I'm curious if it actually makes a difference to reflect sunlight onto the backs of bifacial solar panels. I have a ground-mount system and was considering using white sheeting or laying down some light-colored stones to potentially increase the solar output. Is it really worth the effort?
3 Answers
In theory, reflecting sunlight onto bifacial panels can help boost energy output. Things like white sheeting or light-colored stones should work. But one thing to keep in mind is thermal management since overheating can be an issue!
A lot of videos on YouTube say it works, but be cautious. These tests often use single panels or have large gaps between them. If you’ve got multiple panels close together, the shadows from each can really cut down any gains. I’ve seen reports of about a 2-3% increase with closely spaced setups, which might not be worth the hassle. Bifacial panels are super useful in areas with blockages, so maximizing their placement might be a better move!
I've got a bifacial system, and on cold snowy days, I notice about a 5% boost in output. For me, the extra production is really important during the winter when I want to minimize grid dependency. I think just having more panels could be more effective overall!