Bifacial Vs. monofacial solar panels? The traditional monofacial module has three basic layers: glass, solar cells, and a TPT backsheet.
Because the back sheet is opaque, the panel can only collect direct sunlight that falls on its surface.
At the same time, the structural elements of bifacial modules are front cover glass, solar cells, and rear cover glass, which enable them to produce electricity from the back and front of the panels.
To better understand them, I will go over them in-depth so you can first understand both categories’ basic structure and operation.
Let us start now.
You can also read this: Bifacial solar panels advantages and disadvantages.
Monofacial vs. Bifacial Solar Panels
Bifacial panels maintain a higher performance rate by allocating a greater surface area to the absorption and capture of solar radiation.
This is because they manage to produce energy on both sides, although not on equal scales. The side being front is responsible for the greatest absorption.
Although it does not double the energy produced as expected, this multiplication of the surface area in the bifacial panels only allows an improvement in solar energy production ranging from 5% to 25%.
Hence, many users install more monofacial panels to produce greater solar energy.
Bifacial panels can be installed in climatic conditions with much snow, in desert areas, or on light-colored roofs.
Due to the proven ability of these light colors to reflect sunlight, they allow it to be absorbed by the back side of these plates.
Monofacial panels, on the other hand, are much cheaper, and the installation process is also simpler as it does not have to maintain any space between the roof and the back of the photovoltaic panel.
What Are Bifacial Solar Panels?
The bifacial solar panels are produced in two-sided ways to absorb sunlight and produce electricity from both the front and rear sides of the panel.
In contrast, regular solar panels can only receive energy from the front side.
Because the bifacial panels can receive sunlight that it converts for electricity production from both sides, it has also given it the advantage of being more efficient at generating electricity.
The bifacial panels can be beneficial in places where sunlight reflects off surfaces, like snow or water; hence, they can absorb reflected sunlight more efficiently.
What Are Monofacial Solar Panels?
There are some similarities between monofacial and bifacial solar panels. The main difference is that monofacial panels only have one side that absorbs light.
Monofacial solar panels work with the sunshine that hits their front area directly. One advantage of monofacial solar panels is they cost less than monofacial panels.
One reason why Monofacial solar panels are more popular is because of this, not because they are better in completely.
Summary Bifacial vs Monofacial Panels:
Bifacial Panels:
- It relies on its energy production on the front and back sides.
- It takes advantage of the radiation falling on the front face and reflected from the back.
- The back layer is called transparent glaze.
- Heavier weight.
- Produces up to 20% more power under ideal conditions and the same capacity.
- More efficient and durable.
- It gives higher efficiency with the same plate area.
- Must be installed at high heights (1.5 meters and above).
- Requires special installation conditions.
- Slightly higher initial cost.
- The cost of installation bases is higher
Monofacial Panels:
- It relies only on the front side for its energy production.
- The back layer is called the back sheet and is usually white.
- It only exploits the radiation falling on the front face.
- Lightest weight.
- Produces less power at the same capacity.
- Less efficiency.
- The cost of installation bases is lower.
- It can be installed at low heights.
- Lower initial cost.
- Does not require special installation conditions.
- Less efficient and durable.
What Is The Difference Between Bifacial And Monofacial Solar Panels
The basic difference between bifacial and monofacial is based on the surface available to capture solar radiation fully.
The important function of the plate with which these plates will operate is to produce solar electrical energy to fulfill the demands—domestic and commercial sources of affordable, clean, and renewable energy.
In general, monofacial solar panels feature photovoltaic cells on only one of their faces and an aluminum surface on the back that does not allow absorption.
Photovoltaic cells in bifacial panels collect solar radiation on both sides owing to an alkaline texturing process.
The Difference Between Bifacial and Monofacial Solar Panels
To understand these bits in detail, you need to understand other basics of what makes the difference:
- The monofacial panels use only the front side to produce energy, while dual panels use the front and back sides.
- The back layer of the monofacial solar panel is made of what is called the back sheet. In contrast, the back layer of the double panels is made of transparent insulating glass to allow reflected radiation to reach the solar cells from the back.
- Bifacial panels are heavier than Monofacial panels due to a glass layer on the back.
- Bifacial panels give more aesthetics than monofacial panels when installed in corridors and public places.
- Bifacial panels produce more energy than monofacial panels at the same capacity and area.
- Single panels can be installed on any surface and at heights to avoid shadows. Still, in double panels, it varies according to the naturalness and cleanliness of the surface, the extent of the ability to reflect radiation and the height of the panels from the surface.
