What are bifacial and monofacial solar panels?

Monofacial panels are commonly used, which means that the outer face of the solar panel, which is where the photovoltaic cells are placed, is the one that receives the sun's rays directly and conducts them, converting them into energy. However, there are also bifacial panels, we analyse their main characteristics as well as their most common uses.

Are bifacial solar panels a good investment?

And, as we’ll discuss, bifacial panels are also more expensive than traditional single-face panels, which can affect the breakeven point of your investment. Bifacial solar panels can capture light energy on both sides of the panel, whereas monofacial panels (AKA traditional solar panels) only absorb sunlight on the front.

Are bifacial solar panels suitable for rooftop installations?

Bifacial solar panels are not suitable for rooftop installations but may work well with residential ground-mounted solar systems. The ideal use case for bifacial solar panels is in commercial and utility-scale solar installations.

Are bifacial panels more energy efficient?

With more surface area available to absorb sunlight, bifacial panels are generally more efficient than traditional monofacial panels. For example, a study by solar panel manufacturer LONGi found that bifacial panels produced 11% more energy than standard panels as part of a ground-mounted installation.

Can bifacial panels be installed on a roof?

For residential projects, bifacial panels can be effective with ground-mounted systems. However, they’re less practical for rooftop installations, where the sunlight only comes from one direction; your house would cover the backside of the panel, defeating the purpose of bifacial modules.

What are bifacial panels?

Bifacial panels have a slim profile compared to monofacial panels. They often have minimal framing and are enclosed in a thin, transparent layer of either a dual-glass design or a clear back sheet. Mounting systems for bifacial panels are also designed differently to maximize energy capture from both sides.