Hey everyone! I recently picked up a bunch of ~550W bifacial solar panels at an auction for a great deal, and I'm trying to figure out how to best utilize them for my off-grid homestead in the desert. I've done some reading on bifacial panels, but honestly, I'm left with more questions than answers. I've seen installations where the panels are mounted vertically, which has been termed 'revolutionizing farmland,' but it seems like that could just be hype since those setups don't optimize sunlight and may even cast shadows on crops.
Since my panels will be fixed or have limited tracking, I'm considering manually adjusting them to catch the sun in the mornings and evenings. From my experience with my current setup, I worry that vertical mounts might only be beneficial during summer.
Also, I'm curious about how much energy I can actually gain from reflections hitting the backside of these panels. I suspect that reflected light is less effective, but I'd love to hear your thoughts and any experiences you might have had with maximizing the output of bifacial panels!
3 Answers
Honestly, the price difference isn't much these days. I recently installed bifacial panels leaning against a white wall, and while I’ve noticed a slight increase in output, it’s not something I’d pay extra for. The real kicker is to make sure they're positioned well to catch direct sunlight when you can.
For ground-mounted setups, raising the panels can help, but don't expect miracles. They’re especially useful for roof mounts because the glass backs are durable and less prone to damage compared to traditional panels. You can also mount them vertically in some cases, which is good for crops that don’t need full sun all day. Long story short, if you plan to roof mount, just go for it—bifacial panels have their benefits but aren’t always as groundbreaking as people claim.
It really depends on how you plan to use them. If you're mounting them on a sloped roof, bifacial panels won't offer much advantage. But if they're on the ground or a flat roof with reflective surfaces below, you could see a significant boost in production—like nearly 20%. Just think about your specific situation and whether they fit your needs.