The article "Analysis of specifications of bifacial photovoltaic panels" was published in the journal "Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews".
Unlike smartphones with a double-sided screen, solar panels with two working surfaces (bPVP) are spreading at a tremendous speed. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the number of photovoltaic systems in the world is increasing by a quarter each year. The share of bifacial panels in this market in 2023 exceeded half, and by 2028, it is predicted to reach 70%.
The design of bPVP cells allows them to capture sunlight from both the front and back sides, meaning both direct and reflected rays. Such panels can generate 5-30% more energy than monofacial ones. They mitigate the impact of shading and the angle of sunlight, providing more stable energy generation throughout the day and in different seasons. Bifacial panels are most effective on surfaces with high reflectivity, such as light-colored sand or snow.
The article by scientists from Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University and Shiraz University presents a global analysis of all passport parameters of 499 different bifacial photovoltaic panels (bPVP) from 236 manufacturers worldwide. The sample includes all the most widespread technologies for their production. A ranking based on 16 parameters was conducted.
The researchers established the highest, lowest, and median values for each parameter for every bPVP. Data on the degree of variability of the panels' characteristics were obtained. The analysis allowed for the identification of the technology that provides the best bPVP parameters – this is the heterojunction hybrid technology, which combines the advantages of crystalline silicon solar cells and thin-film technologies.
The results of the analysis can be widely used by researchers in modeling the operating modes of photovoltaic systems and in preparing the technical and economic feasibility study for their implementation.
