Winter is the toughest season for PV plants in the Nordic countries. It isn’t the cold weather that causes challenges, as panels can be more efficient when temperatures are low, like any other electrical component. It is the large amount of snow that is our worst enemy during this season.

At our Ingerslev Å solar park, we are maximizing energy production even during the snowy, dark winter months. How? By using bifacial solar panels, which capture sunlight from both sides—one of the many advantages of this technology.

If heavy snow completely blocks the panel, then there is no electricity production until the snow melts away. If there is only a thin layer of snow, it will still produce electricity although at a lower power. However, by using Bifacial solar panels in our parks, the back of the panels can absorb the light reflected by the snow on the ground. The sun’s rays do not need to hit the panels directly, as it is the sunlight we need to be able to produce solar energy!

At Ingerslev Å we should still be able to produce electricity during snowy days, as the snow does not cover the back of the panels! Additionally, the fallen snow might reflect more sunlight – and having the irradiance “hit” the modules from the back, initiating production, could possibly be enough to heat them and melt the snow on the top of the panels!”