Bifacial Solar Module

A bifacial solar module (from Latin bis meaning 'double' and facies meaning 'face') is a special type of photovoltaic module that, unlike conventional modules, is sensitive to light on both sides. This means that both the front and the back of the module can convert sunlight into electrical energy.

Functionality:

• Dual-sided light absorption: While conventional modules only utilize direct sunlight on the front side, bifacial modules can also capture diffuse and reflected radiation on the back side.
• Higher efficiency: By utilizing both sides, the overall efficiency of the module is increased.
• Transparent back: The back side of bifacial modules is typically transparent or equipped with a special coating to allow light to penetrate.

Advantages:

• Increased energy yield: Bifacial modules achieve a higher energy yield in many installation situations, especially in installations on open areas or roofs with bright substrates (e.g., snow, sand).
• Flexibility: Bifacial modules are suitable for various applications, from large ground-mounted systems to smaller rooftop installations.
• Future technology: Bifacial modules are considered a promising technology for enhancing the efficiency of photovoltaic systems.

Disadvantages:

• Higher costs: Bifacial modules are generally more expensive than conventional modules.
• Dependence on environmental conditions: The additional yield from the back side heavily depends on environmental conditions, such as the reflectivity of the substrate and light conditions.

Areas of application:

• Ground-mounted systems: Here, bifacial modules can particularly benefit from the additional radiation reflected by the surrounding landscape.
• Rooftop systems: Bifacial modules can also be used on rooftops, especially with bright substrates or when the modules are installed on an elevated mounting structure.

Conclusion:

Bifacial solar modules represent an innovative advancement in photovoltaics. With their ability to utilize sunlight from both sides, they offer the potential for more efficient electricity generation. Whether the use of bifacial modules is worthwhile depends on the individual conditions and specific requirements of a system.

Additional keywords: photovoltaics, solar cell, solar module, efficiency, renewable energies