Solar power has immense potential to put the world on the path of zero pollution again. When utilised the right way with the help of rooftop PV panels, solar power can reverse global warming by limiting the emission of greenhouse gases.
Whether it’s the ghost of mounting electricity bills that’s chasing you or you’re aware of the serious repercussions of global warming, it’s a solar PV system that can solve all these issues.
In this guide, we will be specifically focusing on the pricing, pros, and cons of a bifacial solar panel. Although mono panels and poly panels are more popular in residential rooftop installations, understanding bifacial solar panels is important too.
Take a plunge and explore the world of solar panels like never before.
What are bifacial cells?
Solar cells are the building blocks of solar panels. There are n-number of materials that are used to manufacture solar cells but it’s silicon that’s the most frequently used material when it comes to solar panels.
Bifacial solar cells are a type of solar cell that can generate electricity from sunlight on both front and back sides. They are typically made of semiconductor materials such as silicon and are placed between two transparent layers that allow light to pass through. The front side of the cell absorbs direct sunlight and the back side captures reflected light, increasing the overall energy generation compared to traditional monofacial solar cells.
Bifacial solar cells are also made of silicon. Putting it out simply, a bifacial solar cell is nothing but two silicon cells stacked together in such a way that they face the opposite direction.
What are bifacial solar panels?
Bifacial solar panels are a type of photovoltaic (PV) panels that have the ability to capture light and generate electricity from both the front and back sides. These panels are usually made of transparent or semi-transparent materials, allowing sunlight to penetrate through the panel and be absorbed by the solar cells on the back side. This results in increased energy generation compared to traditional monofacial solar panels.
When many bifacial cells are stacked together, the resulting structure is a bifacial solar panel. Both sides of bifacial panels generate electricity since solar cells are present on both sides.
Interestingly, there’s further variety in bifacial panels too: they can be made of polycrystalline cells as well as monocrystalline cells.
Working of bifacial solar: How’s it different?
A bifacial panel is the most efficient type of solar panel. Let’s walk you through the working to make things easier now.
The front side of the bifacial solar panels collects direct sunlight
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The backside of the bifacial solar panel collects sunlight that hits the ground and is reflected
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Together, the two sides trap more sunlight than a monofacial panel
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The trapped photons are converted into DC power
This systematically explained working might give out the impression that bifacial PV panels give double the output of monofacial panels. But that’s not the case. The output that’s generated by a bifacial panel is 4-5% higher than one-sided (traditional) panels.
The actual significance of bifacial panels comes to use when solar trackers are installed. Needless to say, solar panel bifacial types are more beneficial in industrial and commercial setups.
Monofacial vs Bifacial Solar Panels
Technology is and has always been the key to advancement and betterment – solar panels are no different. There’s always a new version that makes the older one obsolete. Does it mean that monofacial panels will be taken over by bifacial PV panels in the near future?
Let’s walk you through the differences first before handing out a verdict.
Monofacial Solar Panels with Polycrystalline cells
Just the front side collects sunlight
The efficiency ranges between 16-17%
The current cost is approximately ₹25.5/watt
Monofacial Solar Panels with monocrystalline cells
Just the front side collects sunlight
The efficiency ranges between 19-20%
The current cost is approximately ₹31/watt
Bifacial Solar panels
Both, the front and back sides collect sunlight
The efficiency shoots up to 22%
The current cost is roughly ₹32.5/watt
Clearly, bifacial solar panels are more expensive than monofacial panels; but they’re slightly more efficient as well. Yet, it’s not anytime soon that bifacial panels will replace monofacial panels in the residential sector.
Despite their increased efficiency, the output they offer is only 4-5% higher. And the cost difference against the marginally higher output doesn’t matter much in the residential sector.
In fact, the performance of bifacial panels also depends on the surface they’re installed on.
Snow, for instance, reflects a lot of light. Hence, a bifacial solar panel will perform better in snowy weather.
Benefits and Limitations of a Bifacial Solar Panel
An eager mind always wants more specifics before making a decision. Hence, we’ve curated this section on the benefits and limitations of bifacial PV panels.
Benefits of bifacial panels:
– They have better efficiency
– They perform better when the weather is cloudy or there’s snow
– They are apt sources to trap sunlight and produce clean electricity
Limitations of bifacial panels:
– They’re expensive additions to the residential sector
– They perform to their best calliper when trackers are installed. But the inclusion of solar trackers increases the maintenance cost.
Bifacial panels for residential installations: What hinders the popularity?
It shouldn’t be hard to understand the reasons why a bifacial solar panel is not that great an option when it comes to the residential sector.
They’re more expensive. Plus, installing solar trackers increases the upkeep of panels as well. In the end, having a solar panel bifacial type will only increase the break-even period.
Conclusion:
A bifacial solar panel has an efficiency of up to 22% but it’s also about ₹1.5/watt costlier than monofacial solar panels. When comparing the increased output (4-5%) with the cost variation, bifacial solar isn’t the best choice for residential installations.
But they’re commercially more suitable.
Frequently asked Questions on Bifacial Solar Panels
1. Are bifacial solar panels better?
It entirely depends on the context and use case.
They’re better in terms of efficiency and output. But they’re not better when it comes to residential installations.
2. Are bifacial solar panels more expensive?
Yes, a bifacial solar panel is more expensive. It is approximately ₹1.5/watt costlier than monofacial solar panels.
3. What are the disadvantages of a bifacial solar panel?
Their cost is their biggest limitation, especially in the residential sector. If solar trackers are installed, it only increases the maintenance cost and the break-even period.
Hence, these panels are recommended when the solar plant is being installed for commercial or industrial purposes on surfaces that are more reflective.
Looking for best solar installer for your residence or industry, visit www.hvsolar.co.in or submit your contact details on 8700102836 or info@hvsolar.co.in