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Bifacial Photovoltaics 2021: Status, Opportunities and Challenges

Author

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  • Radovan Kopecek

    (ISC Konstanz, Rudolf-Diesel Straße 15, 78462 Konstanz, Germany)

  • Joris Libal

    (ISC Konstanz, Rudolf-Diesel Straße 15, 78462 Konstanz, Germany)

Abstract

In this paper we summarize the status of bifacial photovoltaics (PV) and explain why the move to bifaciality is unavoidable when it comes to e.g., lowest electricity generation costs or agricultural PV (AgriPV). Bifacial modules—those that are sensitive to light incident from both sides—are finally available at the same price per watt peak as their standard monofacial equivalents. The reason for this is that bifacial solar cells are the result of an evolution of crystalline Si PV cell technology and, at the same time, module producers are increasingly switching to double glass modules anyway due to the improved module lifetimes, which allows them to offer longer product warrantees. We describe the general properties of the state-of-the-art bifacial module, review the different bifacial solar cells and module technologies available on the market, and summarize their average costs. Adding complexity to a module comes with the increase of possible degradation mechanisms, requiring more thorough testing, e.g., for rear side PID (Potential Induced Degradation). We show that with the use of bifacial modules in fixed tilt systems, gains in annual energy yield of up to 30% can be expected compared to the monofacial equivalent. With the combination of bifacial modules in simple single axis tracking systems, energy yield increases of more than 40% can be expected compared to fixed tilt monofacial installations. Rudimentary simulations of bifacial systems can be performed with commercially available programs. However, when more detailed and precise simulations are required, it is necessary to use more advanced programs such as those developed at several institutes. All in all, as bifacial PV—being the most cost-effective PV solution—is now becoming also bankable, it is becoming the overall best technology for electricity generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Radovan Kopecek & Joris Libal, 2021. "Bifacial Photovoltaics 2021: Status, Opportunities and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-16, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:8:p:2076-:d:532598
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. R. Kopecek & J. Libal, 2018. "Towards large-scale deployment of bifacial photovoltaics," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 3(6), pages 443-446, June.
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    1. Elmehdi Mouhib & Leonardo Micheli & Florencia M. Almonacid & Eduardo F. Fernández, 2022. "Overview of the Fundamentals and Applications of Bifacial Photovoltaic Technology: Agrivoltaics and Aquavoltaics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-30, November.
    2. Arkadiusz Dobrzycki & Dariusz Kurz & Ewa Maćkowiak, 2021. "Influence of Selected Working Conditions on Electricity Generation in Bifacial Photovoltaic Modules in Polish Climatic Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-24, August.
    3. Ludwik Wicki & Robert Pietrzykowski & Dariusz Kusz, 2022. "Factors Determining the Development of Prosumer Photovoltaic Installations in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-19, August.
    4. Ortega, Eneko & Suarez, Sergio & Jimeno, Juan Carlos & Gutierrez, Jose Rubén & Fano, Vanesa & Otaegi, Aloña & Rivas, Jose Manuel & Navas, Gustavo & Fernandez, Ignacio & Rodriguez-Conde, Sofia, 2024. "An statistical model for the short-term albedo estimation applied to PV bifacial modules," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    5. Bartłomiej Mroczek & Paweł Pijarski, 2021. "DSO Strategies Proposal for the LV Grid of the Future," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-19, October.
    6. Polo, Jesús & Alonso-Abella, Miguel & Marcos, Ana & Sanz-Saiz, Carlos & Martín-Chivelet, Nuria, 2024. "On the use of reference modules in characterizing the performance of bifacial modules for rooftop canopy applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    7. Małgorzata Jastrzębska, 2022. "Installation’s Conception in the Field of Renewable Energy Sources for the Needs of the Silesian Botanical Garden," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-28, September.
    8. Gabriella-Stefánia Szabó & Róbert Szabó & Loránd Szabó, 2022. "A Review of the Mitigating Methods against the Energy Conversion Decrease in Solar Panels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-21, September.
    9. Rahimat O. Yakubu & Maame T. Ankoh & Lena D. Mensah & David A. Quansah & Muyiwa S. Adaramola, 2022. "Predicting the Potential Energy Yield of Bifacial Solar PV Systems in Low-Latitude Region," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-17, November.
    10. Kakoulaki, G. & Szabo, S. & Fahl F, F. & Taylor, N. & Gracia-Amillo, A. & Kenny, R. & Ulpiani, G. & Chatzipanagi, A. & Gkoumas, K. & Jäger-Waldau, A., 2024. "European transport infrastructure as a solar photovoltaic energy hub," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    11. Shitao Wang & Yi Shen & Junbing Zhou & Caixia Li & Lijun Ma, 2022. "Efficiency Enhancement of Tilted Bifacial Photovoltaic Modules with Horizontal Single-Axis Tracker—The Bifacial Companion Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-22, February.
    12. Reher, Thomas & Lavaert, Cas & Willockx, Brecht & Huyghe, Yasmin & Bisschop, Jolien & Martens, Johan A. & Diels, Jan & Cappelle, Jan & Van de Poel, Bram, 2024. "Potential of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) production in vertical bifacial, tracked, or elevated agrivoltaic systems in Belgium," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 359(C).

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