What are bifacial solar panels?

Bifacial solar modules are modules that generate energy on both their front and rear sides, based on solar cells with two active sides. While the energy production of traditional monofacial solar panels is relatively easy to forecast, bifacial panels provide a bit more of a challenge.

What are the benefits of two-sided solar panels?

Double-sided solar panels can absorb energy from both sides: they absorb energy directly from the sun and also from the reflected energy off the ground on their rear side. The goal for any solar panel is to absorb as much energy from the sun as possible, and this design allows for an additional energy source.

How do two-sided solar panels function?

Two-sided solar panels can capture sunlight not just from their sun-facing sides, but also light reflected off the ground onto the underside. They can tilt on an axis to always be pointed at an optimal angle to catch the sun’s rays. This allows them to produce 35% more energy compared to traditional single-sided panels.

Do bifacial solar panels produce more energy?

Bifacial modules may produce more energy when installed in optimized conditions. While using bifacial solar panels can yield more energy, it also brings more complexities. Installing SolarEdge’s smart PV solutions in a bifacial system solves many of these complexities and improves the system LCOE.

Do bifacial solar panels have a second rating?

Because this power rating considers only the front side of a solar panel, bifacial modules are also assigned a second rating for the electrical output of the module’s rear side.

Are bifacial solar panels a game changer?

A new generation of bifacial panels capable of capturing light reflected of the ground onto the back side of the panel may be a game changer. Unlike photovoltaic (PV) systems that use traditional monofacial modules, bifacial modules allow light to enter from both the front and back sides of a solar panel.