IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i5p1296-d1606652.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

An Analysis of the Increase in Energy Efficiency of Photovoltaic Installations by Using Bifacial Modules

Author

Listed:
  • Dariusz Kurz

    (Institute of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, Faculty of Automatic, Robotics and Electrical Engineering, Poznań University of Technology, St. Piotrowo 3A, 60-965 Poznań, Poland)

  • Arkadiusz Dobrzycki

    (Institute of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, Faculty of Automatic, Robotics and Electrical Engineering, Poznań University of Technology, St. Piotrowo 3A, 60-965 Poznań, Poland)

  • Ewelina Krawczak

    (Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Lublin University of Technology, St. Nadbystrzycka 40B, 20-618 Lublin, Poland)

  • Jarosław Jajczyk

    (Institute of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, Faculty of Automatic, Robotics and Electrical Engineering, Poznań University of Technology, St. Piotrowo 3A, 60-965 Poznań, Poland)

  • Jakub Mielczarek

    (Institute of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, Faculty of Automatic, Robotics and Electrical Engineering, Poznań University of Technology, St. Piotrowo 3A, 60-965 Poznań, Poland)

  • Waldemar Woźniak

    (Institute of Materials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Zielona Gora, St. Licealna 9, 65-417 Zielona Gora, Poland)

  • Michał Sąsiadek

    (Institute of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zielona Gora, St. Licealna 9, 65-417 Zielona Gora, Poland)

  • Olga Orynycz

    (Department of Production Management, Faculty of Engineering Management, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska Street 45A, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland)

  • Karol Tucki

    (Department of Production Engineering, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska Street 164, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Ewa Badzińska

    (Faculty of Engineering Management, Institute of Logistics, Poznań University of Technology, St. J. Rychlewskiego 2, 60-965 Poznań, Poland)

Abstract

This work concerns the experimental verification of changes in the energy efficiency of photovoltaic installations through the use of bifacial modules. For this purpose, an experimental stand was designed and built for the comparative analysis of the efficiency of two types of photovoltaic panels: bifacial (bPV) and monofacial (mPV). The tests consisted of placing the panels at different heights above the ground surface and at different angles. During the tests, three substrates with different albedo were taken into account: green grass, gray concrete (fabric), and white snow (polystyrene). The tests for both types of panels were carried out simultaneously (in parallel), which guaranteed the same environmental conditions (temperature and solar radiation intensity). Based on the results of the voltage and current measurements for different angles of PV module inclination and, for bPV panels, different heights above the ground surface and different types of substrate, a series of current–voltage characteristics and power characteristics were plotted. The “additional” energy efficiency of bifacial panels compared to monofacial panels was also determined. It was shown that under favorable conditions, using bifacial panels instead of monofacial panels can increase the production of electricity by more than 56% from structures of the same dimensions. The research results can be of great value when designing photovoltaic installations.

