The Future of Bifacial Modules: Why Bifacial Glass to Transparent Backsheet Solutions Outshine Glass/Glass Modules

As the solar industry continues to innovate, the choice of materials for bifacial modules has become a critical factor in determining performance, durability, and overall efficiency. At Cybrid Technologies Inc., we've conducted extensive research comparing Glass/Glass modules with Glass/Transparent Backsheet modules, and the results are clear: Glass/Transparent Backsheet solutions offer significant advantages across the board.

Understanding the Options:

Currently, the PV market offers three primary types of bifacial modules:

1. 3.2mm Full-Tempered PV Glass with Transparent Backsheet
2. 2.0mm Semi-Tempered PV Glass with 2.0mm Semi-Tempered PV Glass
3. 1.6mm Semi-Tempered PV Glass with 1.6mm Semi-Tempered PV Glass

Strength and Durability:

• 3.2mm Tempered Glass: This option provides superior impact resistance, thermal stability, and durability. It's designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and maintain its structural integrity over time. 3.2mm tempered Glass also ensures that it can handle higher thermal stress, reducing the likelihood of damage.
• 2.0mm / 1.6mm Semi-Tempered Glass: While offering moderate strength, these thinner options are more prone to breakage, especially under severe conditions like hailstorms. They also have lower thermal stability and durability, making them less reliable over the long term.

Problems with Double Glass Modules:

Double Glass modules, while popular, present several challenges:

• Weight: Double glass modules are significantly heavier than single glass modules. This added weight complicates handling and installation.
• Storage/Shipping Efficiency: A container can hold 1,800 pieces of glass or 21,000 pieces of backsheets, indicating a storage/shipping efficiency advantage for backsheets.
• Compatibility Issues: Double glass modules often show poor matching with older laminators, resulting in slow lamination speeds and lower productivity.
• Lower Yield Rates: The production yield rate for double glass modules is lower than that of single glass modules.
• Supply Chain Constraints: The supply of glass raw materials is limited, and costs are rising due to national policies, further complicating production.
• Lamination Challenges: Stress concentration at the edges during lamination can lead to mechanical weaknesses. Some companies that do not use perforated tape or frames during lamination experience edge delamination.
• Transportation Risks: Double glass modules are more likely to suffer damage during transportation and installation, with no aluminium frame or grounding, making them more vulnerable to lightning strikes.

Safety and Mechanical Integrity:

• Tempered Glass: When broken, tempered glass shatters into small, relatively harmless pieces, reducing the risk of injury. It also offers better resistance to scratches, chemicals, and environmental factors, making it more durable over time.
• Semi-Tempered Glass: Semi-tempered glass breaks into larger, sharper pieces, posing a higher risk of injury. It is also less able to handle rapid temperature changes and is generally less durable than tempered glass.
• Mechanical Integrity of Double Glass Modules: These modules are prone to bending and bursting outdoors, leading to potential module damage, safety incidents, loss of productivity, and financial impacts. They also have lower longevity due to increased vulnerability to environmental stress like wind, snow load, and thermal cycling.

Performance and Efficiency:

• Hail Resistance: 3.2mm tempered glass is highly resistant to hail impact, while 2.0mm and 1.6mm semi-tempered glass are more susceptible to damage from hailstorms.
• Power Generation: Double-sided single-glass modules with transparent backsheet have an average 1.29% higher power generation than double-sided double-glass modules. Over a 30-year lifespan, this translates to an additional net profit of 183 million yuan per 1 GW.
• Module Working Temperature: G/B bifacial modules show a 1.5-2°C lower working temperature compared to G/G modules. Single-glass modules allow heat to dissipate more efficiently, while double-glass modules trap heat, increasing operating temperatures.

Transparent Backsheet Advantages:

Transparent Backsheets offer a range of benefits that make them a superior choice for modern solar installations:

• Weight Reduction: Lighter than glass, transparent backsheets make handling and transport easier, particularly in large-scale operations.
• Impact Resistance: Transparent backsheets are less prone to breakage during handling, installation, or due to environmental factors like hail.
• Design Flexibility: They offer more flexibility in design compared to rigid glass panels.
• Improved Thermal Insulation: Transparent backsheets provide better thermal insulation than glass, which can be beneficial in certain applications.
• Safety: Transparent backsheets are considered safer than glass due to their shatter-resistant properties.
• Labor Cost Savings: G/B modules can save up to 20% in labour costs and reduce the risk of module breakage during installation.
• Space Efficiency: The space usage and quantity comparison of modules show a dramatic advantage for transparent backsheets.

Empirical Data and Case Studies:

• Power Generation Gains: According to recent data, bifacial glass/transparent backsheet modules have an average 1.29% higher power generation than double-glass modules. Over a 30-year lifespan, this difference results in an additional net profit of 183 million yuan per 1 GW of installed capacity.
• Impact on Module Temperature: G/B bifacial modules show a 1.5-2°C lower working temperature compared to G/G modules. This reduced temperature improves overall module efficiency and longevity.
• Real-World Performance: For instance, 72 pieces of multi-busbar PERC bifacial double-glass modules can achieve 475W output (410W on the front plus a 15% test gain on the back). However, transparent backsheets further optimize this performance by reducing light transmittance losses and minimizing annual power generation loss.

Conclusion:

The choice between Glass/Glass and Glass/Transparent Backsheet bifacial modules is no longer just a matter of preference—it's a strategic decision that impacts performance, safety, and profitability. As the solar industry evolves, Transparent Backsheets stand out as the clear winner, offering a future-proof solution that addresses the limitations of traditional double-glass modules.

At Cybrid Technologies Inc. , we're committed to drive innovation in solar technology. Our Transparent Backsheet solutions are designed to meet the highest standards of performance and durability, ensuring that your solar installations deliver maximum efficiency and return on investment.