Creeping invasion of LG bifacial panels - is it happening? What does it mean?

[Drashya]

I am curious as to what is the best surface to reflect the light back into the bifacial pv cells. Is just a white surface (like snow) better then a reflective (like stainless steel) or even a mirrored surface?

I would expect the cells respond to some light spectrum's better than others but a white surface would reflect just about all of the spectrum.

Although the research on bifacials does focus on the range of backgrounds that are good/bad for the rear boost, everyone tries working on and testing the 'naturally occuring' ground material such as sand, snow (or white membranes to simulate snow), gravel, or cheap waste products as scallop shells (in Japan). The reason for this is, using specialized back surfaces for the ground will have a major impact on the already higher LCOE of a bifacial project and hence, nobody wants to use custom made surfaces, unless they can use something that is dirt cheap.

As for the mirrored surfaces, I think that would not be such a good idea. It will raise the NOCT of the cells, and the overall outcome might end up falling than rising.

[SunEagle]

Although the research on bifacials does focus on the range of backgrounds that are good/bad for the rear boost, everyone tries working on and testing the 'naturally occuring' ground material such as sand, snow (or white membranes to simulate snow), gravel, or cheap waste products as scallop shells (in Japan). The reason for this is, using specialized back surfaces for the ground will have a major impact on the already higher LCOE of a bifacial project and hence, nobody wants to use custom made surfaces, unless they can use something that is dirt cheap.

As for the mirrored surfaces, I think that would not be such a good idea. It will raise the NOCT of the cells, and the overall outcome might end up falling than rising.

Thanks for the input. I also was worried about the amount of heat that could be put back into the cells that would reduce the output. So I figured any IR side radiation is not wanted.

I just wasn't sure if the pv cell material is designed around a specific light spectrum for optimal efficiency or if it works just on the volume or the amount of light that can be harvested back into the cells.

[DanKegel]

I am not sure if flush-mounting the bifacial panels will give you any benefit.

It won't! The flush-mounted ones are there just to compare their front-surface output.

Did you notice the two reverse-tilt mounted ones? I expect a small boost from them,
as they are exposed to reflected light from the roof that slopes away from them
and from the neighbor's house.

[Naptown]

Some use a combination of thin film and hard cells
Each works off a different spectrum of light.