What is Bifacial Solar Panel?
A solar panel that generates electricity from sunlight hitting both its front and back sides.
Quick Answer
Bifacial panels are becoming more common in UK solar farms and commercial installations where ground-mounted systems benefit from grass or gravel reflectivity. For residential rooftop systems in the UK, the bifacial gain is typically modest (5–10%) as panels are mounted close to the roof surface with limited rear exposure.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Bifacial Solar Panel Explained
A bifacial solar panel has photovoltaic cells on both sides, allowing it to capture direct sunlight on the front and reflected light (albedo) on the rear. The back side can generate an additional 5–30% energy depending on the mounting surface, tilt angle, and ground reflectivity. Bifacial panels use a transparent backsheet or glass-glass construction instead of the opaque white backsheet found on standard (monofacial) panels. They perform best when elevated above light-coloured surfaces that reflect sunlight onto the rear side.
How Does Bifacial Solar Panel Work in the UK?
Bifacial panels are becoming more common in UK solar farms and commercial installations where ground-mounted systems benefit from grass or gravel reflectivity. For residential rooftop systems in the UK, the bifacial gain is typically modest (5–10%) as panels are mounted close to the roof surface with limited rear exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bifacial panels worth it for UK homes?
For rooftop systems, bifacial panels offer limited benefit as they sit close to the roof. They are better suited to ground-mounted or flat-roof installations where light can reach the back of the panel.
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John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He fact-checks all content against official MCS and Ofgem data and maintains relationships with MCS-certified installers across the UK.