Effects of Building Color, Material, and Angle on Bifacial and Transparent Solar Panels

Numerous studies have explored the placement of solar panels on the facades or roofs of buildings. This study investigates a new approach to estimating energy generation from transparent, double-sided solar panels integrated into the facade of an existing building, focusing on how the façade’s color influences panel performance. The most significant advantages of integrating double-sided and transparent solar panels on the sides of a building are the natural lighting provided by the sunlight entering the building and the additional energy generated when the radiation returns to the back of the panel. The light beam strikes the front panel, allowing some radiation to pass through the transparent panel to the back side, where it hits the surface. Part of the beam is then reflected toward the rear panel. The fraction of light reflected (albedo) depends on the surface’s color. We first constructed a double-sided, transparent solar panel and integrated it with MATLAB software 2024 code. The model was verified by comparing the simulation results, specifically the I–V and P–V graphs, with data from the manufacturer’s specifications. We conducted an extensive investigation into panels installed on surfaces made of different materials during each installation. This investigation aimed to understand the behavior and performance of the panels when installed on the surfaces of various materials.