Hello fellow solar enthusiasts! One of my most fulfilling joys as a solar expert and blogger is to constantly keep my fingers on the pulse of this rapidly evolving field. Today, I’ll be shedding some light on a new breakthrough that has the potential to boost the electricity production capacity of bifacial solar panels.
Before we dive into the details, it’s necessary to clarify a few definitions. For those who are new to solar, bifacial solar panels are an exciting innovation in the solar industry. Unlike traditional solar panels that only capture sunlight on one side, bifacial panels are capable of harnessing solar energy from both sides. This makes them a great choice if you’re considering solar panels for your home!
Now, let’s talk about our Canadian friends to the north. When it comes to solar, solar companies in Canada and other northern climates are particularly fond of bifacial panels. Why? Well, these regions often have snow on the ground, which serves as a highly reflective surface that amplifies the productivity of the panels.
The University of Ottawa’s Sunlab, in collaboration with the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, has been exploring this principle further. They’ve conducted intensive studies on using artificial reflectors to achieve similar productivity boosts in locations that don’t have the benefit of snowy surfaces.
Their findings? Quite interesting! By strategically placing white reflective surfaces directly beneath solar panels, they found an increase in total energy output of up to 4.5%. However, the impact of these artificial reflectors was strongly location-dependent. That means locations with a higher levelized cost of electricity and lower energy yield were more likely to benefit from these additions.
This research is instrumental for many solar companies, considering the constant search for ways to optimize the performance of solar arrays for homes. Not to mention, these artificial reflectors can be a game-changer for densely populated areas where space for solar installations can be a challenge.
One key aspect of their research is about “clipping”, an important factor when estimating the impact of reflectors. Clipping, in solar terms, occurs when the power output from a solar array exceeds an inverter’s power handling ability, reducing reflector energy gain.
In a nutshell, mounting a reflective surface directly under your bifacial solar panel can potentially boost the electricity your solar array generates by a considerable margin. As always, it’s about making the most of the sunlight reaching us.
The solar company that installs your solar panels will be able to provide detailed advice on whether this type of innovation is suitable for your particular location and circumstances. This is another exciting example of how the solar industry continually evolves and innovates to create a brighter, more sustainable future.
In the meantime, keep an eye on my blog for more exciting solar industry updates – because the sun never sets on progress in the world of solar energy!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/05/10/reflective-ground-covers-boost-solar-energy-production/
