utilize n-type crystalline silicon wafers and are distinctive for lacking a metal grid contact on the front side.
- HIT Solar Cells: HIT solar cells exhibit an impressive efficiency of 24.7% and an extraordinary bifaciality ranging from 95% to 100%. They are primarily commercialized and commonly utilized on n-type crystalline silicon wafers.
Are Bifacial Solar Panels effective for Rooftops?
Bifacial Solar Panels are less efficient when installed on rooftops due to the standard practice of placing rooftop panels in a straight configuration, limiting access to reflective surfaces on the underside.
The primary challenge with bifacial solar panels arises when they are mounted on rooftops. Unlike traditional rooftop solar panels, which are mounted close to the roof surface, bifacial panels face limitations due to the minimal clearance for reflected sunshine to reach the back side of panel face. This restriction adversely impacts the overall efficiency of bifacial solar production.
To achieve optimal functionality, these panels require substantial space to prevent shading and facilitate effective absorption of reflected light. This characteristic renders them less suitable for residential properties, where space is often limited and constrains their full potential.
How is the mounting procedure for Bifacial Solar Panels carried out?
Various mounting systems, including single-axis, dual-axis, and fixed-tilt tracking systems, can be used to install bifacial solar panels. The installation process is quite similar to that of traditional solar panels, although extra care must be taken to avoid shadowing from surrounding objects.
- Ground-mounting: Bifacial solar panels offer versatility for placement on the ground through the utilization of mounting systems, guaranteeing that the panels are set at a designated angle and elevation above the ground. The construction of the mounting system is pivotal, as it must enable the reflection of light from the surface beneath, ensuring it reaches the rear area of the panel. These solar panels can be securely fixed in position or integrated into a tracking system that aligns with the sun's path, maximizing energy production.
- Roof-tops mounting: Bifacial solar panels can be used for installation on rooftops, employing either ballasted or anchored mounting and racking systems. It is crucial to fine-tune the positioning and tilt of the panels to boost sunlight absorption and facilitate extra light reflection from the roof to reach the back of the panel.
- Floating: Bifacial solar panels can be set up on water surfaces, such as lakes or reservoirs, utilizing floating racking systems. This arrangement allows the panels to capture sunlight from both sections and reflect off the surface, leading to an overall improvement in their energy generation.
Installation Procedure of Bifacial Solar panels:
Bifacial solar panels are set up in the same manner as Monofacial panels. However, given their unique features, homeowners are advised to install them using raised mounting systems, allowing illumination to reach the panels' rear surfaces. This technique proves advantageous for ground-mounted systems and flat commercial rooftops.
- Organize spaces under bifacial panels to provide minimal shadowing while maximizing rear-side sunshine exposure.
- According to a 2010 IEEE research, install bifacial solar panels at least 101cm above ground.
- Check surface strength of mounting and racking systems for bifacial panel support.
- Choose vertical alignment to reduce back panel blockage and aid snow removal for better sunlight absorption.
- Consult a solar expert for the best bifacial panel height.
- For optimal efficiency and durability, properly maintain and examine panels on an ongoing basis.
