Bifacial Panels Generate 20% More Power in Snowy Conditions, Canadian Research Confirms

A year-long study conducted in the Canadian climate confirmed what northern solar installers have observed for years: bifacial solar panels generate approximately 20% more electricity than standard monofacial panels during winter conditions. The advantage comes from snow’s albedo effect — fresh snow reflects 80-90% of incident sunlight back upward, and bifacial panels capture that reflected light through their transparent back surface. For Canadian homeowners weighing bifacial solar panels for snow and winter performance, the research makes the case clear.

How Bifacial Panels Work in Snow

Standard (monofacial) solar panels have an opaque backsheet. They only capture light hitting the front surface. In winter, sunlight reflecting off snow-covered ground bounces away unused.

Bifacial panels replace the opaque backsheet with a transparent one, exposing solar cells on both sides. The front captures direct and diffuse sunlight normally. The rear captures light reflected upward from the ground — including the high-albedo reflection from snow.

Albedo values by surface:

Surface	Albedo (% reflected)
Fresh snow	80-90%
Aged snow	60-70%
Light-coloured gravel	20-30%
Green grass	20-25%
Dark asphalt	5-10%
Dark soil	10-15%

The difference is dramatic. Over fresh snow, the ground reflects 4-9x more light than over grass. Bifacial panels convert that reflected energy into electricity that monofacial panels simply miss.

The Canadian Research

Research published in EPJ Photovoltaics from a year-long experimental study in the Canadian climate found bifacial systems exhibited a bifacial gain of approximately 20% during winter conditions. The study measured real-world production data across all four seasons, comparing bifacial and monofacial panels side-by-side.

A separate study from Western University in Ontario found that using bifacial modules instead of monofacial can reduce annual snow losses from double digits to just 2%. The research showed bifacial panels recover more quickly from snowfall events and resume normal operation faster than monofacial equivalents.

Why faster snow clearance? Bifacial panels absorb light from both sides, generating more heat across the entire panel surface. This accelerated heating helps melt snow contact points faster, causing snow to slide off sooner. A monofacial panel relies on front-surface heating alone, which is weaker when the front is partially covered.

Practical Implications for Canadian Installations

Ground-mount systems benefit most. With snow-covered ground directly below the panels, ground-mount bifacial systems capture maximum reflected light. The optimal mounting height for bifacial panels over snow is 1-2 metres — enough clearance for reflected light to reach the rear surface evenly.

Rooftop installations benefit too, but less. On a roof, the surface behind the panels is dark shingles, not snow. However, bifacial rooftop panels still capture reflected light from snow-covered ground around the house, nearby white surfaces, and ambient diffuse light. Rooftop bifacial gain in winter is typically 8-12% rather than the 20% seen in ground-mount configurations.

Vertical installations are emerging. MDPI research shows vertically mounted bifacial panels — facing east-west rather than south — can perform surprisingly well in snowy environments. The vertical orientation naturally sheds snow (it slides off immediately) and captures morning and evening light from both faces. This is gaining interest for agricultural fencing and noise barriers along highways.

Should You Specify Bifacial Panels?

If you’re installing a ground-mount system in Canada: Absolutely. The 20% winter boost is free energy with minimal cost premium. Bifacial panels cost roughly 5-10% more than equivalent monofacial models.

If you’re installing on a rooftop: The benefit is smaller (8-12%) but still worth it if the cost premium is modest. Ask your installer to quote both options and compare the $/kWh over the system’s lifetime.

If you’re in a snowy province (Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic): Bifacial should be your default. The colder and snowier your location, the larger the bifacial advantage.

If you’re on the BC coast or in a low-snow area: The advantage shrinks to 5-8%. Standard monofacial panels may offer better value.