Israeli inventors create double-sided solar panels

4th Jul 2012

We have another solar power technology development to report on today – this time in the form of double-sided solar panels.

Researchers in Israel have recognised that panels directly applied to a structure are not reaching their full potential, so they decided to experiment with making them double-facing.

The team from bSolar, an Israeli start-up company, have called their creations bifacial solar cells – although their concept is not entirely new, it has taken a while for the cost of mass producing the technology to come down.

Just how much better are these solar panels than traditional models?

Well the team at bSolar estimate that they improve energy generation by between ten and 30 per cent on inclined installations, including rooftops and in open fields.

As for vertical installations, such as facades, the amount of power generated may be boosted by as much as 50 per cent – pretty impressive figures!

A challenge that lays ahead for the company is making the solar panels more commercially viable, as although costs have come down, there is still potential for them to be reduced further.

Yossi Kofman, co-founder and chief executive officer of bSolar, said: "Everyone is looking for high-power and differentiated products, and that’s what we are providing."

Posted by Mike Peacock

 

All solar power news categories

Government Rebate & Regulations
Solar Power & Technology


More Solar Power & Technology

Australia to be a part of huge Asian renewable energy growth
SunPower steps up to make solar more affordable
Canberra makes strides toward carbon neutrality
GTM puts solar's massive growth in perspective
Examining Australia's falling solar PV rooftop prices
Australia's shift toward renewable energy picks up the pace
Australia shines at solar decathlon
University of Queensland tapped as lead researcher on massive solar project
100 per cent renewable energy is possible in 10 years, environmental group says
Climate Commission releases report on solar progress
Aussie government actually shows spine for solar power
Be gone, skeptics: One million solar installations and counting
Australia embarks on its greatest solar journey ever
Australia looks to solar thermal for commercial success
Solar power helps King Island reach 100% sustainability
Australians 'heavy supporters of solar power'
Mildura solar plant officially unveiled
Solar power trumps other renewables in Australian minds
Sunshine Coast solar farm "fantastic initiative"
Sunshine Coast cashes in on namesake with solar plans
Energy storage 'could maximise solar power utility'
Solar powered family car - a world first?
Code of conduct for solar installers in the works
'Stop punishing households' for solar PV
Australian solar companies 'adjusting well'
Australian mining 'next solar frontier'
"Rooftop revolution" underway across Australia
Global PV market emerging from sluggish period
Royalla solar farm receives final approval
Leadership challenge a "debacle" for Australian solar power
Solar power giving global renewables a helping hand
Australia's largest CPV solar power plant up and running
Renewable energy misinformation "staggering"
CEC: Don't underestimate consumer desire for solar
Setting energy efficient examples on TV
Solar PV brightening up household bills
World's largest solar powered boat on the move
Climate change is heating up
The global solar power shift
New solar tech win for NSW
Industry orgs praise City of Sydney solar efforts
Clean Energy Council supports Regional Renewables scheme
Asian nations emerging as PV leaders
Solar PV demand continues to grow
Regional areas of Australia to receive more renewables
Australia's significant renewable energy growth
Solar panel reprieve for Queensland
New funding for solar research
Find love with sustainable speed dating
New Victorian solar power deal
 To get your quotes, please enter your postcode: