BIFACIAL SOLAR PANELS

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT

VIPUL SOLANKI-A1904017066
What Exactly are Bifacial Solar Panels?
● Bifacial solar panels are solar panels that function on both sides; therefore, they also capture the
radiation of the sun on the back side since they use a transparent sheet instead of opaque materials, such
as those used in monofacial panels.
● Bifacial solar panels capture the sun’s energy on the back side less efficiently than the energy captured on
the face exposed to the sun, given that the back side only captures the reflected radiation due to its
indirect exposure to the sun. These types of panels offer greater efficiency when installed on snow or
water surfaces or on white roofs.
● Bifacial modules come in many designs. Some are framed while others are frameless. Some are
dual-glass, and others use clear backsheets. Most use monocrystalline cells, but there are polycrystalline
designs. The one thing that is constant is that power is produced from both sides. There are frameless,
dual-glass modules that expose the backside of cells but are not bifacial. True bifacial modules have
contacts/busbars on both the front and back sides of their cells.
How are bifacial modules installed?
● The way a bifacial module is mounted depends on its type. A framed bifacial module might be easier to
install than frameless, just because traditional mounting and racking systems are already adapted to
framed models. Most bifacial module manufacturers provide their own clamps to mount their specific
brand, taking away any installation hesitations.
● For frameless bifacial modules, the module clamps will often feature rubber guards to protect the glass,
and special care must be taken to prevent over tightening bolts and damaging the glass.
● The higher a bifacial module is tilted, the more power it produces from its bifacial properties. Bifacial
modules mounted flush to a rooftop block any reflected light from reaching the backside of the cells.
That’s why bifacial modules perform better on flat commercial rooftops and ground-mounted arrays,
because there is more room for tilt and bouncing reflected light to the rear of the modules.
ADVANTAGES
● Higher performance: By capturing solar energy on both sides, the use of these panels
increases the performance of the facilities by generating more energy than monofacial
panels. The use of this type of bifacial solar panel increases the facilities’ performance by 5%
to 30%.
● Facility optimization: By increasing the facilities’ performance without just increasing the
estimated costs for the facilities, the costs and benefits of solar power are optimized faster.
Bifacial solar panels are 1.5% more expensive than those used up to now and between 4%
and 6% more efficient.
● Design: One of the most obvious advantages is that they can be displayed without fear of
degrading the esthetics of the facade. In addition, depending on the location, they are
useful for certain other purposes such as awnings, barriers or pergolas.
LIMITATION
● The main challenge with a bifacial solar panel is the unpredictability of the power output.
It is highly dependent upon the substrate behind the modules.
● Also, the mounting structure is not the same as in a conventional module. The installer
has to use the appropriate mounting structure for desired output.
● One has to install these panels on a particular height and angle for better performance.
 “In India, however, it fails to serve its purpose as installers are using monocrystalline panels on
both sides and selling it as bifacial. The installers also do not have the sophisticated mounting
structure arrangement for bifacial solar panels and use the same mounting structure that is used
for normal panels. This does not allow the panel to get sunlight on both the sides. Hence, it has
failed in India. The mounting structure used for bifacial panels are more sophisticated and
expensive and hence, not commonly used by the masses. It is more popular with the affluent
businessmen and is seen atop restaurants, carports and coffee shops, etc.”
REFERENCES
● https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2018/04/what-are-bifacial-solar-modules/
● https://www.chattersource.com/bifacial-solar-panels/
● https://www.univergysolar.com/en/bifacial-solar-panels/
● https://www.loomsolar.com/blogs/collections/bifacial-solar-panels