The photovoltaic industry is undergoing an efficiency and reliability revolution led by double-wave bifacial solar modules (commonly known as bifacial double-glass modules). This technology is reshaping the technical route and application pattern of the global photovoltaic market by generating electricity by absorbing light energy from both sides of the components and combining it with the significant durability advantages brought by glass packaging. This article will conduct an in-depth analysis of the core characteristics, practical application value, as well as the opportunities and challenges it will face in the future of bifacial double-glass modules, revealing how they drive the photovoltaic industry towards higher efficiency, lower cost per kilowatt-hour, and broader adaptability to various scenarios.
Core Technical Features: A dual leap in efficiency and reliability
The core charm of the bifacial double-glass module lies in its breakthrough power generation capacity. Unlike traditional single-sided modules, its back can effectively capture ground reflected light (such as sand, snow, light-colored roofs or cement floors), bringing significant additional power generation. This is known in the industry as “double-sided gain”. At present, the bifacial ratio (the ratio of the power generation efficiency on the back to that on the front) of mainstream products generally reaches 85% to 90%. For example, in high-reflection environments such as deserts, the backside gain of the components can bring about a 10%-30% increase in the overall power generation. Meanwhile, this type of component performs better under low irradiation conditions (such as rainy days or early morning and late evening), with a power gain of more than 2%.
Innovation in materials and structures is the key to supporting efficient power generation. Advanced battery technologies (such as N-type TOPCon) are driving the power of components to keep rising, and mainstream products have entered the 670-720W range. To reduce front shading loss and enhance current collection efficiency, the industry has introduced maingrainless designs (such as the 20BB structure) and refined printing technologies (such as steel screen printing). At the packaging level, the double-glass structure (with glass on both the front and back) offers outstanding protection, keeping the first-year attenuation of the component within 1% and the average annual attenuation rate below 0.4%, which is far superior to traditional single-glass components. To address the challenge of the large weight of double-glass modules (especially large-sized ones), a lightweight transparent backsheet solution emerged, enabling the weight of 210-sized modules to be reduced to less than 25 kilograms, significantly alleviating installation difficulties.
Environmental adaptability is another major advantage of the double-sided double-glass module. Its robust double-glass structure endows it with excellent weather resistance, effectively resisting electropotential-induced attenuation (PID), strong ultraviolet rays, hail impact, high humidity, salt spray corrosion, and drastic temperature differences. By establishing demonstration power stations in different climate zones around the world (such as high-cold, strong wind, high-temperature and high-humidity areas), component manufacturers are constantly verifying their long-term stable operation capabilities in extreme environments.
Application Advantages: Drive the economic improvement of photovoltaic projects
The value of double-sided double-glass modules is ultimately reflected in the economic viability throughout the entire project life cycle, especially in specific application scenarios:
Large-scale ground-mounted power stations: Revenue multiplier in high-reflection areas: In desert, snowy or light-colored surface areas, backside gain can directly reduce the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of the project. For instance, in one of the largest photovoltaic projects in Latin America – the 766MW “Cerrado Solar” power station in Brazil, the deployment of bisided double-glass modules not only leads to a significant increase in power generation but is also expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 134,000 tons annually. Economic model analysis shows that in regions such as Saudi Arabia, the adoption of advanced bifacial modules can reduce the LCOE by approximately 5% compared to traditional technologies, while also saving system balance (BOS) costs.
Distributed photovoltaic power: Tapping into the potential of rooftops and special terrains: On industrial and commercial rooftops, high power density means installing larger-capacity systems within a limited area, thereby reducing the unit installation cost. Calculations show that in large-scale roof projects, the adoption of high-efficiency bifacial modules can significantly reduce the cost of engineering general contracting (EPC) and increase the net profit of the project. In addition, in complex terrain areas such as cement sites and high altitudes, the excellent mechanical load resistance and temperature difference resistance of double-glass modules make them a reliable choice. Some manufacturers have already launched customized products and installation solutions for special environments such as high altitudes.
Matching the new power market: Optimizing electricity price revenue: As the time-of-use electricity price mechanism becomes increasingly popular, the electricity price corresponding to the traditional midday peak of photovoltaic power generation may decline. Bifacial modules, with their high bifacial ratio and excellent weak light response capability, can output more electricity during the morning and evening when electricity prices are high, enabling the power generation curve to better match the peak electricity price period and thereby enhancing overall revenue.
Application Status: Global Penetration and In-depth Scene Cultivation
The application map of double-sided double-glass modules is expanding rapidly worldwide:
Regionalized large-scale application has become mainstream: In high-irradiation and high-reflection regions such as the Middle East Desert, the Gobi Desert in western China, and the Latin American Plateau, bifacial double-glass modules have become the preferred choice for the construction of new large-scale ground-mounted power stations. Meanwhile, for snowy regions such as Northern Europe, the high gain feature of the component’s back under snow reflection (up to 25%) is also fully utilized.
Customized solutions for specific scenarios are emerging: The industry is showing a trend of deep customization for specific application environments. For example, in response to the sand and dust problem of desert power stations, some components have been designed with special surface structures to reduce dust accumulation, lower the frequency of cleaning and operation and maintenance costs; In the agro-photovoltaic complementary project, the light-transmitting bisided module is used on the greenhouse roof to achieve the synergy between power generation and agricultural production. For harsh Marine or coastal environments, double-glass components with stronger corrosion resistance have been developed.
Future Outlook: Continuous Innovation and Addressing Challenges
The future development of double-sided double-glass modules is full of vitality, but it also needs to confront challenges directly:
Efficiency continues to rise: N-type technologies represented by TOPCon are currently the main force in enhancing the efficiency of bifacial modules. The more disruptive perovskite/crystalline silicon tandem cell technology has demonstrated a conversion efficiency potential of over 34% in the laboratory and is expected to become the key to the efficiency leap of the next generation of bifacial modules. Meanwhile, a bifacial ratio exceeding 90% will further enhance the power generation contribution on the reverse side.
Dynamic adjustment of the market pattern: The current market share of bifacial modules is continuously rising, but it may face structural changes in the future. As single-glass modules mature in lightweight and cost control technologies (such as LECO processes to improve water resistance and the use of more cost-effective packaging materials), their share in the distributed roof market is expected to increase. Bifacial double-glass modules will continue to consolidate their dominant position in ground-mounted power stations, especially in high-reflection scenarios.
Core challenges to be solved:
Weight and cost balance: The weight gain brought by the double-glass structure (about 30%) is the main obstacle to its large-scale application in roofs. Transparent backsheets have broad prospects as a lightweight alternative, but their long-term (over 25 years) weather resistance, UV resistance and water resistance still need to be verified by more outdoor empirical data.
System adaptability: The popularization of large-sized and high-power components requires the simultaneous upgrade of supporting equipment such as bracket systems and inverters, which increases the complexity of system design and the initial investment cost, and demands collaborative optimization throughout the industrial chain.
Post time: Jun-18-2025