If you're searching for bifacial solar panels for sale, choosing high-quality panels is only the beginning. The way the panels are installed can have a major impact on how much electricity they generate.
Unlike traditional monofacial solar panels, bifacial modules can produce electricity from both the front and rear surfaces. This means the mounting system, panel height, spacing, surface underneath and surrounding environment all need to be considered carefully.
Choose the Right Mounting System
The mounting system is particularly important when installing bifacial solar panels.
The panels should have sufficient space behind them to allow reflected and scattered sunlight to reach the rear surface. Installing modules too close to a solid or dark surface can reduce the amount of useful light reaching the back.
Ground-mounted and elevated systems can therefore provide excellent opportunities to maximise bifacial performance.
Consider Panel Height
The distance between the panels and the surface beneath them can influence how much light reaches the rear of the modules.
Raising the panels can allow sunlight to reach the rear from a wider range of angles. This can increase the amount of reflected light available to the rear solar cells.
However, a higher mounting structure can also increase installation costs. The additional potential energy generation should therefore be balanced against the overall cost of the system.
Use Reflective Surfaces
The surface underneath the panels can have a significant impact on bifacial gain.
Light-coloured and reflective surfaces generally reflect more sunlight towards the rear of the modules, while darker surfaces tend to absorb more light.
Depending on the installation, materials such as light-coloured roofing, concrete or suitable reflective ground surfaces may help increase the amount of light available to the rear of the panels.
Allow Sufficient Panel Spacing
Panel spacing should be considered carefully during the design stage.
If modules are installed too close together, they can restrict the amount of light reaching the rear of neighbouring panels. Appropriate spacing can allow more reflected and scattered light to reach the back of the modules.
This is particularly important for larger ground-mounted solar systems, where the layout can be designed specifically around bifacial performance.
Minimise Shading
Shading can reduce the output of any solar panel, and it is especially important to consider with bifacial systems.
Trees, buildings, mounting structures and neighbouring panels can all create unwanted shadows.
The site should ideally be assessed throughout the day and across different seasons to identify potential shading issues before installation.
Minimising unnecessary shading can help maximise the amount of sunlight available to both sides of the panels.
Consider Orientation and Tilt
Panel orientation and tilt angle affect the amount of sunlight reaching the modules.
A well-designed system should maximise direct sunlight on the front while also creating favourable conditions for reflected light to reach the rear.
There is no single tilt angle that works perfectly for every installation. The ideal configuration depends on factors such as location, roof design, available space and mounting arrangement.
Keep the Panels Clean
Dirt, dust and debris can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching solar modules.
Regular inspection and appropriate maintenance can help keep the panels operating efficiently.
For bifacial installations, it is also important to consider the rear of the modules. Debris accumulating underneath the panels can reduce the amount of light reaching the rear surface.
Consider the Surrounding Environment
The environment around the solar panels can influence their performance.
Surfaces, vegetation, nearby structures and seasonal conditions can all affect the amount of light reaching the modules.
For example, a light-coloured surface may provide considerably more reflected light than a dark surface. Understanding these conditions during the design stage can help installers optimise the system.
Check Equipment Compatibility
Your bifacial panels need to work correctly with the other components in your solar system.
Before installation, check compatibility with:
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Solar inverters
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Mounting systems
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Battery storage
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Monitoring equipment
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Electrical protection equipment
The electrical characteristics of the panels should be suitable for the selected inverter and other system components.
Monitor System Performance
Once the system has been installed, monitoring its performance can help identify potential issues.
Monitoring can highlight unexpected changes in generation caused by factors such as:
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Shading
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Dirt or debris
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Equipment faults
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Performance degradation
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Other installation problems
Regular monitoring is particularly useful for larger commercial and ground-mounted systems.
Work With an Experienced Installer
Getting the installation design right is essential when using bifacial technology.
An experienced solar installer can assess factors including:
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Panel height
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Surface reflectivity
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Panel spacing
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Shading
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Orientation
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Tilt angle
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Mounting structure
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Electrical compatibility
This helps ensure that the rear side of the panels can be used as effectively as possible.
Conclusion
When looking for bifacial solar panels for sale, it's important to remember that panel quality is only one part of achieving good performance. The installation itself can have a significant impact on how much additional electricity the rear of the modules produces.
Using an appropriate mounting system, allowing sufficient spacing, maximising reflected light and reducing shading can all help improve bifacial performance.
With the right equipment and a carefully designed installation, bifacial solar panels can provide an effective way to maximise renewable energy generation from your available space.
In the final article of this series, we'll look at whether bifacial solar panels are worth the investment and what you should consider before buying them.
