Opsun, a double-sided solar shelf company, today launched a free online tool that provides a realistic estimate of the output of double-sided solar panels on flat roofs-Opsunizer.

"Double-sided solar panels have been around for some time, but solar developers and investors have been having trouble understanding the added value. Opsunizer is a simple estimation tool that can quickly generate side-by-side comparisons between single-sided and double-sided systems. This should help developers understand whether and when it is worthwhile to use double-sided solar panels on flat roofs," said Taylor Stewart of Noir3 Energy, a Texas business consulting agency.

In order to accurately assess the value of double-sided solar panels on flat commercial roofs, project developers must solve a triple equation: Estimate the additional revenue generated by double-sided solar panels and the tilt angle, quantity and layout of the panels and financials. The revenue (in USD/Watt) for each option of project cost.

Historically, the use of financing software such as PVSyst can compare different tilt angles and layout scenarios with their own power generation and cost, but this is a long and tedious process at best. Opsunizer provides fast and fully integrated solutions to all the above challenges. With years of testing and monitoring of commercial double-sided solar projects, Opsun has developed a tool that unlocks the knowledge needed to understand the additional value of double-sided solar panels when installed on Opsun’s double-sided optimized solar panel rack SunRail SR3 .

By cooperating with research centers such as Sandia National Laboratory, and by reviewing peer-reviewed papers and documents from manufacturers of double-sided solar panels, Opsun has developed a software that can make a feasible estimate of annual double-sided revenue. Therefore, Opsunizer allows to create different tilt angles and design schemes for the same roof and compare them side by side in a few minutes. Compared with a single-sided equivalent design, the software will automatically generate an estimate of the layout, additional energy output of the double-sided solar panel, and an estimate of financial return.

"Finally, people can use double-sided. It is a tool for solar project creators to design the best and highest performance solar systems," said Sébastien Rivard, Opsun Sales Director. "When combined with Opsun's state-of-the-art racks, Opsunizer will democratize the use of bifacial solar energy and further contribute to the modern green energy grid."

Kelly Pickerel has more than ten years of reporting experience in the US solar industry and is currently the editor-in-chief of Solar Power World.

Hi Solarman, suppose the double-sided solar panel is 10-18 inches (not feet!) away from the roof membrane. It is easy to use Opsun shelves, but not all manufacturers allow it. In addition, you need a shelf system without a wind deflector, because adding a wind deflector will block all light. What we did in the model was to reduce the albedo (reducing the albedo) over the years. The reflectivity of the new film may be 80%, but the dirty reflectivity is only 60%, which is enough to get the return of using double-sided solar panels. There is a good white paper on the subject there! I wish you a happy day!

The transaction here assumes that bifacial solar photovoltaic will be installed about eight to ten feet above the ground. If double-sided is placed on the roof of their home or business, can the roof be cleaned thoroughly and a thick layer of white roof sealant can be used to generate some backside power generation every day?

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