Double-sided solar panel breakthrough offers big boost for net-zero targets

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Scientists have figured out a new method for improving double-sided solar panels that could help make them a viable long-term renewable energy source. Benefits of the method include allowing comparisons between existing and emerging bifacial technologies, enhancing performance through specific design optimisations, and increasing solar panel deployments to non-traditional markets. “This method is of particular importance as renewable energy penetration increases towards a net-zero world, with bifacial photovoltaics projected to contribute over 16 per cent of the global energy supply by 2050, or around 30,000 TWh annually,” said Professor Karin Hinzer, founder of SUNLAB. “This will extend current International Electrochemical Commission standards for bifacial solar panel measurements, enabling accurate comparisons of bifacial panel technologies, application-specific optimisation, and the standardisation of bifacial panel power ratings.” Previous studies have also found that the implementation of double-sided solar panels could also significantly reduce the cost of electricity.