What Are Bifacial Solar Panels? Benefits, Costs & Efficiency Explained

Introduction

India’s rooftops are filling up with photovoltaic (PV) modules, but one technology is now grabbing the spotlight: bifacial solar panels. By harvesting sunlight on both the front and rear surfaces, these next-gen modules squeeze more watts from every square metre—perfect for the high-irradiance, dust-prone, space-constrained urban settings found from Mumbai to Guwahati. This article walks you through everything you need to know, from the science and savings to installation tips and policy incentives, so you can decide whether bifacial is a brilliant fit for your home.

1. Understanding the Technology

Bifacial modules use transparent backsheets or dual tempered-glass layers so that light reflected from the roof, ground or nearby walls can strike the back side of the cells. A high-albedo surface (white paint, light-coloured tiles, gravel, or even a reflective membrane) can lift rear-side gains by 5–30 %.

How does it work?

The result is a typical energy-yield bump of 8–20 % in fixed-tilt rooftop arrays and up to 30 % on single-axis trackers in open ground-mount systems.

Key takeaways

• Higher efficiency: Modern bifacial modules routinely hit 21–23 % front-side efficiency, with effective system-level gains pushing real-world output well beyond 25 %.

• Lower levelised cost of electricity (LCOE): Because you harvest more kilowatt-hours over the module’s 25- to 30-year lifespan, each unit of energy costs less in rupees.

• Durability: Dual-glass designs improve mechanical strength and reduce micro-cracking, translating into slower degradation rates (≤0.45 % / year).

• Aesthetic flexibility: Frameless dual-glass units can be semi-transparent, making them suitable for pergolas, carports, and building-integrated PV.

3. Bifacial vs. Monofacial: A Quick Comparison

*Balance of System
**Assuming 4 kW rooftop, 80 % export via net metering, average tariff ₹ 8.3 / kWh.

4. Real-World Performance Under Indian Conditions

Field data from Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Chennai shows bifacial modules outperforming mono-PERC by 10–15 % in winter (when the sun is lower) and by 6–10 % in peak-summer noon hours, thanks to higher diffuse radiation and ground reflections from whitewashed roofs. Coastal humidity has negligible impact as long as junction boxes are sealed to IP68.

5. 2025 Cost Breakdown & ROI

A 5 kW bifacial system in 2025 typically lands between ₹ 2.6 lakh and ₹ 3.4 lakh all-in, versus ₹ 2.4–₹ 3.1 lakh for high-efficiency mono-facial. That ₹ 15–₹ 20 k premium is recouped in ~18 months through higher generation.

6. Installation Best Practices

1. Raise the array at least 30 cm above the roof to minimise shading and allow rear ventilation.

2. Improve albedo: Paint the roof terrace white or lay light-coloured gravel. A 0.6-albedo surface can boost gains by 5 %.

3. Optimise tilt for your latitude + 10 ° to favour winter production when rear-side contribution peaks.

4. Use transparent backsheets or glass-glass; avoid opaque polymer backsheets marketed as “bifacial” yet blocking IR.

5. String smart: Match bifacial modules in series to the exact same orientation; mixing tilt angles reduces MPPT accuracy.

7. Subsidies, Net Metering & Policy Support

The Government of India’s 2024–27 PM-Surya Ghar scheme offers a direct subsidy of ₹ 14,588 per kW up to 3 kW and ₹ 7,291 per kW for the next 7 kW of residential capacity, regardless of panel type. Many DISCOMs now issue gross-metering tariffs for installations above 10 kW, but rooftop homeowners generally prefer net metering, which credits surplus exports at the retail rate, shrinking payback to under four years in states such as Gujarat and Maharashtra.

8. Choosing the Right Bifacial Panel

When comparing specs, focus on bifacial “gain” (%) listed in the datasheet (typically 10 ± 3 %). Higher gain means greater rear-side sensitivity but may require more reflective ground treatment to hit advertised output.

9. Maintenance & Longevity

Bifacial arrays call for the same cleaning schedule as conventional modules—twice a month in urban dust belts, weekly in arid zones. Because the back glass is exposed, always use a soft squeegee, avoid high-pressure jets, and inspect junction boxes annually for UV cracks. Expect linear output warranties guaranteeing 86–88 % of nameplate power after 30 years, slightly better than the 80–82 % typical a decade ago.

10. Future Outlook

Analysts predict over 12 GW of bifacial capacity will be installed in India by 2027, driven by:

• N-type TOPCon and heterojunction (HJT) cell efficiencies marching past 25 %.

• Tightening land-use norms around megawatt-scale projects, rewarding higher-yield modules.

• Falling glass-glass lamination costs that narrow today’s ₹ 2 / W price gap with mono PERC to well under ₹ 1 / W by 2026. 

For homeowners, that means an era where bifacial might become the default choice, not a premium upgrade.

Conclusion

Bifacial solar panels take India’s abundant sunshine and turn even its reflected, diffused leftovers into extra electricity—delivering double-digit generation gains for a modest upfront premium and slashing payback times. By coupling thoughtful installation (higher tilt, reflective roof coating) with evolving subsidies, you can future-proof your rooftop investment and enjoy three decades of cleaner, cheaper power. If you’re planning a new array or expanding an existing one, it’s worth giving bifacial serious consideration—and maybe even a patch of fresh white paint.