Bifacial panel field testing?

[inetdog]

Well, a large part of the effectiveness of the back side of the panel depends on there being enough empty space between the panel and the high albedo background to let light in to background plane. Do the tests list the spacing between panel and background?

[DanKegel]

Well, a large part of the effectiveness of the back side of the panel depends on there being enough empty space between the panel and the high albedo background to let light in to background plane. Do the tests list the spacing between panel and background?

http://panasonic.net/ecosolutions/solar/hit/ specifies a height, and even shows a picture of the mounted panels.

[adoublee]

adoublee said his Panasonic/Sanyo panels were mounted over a white TPO roof, and got surprisingly close to the sales claim.

Our installation is probably near ideal for bifacial. The panels are mounted at 30deg on a near-flat roof - not that common due to the added structure or weight to ballast. The bottom of the panels are probably 12" off the roof. Row to row spacing is generous.

I've never considered wanting to use bifacial mounted parallel to a roof plane, other than the benefit of glass on glass construction. I would think it would cut out most of the gains of rear ambient light. I've heard post mounted with a tracker in snowy regions do well.

[DanKegel]

Right- I'm only mounting two flush because the minimum purchase was 4; I don't expect any back boost from them.

The flush mounted ones will at least show how well the front works as a normal panel.