Suggested Citation

  • Dariusz Kurz & Arkadiusz Dobrzycki & Ewelina Krawczak & Jarosław Jajczyk & Jakub Mielczarek & Waldemar Woźniak & Michał Sąsiadek & Olga Orynycz & Karol Tucki & Ewa Badzińska, 2025. "An Analysis of the Increase in Energy Efficiency of Photovoltaic Installations by Using Bifacial Modules," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-25, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:5:p:1296-:d:1606652
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/5/1296/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/5/1296/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Salim Bouchakour & Daniel Valencia-Caballero & Alvaro Luna & Eduardo Roman & El Amin Kouadri Boudjelthia & Pedro Rodríguez, 2021. "Modelling and Simulation of Bifacial PV Production Using Monofacial Electrical Models," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Ibukun Damilola Fajuke & Atanda K. Raji, 2022. "Firefly Algorithm-Based Optimization of the Additional Energy Yield of Bifacial PV Modules," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Ewa Chodakowska & Joanicjusz Nazarko & Łukasz Nazarko & Hesham S. Rabayah, 2024. "Solar Radiation Forecasting: A Systematic Meta-Review of Current Methods and Emerging Trends," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-27, June.
    4. Muehleisen, W. & Loeschnig, J. & Feichtner, M. & Burgers, A.R. & Bende, E.E. & Zamini, S. & Yerasimou, Y. & Kosel, J. & Hirschl, C. & Georghiou, G.E., 2021. "Energy yield measurement of an elevated PV system on a white flat roof and a performance comparison of monofacial and bifacial modules," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 613-619.
    5. 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.
    6. Amir A. Abdallah & Maulid Kivambe & Brahim Aïssa & Benjamin W. Figgis, 2023. "Performance of Monofacial and Bifacial Silicon Heterojunction Modules under Desert Conditions and the Impact of PV Soiling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-13, May.
    7. Appelbaum, J., 2016. "Bifacial photovoltaic panels field," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 338-343.
    8. Guo, Siyu & Walsh, Timothy Michael & Peters, Marius, 2013. "Vertically mounted bifacial photovoltaic modules: A global analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 447-454.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tao, Yunkun & Bai, Jianbo & Pachauri, Rupendra Kumar & Wang, Yue & Li, Jian & Attaher, Harouna Kerzika, 2021. "Parameterizing mismatch loss in bifacial photovoltaic modules with global deployment: A comprehensive study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).
    2. Guerrero-Lemus, R. & Vega, R. & Kim, Taehyeon & Kimm, Amy & Shephard, L.E., 2016. "Bifacial solar photovoltaics – A technology review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1533-1549.
    3. Sun, Xingshu & Khan, Mohammad Ryyan & Deline, Chris & Alam, Muhammad Ashraful, 2018. "Optimization and performance of bifacial solar modules: A global perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 1601-1610.
    4. Juhee Jang & Kyungsoo Lee, 2020. "Practical Performance Analysis of a Bifacial PV Module and System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-13, August.
    5. Ganesan, K. & Winston, D. Prince & Sugumar, S. & Prasath, T. Hari, 2024. "Performance investigation of n-type PERT bifacial solar photovoltaic module installed at different elevations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    6. Hayibo, Koami Soulemane & Petsiuk, Aliaksei & Mayville, Pierce & Brown, Laura & Pearce, Joshua M., 2022. "Monofacial vs bifacial solar photovoltaic systems in snowy environments," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 657-668.
    7. Patel, M. Tahir & Khan, M. Ryyan & Sun, Xingshu & Alam, Muhammad A., 2019. "A worldwide cost-based design and optimization of tilted bifacial solar farms," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 467-479.
    8. Basak, Achintya & Chakraborty, Suprava & Behura, Aruna Kumar, 2025. "Tilt angle optimization for bifacial PV module: Balancing direct and reflected irradiance on white painted ground surfaces," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PB).
    9. Chudinzow, Dimitrij & Nagel, Sylvio & Güsewell, Joshua & Eltrop, Ludger, 2020. "Vertical bifacial photovoltaics – A complementary technology for the European electricity supply?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    10. Khan, M. Ryyan & Sakr, Enas & Sun, Xingshu & Bermel, Peter & Alam, Muhammad A., 2019. "Ground sculpting to enhance energy yield of vertical bifacial solar farms," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C), pages 592-598.
    11. 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.
    12. Khan, M. Ryyan & Hanna, Amir & Sun, Xingshu & Alam, Muhammad A., 2017. "Vertical bifacial solar farms: Physics, design, and global optimization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 240-248.
    13. Zimmerman, Ryan & Panda, Anurag & Bulović, Vladimir, 2020. "Techno-economic assessment and deployment strategies for vertically-mounted photovoltaic panels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    14. Emad M. Ahmed & Mokhtar Aly & Manar Mostafa & Hegazy Rezk & Hammad Alnuman & Waleed Alhosaini, 2022. "An Accurate Model for Bifacial Photovoltaic Panels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-27, December.
    15. Thomas Bröthaler & Marcus Rennhofer & Daniel Brandl & Thomas Mach & Andreas Heinz & Gusztáv Újvári & Helga C. Lichtenegger & Harald Rennhofer, 2021. "Performance Analysis of a Facade-Integrated Photovoltaic Powered Cooling System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-21, April.
    16. Lou, Siwei & Li, Danny H.W. & Lam, Joseph C., 2017. "CIE Standard Sky classification by accessible climatic indices," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 347-356.
    17. Johnson, Joji & Manikandan, S., 2023. "Experimental study and model development of bifacial photovoltaic power plants for Indian climatic zones," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    18. Abotaleb, A. & Abdallah, A., 2018. "Performance of bifacial-silicon heterojunction modules under desert environment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 94-101.
    19. Jouttijärvi, Sami & Lobaccaro, Gabriele & Kamppinen, Aleksi & Miettunen, Kati, 2022. "Benefits of bifacial solar cells combined with low voltage power grids at high latitudes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    20. Diogo Cabral & Abolfazl Hayati & João Gomes & Hossein Afzali Gorouh & Pouriya Nasseriyan & Mazyar Salmanzadeh, 2023. "Experimental Electrical Assessment Evaluation of a Vertical n-PERT Half-Size Bifacial Solar Cell String Receiver on a Parabolic Trough Solar Collector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-21, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:5:p:1296-:d:1606652. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.