- The installation cost of Bifacial is higher in terms of installation bases and height than single panels.
- Bifacial panels require special conditions for installation, unlike single-face panels.
- The initial cost of bifacial panels is more than monofacial panels.
- Bifacial panels give more efficiency and higher durability compared to single-face panels.
- The installation height of dual panels affects productivity, while mono panels are unaffected.
What Is The Disadvantage Of Bifacial Solar Panels?
By now, we should know what bifacial solar panels are all about.
Their unique quality is that they use both sides to absorb energy to generate electricity. They are also affordable and excellent in their efficiency.
There are both advantages and disadvantages that come with bifacial solar panels, just like every other thing in life, but the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.
And you can read full details of the advantages of bifacial solar panels here. Meanwhile, the following pros are associated with bifacial solar panels.
Disadvantages of Bifacial solar panel
One of the main disadvantages of bifacial solar panels is that they are more expensive than monoracial ones.
They generally cost 10% more than other modules due to their specific manufacturing process.
This additional cost will be compensated only under certain conditions.
Another fact is that bifacial solar panels are more fragile than normal monofacial panels, so they cannot be installed everywhere.
However, their performance in terms of electricity production continues.
The shape of the panel also restricts its installation options. Their dual-sided cells made them incompatible with roofs.
Bifacial solar requires free space to produce the most energy.
Installation is significantly more difficult, necessitating specialized equipment due to the higher weight of the second glass sheet per panel.
The mounting structure is specific to the array format and cannot be used with other PV arrays.
Installing them on grass or soil negates the benefit of the second face since no light is reflected.
What Is The Best Solar Panel For Home Use?
Before we even consider which form of solar panel is the most powerful or most significant.
Let me take a quick look at the market’s three types of solar panels and their efficiency.
These solar panels are created differently and serve different purposes and goals. It will help us determine which is better or more powerful for our home use.
Monocrystalline Solar Panel
Monocrystalline solar panels are made of black PV cells with rounded corners.
They are generally the most efficient, producing the most kilowatt-hours of power capacity ratings, ranging from 15% to 22%.
Monocrystalline solar cells are built of a single silicon crystal.
With mono-facial cells are assured to perform well in all weather situations, making them an excellent choice.
As a result, monocrystalline solar panels often have greater power output ratings than polycrystalline or thin-film modules.
They are also the most costly due to the more complex production process of single-crystal silicon cells.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline solar panels are photovoltaic modules manufactured using a different technique than ordinary ones.
This entails melting the semiconductor material silicon, generating molds, and then cutting these to create solar cells.
This technique provides the panel with one of its most distinguishing features: the dark blue tint of its cells.
Because the cell molding process is not uniform, numerous branches and, hence, smaller crystals are created; this procedure gives rise to polycrystalline solar panels.
Thin-Film Solar Cell
If you want a less expensive solar panel solution, thin film can be worth considering.
Thin-film solar panels are created by depositing one or more photovoltaic films (such as silicon, cadmium, or copper) onto a substrate.
Thin film yields were very low, well below 10% not long ago. They have roughly 23.4% efficiency with thin-film cell prototypes.
However, the commercially available thin-film panels have an efficiency of 10-13% range.
Despite having lower performance specifications in most other areas, thin film panels have the best temperature coefficient, which indicates that when a solar panel’s temperature rises, the panel generates less power.
Thin-film solar panels are also flexible, allowing for various alternate uses.
The most significant disadvantage is that they occupy large areas, making them unsuitable for residential installations.
Furthermore, they have the lowest guarantees since their lifespan is less than that of monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels.
Factors To Consider While Selecting A Solar Panel Type
When selecting solar panels for your house, two factors are more significant than solar PV cell type: the brand of solar panels and finding the correct installation.
Choosing a reputable solar panel manufacturer means placing a high-quality product on your roof, regardless of the panel.
However, while selecting the sort of solar panel you want, you need to be aware of the rating of the solar panel you are installing:
- Fire rating based on temperature
- The hail rating
- Hurricane classification
However, even though they are more efficient, they could be more appropriate for your system. The other varieties each have their own set of benefits and applications.
Final Thought
Now that you have seen the difference between bifacial vs monoficial solar panels.
It is important to note that they all have their importance and uniqueness, so you must decide what suits your needs at a particular time.
However, bifacial panels will be the option if you are looking at high performance.
They are generally not recommended for residential customers due to cost and the fact that the backside will produce little on residential roofs.
See the complete details about what bifacial solar panels are.
