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When considering installing solar panels, you want to ensure that they will produce as much energy as possible and maybe reduce your reliance on the national grid ultimately by going “off-grid”, meaning that you will be generating enough electricity to power your whole house on your own.
As solar energy continues to gain momentum as a clean and renewable power source, solar panel manufacturers are constantly searching for ways to improve their products’ efficiency and output. One of the latest innovations in the field of solar energy is the development of bifacial solar panels.
How Do Bifacial solar panels work?
Bifacial solar panels are a type of solar panel that are designed to capture sunlight from both sides of the panel, which increases the amount of energy that can be generated. These panels have a transparent back sheet that allows light to pass through, so the panel’s backside can absorb energy from ambient light and reflected sunlight. This is in contrast to traditional solar panels, which only capture energy from the front side of the panel.
Benefits and Challenges of Bifacial Solar Panels
The benefits of bifacial solar panels are numerous. By capturing energy from both sides of the panel, they can also produce more per square foot than traditional panels. This makes them ideal for use in areas with limited space or where maximising energy output is a priority. Bifacial solar panels can also be more efficient in cloudy conditions, as they can capture energy from reflected sunlight.
There are some challenges associated with bifacial solar panels, however. For example, the panels must be mounted on a surface that reflects light well, such as white gravel or concrete. They can also be more expensive than traditional solar panels, although the increased energy output can often compensate for the additional cost.
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of bifacial solar panels make them an attractive option for many solar energy projects. They are already being used in various applications, from commercial and industrial solar installations to residential solar panels.
Monocrystalline or Polycrystalline Bifacial Solar Panels
According to Solar Guide, solar panels are manufactured in two types of crystalline cells: monocrystalline or polycrystalline. Monocrystalline cells are utilised for most bifacial solar panels because they are the most effective but more expensive to produce than polycrystalline solar panels. Having monocrystalline cells on your bifacial solar panels in combination with an unobstructed view for the bifacial solar panels to attract as much sunlight as possible on both sides will aid in generating more electricity for your home.
How Much More Energy Do Bifacial Solar Panels Produce?
Solar Guide also points out that some manufacturers claim that these bifacial solar panels are intended to produce 30% more energy compared to the standard monofacial/one-sided solar panels and offer a more extended warranty of up to 30 years.
Unlike monofacial solar panels, bifacial solar panels can also be installed vertically. They can be titled at a specific angle to maximise sunlight absorption. Talk to your installer to see which angle best suits your home.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bifacial solar panels represent a promising new technology in the field of solar energy. While they are not without their challenges, their potential to increase energy output and efficiency makes them an attractive option for many solar energy projects. As technology continues to develop, we can expect to see more and more bifacial solar panels being used in various applications.
Contact us today at 0191 500 1154 for more information on our solar panels, or go here for your FREE quote.