The double-sided solar technology is new method for measuring the solar energy produced by bifacial solar panels developed by a leading laboratory in photonics and renewable energy at the University of Ottawa.
The study from the SUNLAB team in the Faculties of Engineering and Science is published in the journal Joule. How is explained, it proposes a characterization method that will improve the measurement of bifacial panels indoors by considering external effects of ground cover such as snow, grass and soil. In that way it will be feasible to consistently test bifacial solar panel performance indoors that accurately represents how the panels will perform outdoors.
"Incorporating this new method into future bifacial standards would provide a consistent methodology for testing bifacial panel performance under ground conditions including snow, grass, and soil, corresponding to globally varying illumination conditions."
As predicted, with bifacial photovoltaics expected to provide over 16% of global energy demand by 2050, the SUNLAB's methodology will improve international device measurement standards which currently do not distinguish between ground cover.
"This will extend current International Electrochemical Commission standards for bifacial solar panel measurements, enabling accurate comparisons of bifacial panel technologies, application-specific optimization, and the standardization of bifacial panel power ratings," adds Professor Karin Hinzer, whose research group develops new ways to harness the sun's energy.