Did You Know?
Bifacial Solar Cells

Did you know that there are solar photovoltaic (PV) cells that can collect light from the front and rear? They are called bifacial solar cells.

A three-year study [1] conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) revealed: “up to a 9% gain in energy production using bifacial panels compared with their one-sided cousins.”

In the Philippines, the 68-MW solar power plant in Currimao, Ilocos Norte, utilizes bifacial solar cells, which will be operational in the first quarter of 2023 [2].

To know more about bifacial solar cells, here’s a list of our recommended readings:

• ​​What Are Bifacial Solar Panels? Overview, How They Work, and Outlook by David M. Kuchta

• Bifacial Solar Advances with the Times—and the Sun: Multi-Year Study Evaluates Two-Sided Tracking Systems for More Efficient Solar Power Generation by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Reference:

[1] National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), “Bifacial Solar Advances with the Times—and the Sun | News | NREL,” National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Mar. 02, 2020. https://www.nrel.gov/news/features/2020/bifacial-solar-advances-with-the-times-and-the-sun.html (accessed Mar. 10, 2023).

[2] Myrna M. Velasco, “Meralco subsidiary, Singaporean firm to set up 68MW solar project,” Manila Bulletin, Aug. 24, 2022. https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/24/meralco-subsidiary-singaporean-firm-to-set-up-68mw-solar-project/ (accessed Mar. 10, 2023).