Bifacial solar panels in 2026: overview
Bifacial solar panels generate electricity from light reaching both the front and rear of a photovoltaic module. Rear-side output depends on reflected light, module geometry, mounting height, surroundings and row spacing, so extra yield is a system-design result rather than a fixed module bonus. That makes albedo and site layout central to project economics, performance modeling and comparisons with conventional modules. The technology is established in ground-mounted solar, while vertical, rooftop and agrivoltaic layouts extend it to sites where land use or generation timing matters.
Recent research is moving from idealized yield estimates toward field validation and real operating conditions. In September 2026, the National Research And Innovation Agency and partner universities evaluated ground-surface effects under tropical conditions; in August 2026, K. N. Toosi University of Technology and the University of Rome Tor Vergata validated an installation-angle method outdoors. Other recent work tests vertical bifacial systems for agrivoltaics and urban load matching, alongside machine-learning approaches to rear irradiance and power forecasting. Dependable prediction remains a bottleneck because changing albedo, shade, weather and module temperature affect rear-side estimates, energy yield and project economics.
- 1Ground conditions matter: Surface reflectance and system geometry shape rear-side irradiance, making site-specific measurement and modeling central to estimating bifacial value.
- 2Modeling moves outdoors: Field validation and data-driven forecasting are gaining attention as researchers address the gap between simulated output and changing operating conditions.
- 3More than ground-mount: Vertical and double-layer designs extend bifacial generation toward agrivoltaics, urban infrastructure and tighter land-use constraints.
Top organizations working on bifacial solar panels
Ranked by Linknovate activity score · last 24 monthsThe activity score adds up the relevance of every patent, publication, grant and news item linking an organization to bifacial solar panels. Showing 7 of 351 organizations.
| # | Organization | Approach | Signals (24 mo) | Momentum | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
Canadian Solar Inc.
Corporate · China |
General | NEWS 175 | -35% | A solar cell and module manufacturer with a broad PV portfolio that includes bifacial modules for utility-scale and other applications. |
| 2 | 
TRINA SOLAR LTD
Corporate · China |
General | PAT 3 · PUB 1 NEWS 129 |
-42% | Recently, it patented a double-sided reflective gap film for use in bifacial photovoltaic modules, addressing light reflection within the module. |
| 3 | 
Panasonic
Corporate · Japan |
TOPCon cells | NEWS 127 | -28% | Anchor by Panasonic introduced a 585 Wp bifacial TOPCon module for ground-mounted systems, extending the solar products sold under the Panasonic brand. |
| 4 | 
First Solar
Corporate · United States |
Thin-film cells | PAT 2 · NEWS 108 | -49% | A thin-film PV manufacturer whose CdTe panels include bifacial designs; it agreed to source fluorescent quantum-dot technology from UbiQD for use in thin-film bifacial PV. |
| 5 | BS
Boviet Solar
Corporate |
General | NEWS 65 | -72% | A PV module manufacturer serving residential, commercial, and utility markets; it has announced US module production and its products include bifacial panels. |
| 6 | WE
Waaree Energies
Corporate |
TOPCon cells | PUB 1 · NEWS 67 | -46% | Supplies glass n-type TOPCon bifacial modules for solar projects and has secured module supply agreements, including a 288 MWp deal with Sabanci Renewables. |
| 7 | 
Jinko Solar Co.
Corporate |
TOPCon cells | PUB 1 · NEWS 78 | -51% | A major solar module manufacturer with bifacial TOPCon products; the cited items place its modules in the European market, though they focus on pricing rather than technical developments. |
| 8 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 9 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 10 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
Startups to watch and leading research centers
Startups to watch 3 total
CDERUnited StatesRecently, it contributed research comparing a measured 2.25 kWp fixed-mounted micromorph PV system with simulations to assess bifacial PV and tracking performance in arid environments.
Leading research institutions 285 total
National Renewable Energy LaboratoryUnited StatesResearches bifacial module performance and degradation, including how polarization-type potential-induced degradation affects indoor and outdoor behavior.
University of CataniaItalyResearches vertical and floating bifacial PV, including power and mismatch-loss modeling and experimental comparisons of floating configurations.
Chinese Academy of Sciences CASChinaRecently, researchers assessed urban vertical bifacial PV and reported a long-term field evaluation of bifacial system yield, gain, and degradation in a tropical setting.- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
Where bifacial solar panels innovation happens
Share of documents with at least one organization from each country.
Open the interactive map with all 351 organizationsMain technical approaches
Last 24 months| Approach | What it is | Documents | Leading organizations |
|---|---|---|---|
| PERC cells | PERC cells use a passivated rear surface to improve light capture, but rear-side electrical design can limit bifacial performance. | 357 |
PERC, HJT, Tech Power |
| TOPCon cells | TOPCon adds a passivated contact to crystalline silicon for efficient bifacial designs, with added process complexity as a trade-off. | 657 |
Tech Power, PERC, HJT |
| Heterojunction cells | Heterojunction cells combine crystalline silicon with thin amorphous-silicon layers, supporting strong bifacial response but requiring more complex manufacturing. | 301 |
HJT, TRINA SOLAR LTD, Canadian Solar Inc. |
| Thin-film cells | Thin-film cells use light-absorbing semiconductor layers that can enable lightweight designs, while rear-side output depends strongly on module architecture. | 362 |
First Solar, Canadian Solar Inc., Panasonic |
| Transparent module designs | Transparent designs let light reach the rear of the module, but balancing light transmission with durability and electrical performance is difficult. | 244 |
TRINA SOLAR LTD, HJT, Canadian Solar Inc. |
Emerging trends
Last 12 months vs previous 36 monthsTerms whose frequency in the last 12 months grew the most compared with the previous 36 months.
