Double-Sided Solar Panel Produces Substantially More Electricity

Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have developed a double-sided solar panel capable of generating electricity from both sides, including reflected sunlight hitting the back of the panel. This innovative bifacial solar cell offers a potential increase in energy yields with lower space and cost requirements compared to traditional solar panels. The panel utilizes perovskite as the semiconductor material, which has been driving solar cell advancements in recent years, achieving higher efficiency rates than purely silicon cells.

The new perovskite-based panel achieves an efficiency of about 91-93% on the back side, compared to 26% for traditional silicon-based solar cells. The research opens up new possibilities for enhancing energy harvesting capabilities beyond the theoretical limit of existing solar panels. While the production of these bifacial solar panels may initially cost more than traditional panels, their higher power production could make them more economically viable over time. The study detailing the findings was published in the journal Joule.