Bifacial Solar Module MSB100/50, MSB120/60

Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 21, 2004 at 12:04

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Member - Sparkie (QLD)

There is a company selling solar panels which for a better word are "double sided".

It seems to work on a opaque see through system where the sun lights up one side of the solar panel and than using reflection gets another shot at creating power on the other side. Apparrently it comes from russia where they use snow for reflection!

If you could put a white surface on the backside about 50 mm away from the panel a 100/50 creates 100 watts one side and 50 watt on the other side.

The webpage is www.solenergy.com.au

Now I don't know if this is known by every man and his dog but I found out about it today and was told one panel is enough to run a 40l Engel fridge and keep the battery topped up.
Please give me some feedback on this as I priced one for $790.00 for a MSB100/50. seems a good alternative to two 80 watt panels or 1x 80 and a 60 watt setup.
TIA

Sparkie(IE not Y) ;-)

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Reply By: Gerry - Tuesday, Dec 21, 2004 at 12:15

Tuesday, Dec 21, 2004 at 12:15

Origin Energy are currently setting up a production facility at Regency Park in S.A. to manufacture their 'Sliver Cell' panels which incorporates a dual-sided panel design. Details can be found at http://www.originenergy.com.au/home/subnav_section.php?pageid=1160

Cheers
Gerry

AnswerID: 89736

Follow Up By: Member - Sparkie (QLD) - Tuesday, Dec 21, 2004 at 17:07

Tuesday, Dec 21, 2004 at 17:07

Thanks Gerry, That helped explain a few more things about them.The solenergy site was a bit vague. I just wonder if it would be a good investment having one panel with 150W output versus two individual panels. It seems half the cost for twice the output. They priced BP solar cells at 80W for $800.00 EACH and this solenergy panel $790.00 with Minimum output 130W max 150W. I know I may be droning on but I cannot fault it for convenience and cost.

Sparkie(IE not Y) ;-)

FollowupID: 348565

Reply By: V8troopie - Tuesday, Dec 21, 2004 at 12:28

Tuesday, Dec 21, 2004 at 12:28

I have heard of these panels before. A couple of things bother me with this idea;
1. I have never seen an "opaque" solar cell, if the panel were to let light pass it would, IMO, have to have bigger spaces between the individual cells, defeating the idea by making the panel twice as big in the first place.
2. reflection from something (snow?) a few metres behind the panel would work but a white sheet, just 50mm behind the panel would block all light entering from behind it and let almost none past its edges. Makes no sense to me.

So, if you are planning to use the panel at a ski hut in the snowies, it might be a worthwhile experiment. Trekking round the country side, perhaps if you camp next to a dry salt lake. Otherwise, its not for me :-)

AnswerID: 89739

Follow Up By: Member - Sparkie (QLD) - Tuesday, Dec 21, 2004 at 16:59

Tuesday, Dec 21, 2004 at 16:59

But if it works as claimed would't be a good solution to carrying two panels?
Also the panel I saw at the shop was the same size as an 80 watt bp solar panel and they are extremely light in weight which I thought would help with mounting.

But maybe someone knows something about them which I hadn't thought of.

Sparkie(IE not Y) ;-)

FollowupID: 348562

Follow Up By: V8troopie - Tuesday, Dec 21, 2004 at 17:59

Tuesday, Dec 21, 2004 at 17:59

Sparkie, how about doing a test with one of these panels, like the bloke who did a solar/fridge test over the weekend?
I am curious how these panels perform if one was not paying much attention to that rear reflected light business.

What I like on a solar panel is:
Good output for its size,
A good Watt for Dollar figure
light weight, semi flexible, rugged and
thin construction.

Most panels are way too bulky & heavy for lugging around ( on a trailer sailor mostly, in my case)

So far the Unisolar panels do most of what I want though the dollar/watt figure could be better and the size/output ratio is also quite low when compared to other designs.
We'll see how the new 64W/$500.- unisolar panel performs over the holiday break :-)
Klaus

FollowupID: 348575