Funding and investment
Recent funding rounds
Grant funding associated with the field totals $52,487,437 across 22 grants since 2020. This grant figure does not capture the full extent of commercial investment.
Patent landscape
Top patent holders · last 24 monthsRecent developments
Latest news, duplicates removed- Oct 2026PV module prices in Europe have dropped across all technologies in September 2026, between 1.1% and 3.6%. According to the latest PV Index report from online solar marketplace sun.store, TOPCon bifacial modules remain…PV Tech
- Aug 2026Shenzhen, Guangdong Aug 30, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - Shenzhen Sungreat Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a global innovator and leader in solar energy solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its newest breakthrough…IssueWire | Press Release Distribution - Manufacturing
- Aug 2026Australia is one of the world’s sunniest countries, making solar energy an increasingly attractive investment. According to the Clean Energy Council, more than four million Australian homes and businesses now use…Renewable Energy News – Wind, Solar And More – Energy Matters
- Jul 2026Most solar panels only capture sunlight on one side. Bifacial panels capture it on both, and that single design change is becoming one of the bigger shifts in the solar market right now. Here’s what they actually are…Innovation on Medium
- Month 20XXHidden developmentAvailable to registered users with alerts enabled.
Frequently asked questions about bifacial solar panels
What companies are working on bifacial solar panels?
Canadian Solar Inc., TRINA SOLAR LTD, Panasonic and First Solar are among the named companies working on bifacial modules. Their activity spans utility-scale modules, TOPCon products, thin-film designs and module components. Waaree Energies and Boviet Solar are also associated with bifacial module supply, illustrating the mix of established manufacturers and suppliers in the field.
Which bifacial solar panels startups are the most promising in 2026?
FACTS identifies 3 startups, with CDER the clearest named research-led example rather than a commercial module startup. CDER contributed research comparing a measured micromorph PV system with simulations of bifacial PV and tracking in arid environments. The available information does not support ranking startups by commercial promise or product readiness.
Which universities and research centers lead bifacial solar panels research?
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, University of Catania and Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS are prominent named research organizations in the field. Their work includes module performance and degradation, vertical and floating PV, and field evaluation of system yield. Recent publications also involve universities studying ground reflectance, installation angles, shading and forecasting.
How much funding has bifacial solar panels received?
FACTS reports $52,487,437 across 22 grants since 2020. This is the available grant total associated with the field, not a complete measure of investment in companies, manufacturing or project development. The funding information does not identify a single public program as the source of all grants.
Who holds the most bifacial solar panels patents?
Zhuhai Fushan Aiko Solar Energy Technology Co. has 12 listed patent records, the highest count among the patent holders shown. Zhejiang Aiko Solar Energy Technology Co. follows with 9, while several other Aiko-affiliated entities also appear among the listed holders. These are organization-level counts as reported in FACTS.
Is bifacial solar panels patent activity growing?
FACTS reports 164 patents in the 24-month window and a patent growth rate of -11.5%. By contrast, publications reached 383 in the last year, with publication growth of 13.0%. This points to a recent shift in measured activity toward research publications, while patent filings declined over the comparison period.
What are the latest developments in bifacial solar panels?
Recent work includes the Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS rooftop bifacial and cool-roof assessment in October 2026, and an outdoor installation-angle validation by K. N. Toosi University of Technology and the University of Rome Tor Vergata in August 2026. Other studies examine ground reflectance, vertical agrivoltaics, shading effects and machine-learning forecasts of rear-side irradiance.
What are the main approaches in bifacial solar panels and how do they differ?
The main approaches include PERC cells, TOPCon cells, heterojunction cells, thin-film cells and transparent module designs. They differ in cell structure, manufacturing requirements and how they balance front-side performance with rear-side light capture. Module design and installation conditions also affect actual bifacial output, so cell architecture alone does not determine system yield.
Which countries lead bifacial solar panels?
The United States leads the country breakdown with 4,333 documents, followed by China with 2,154 and Germany with 1,508. Japan and the United Kingdom are also among the countries with substantial activity. These figures describe document activity, not a direct ranking of manufacturing capacity or installed bifacial systems.
What are the applications of bifacial solar panels?
FACTS identifies utility-scale solar, agrivoltaics, rooftop and commercial systems, vertical and infrastructure systems, and off-grid and portable power as applications. Recent research also examines urban installations, photovoltaic noise barriers and dual-land-use designs. The potential value varies by site because rear-side output depends on layout, reflected light and surrounding conditions.