Elgin Energy has unveiled the first solar installation with bifacial modules (double-sided solar panels) in the Republic of Ireland.

The new solar technology has been installed as a test site on a dairy farm in Skeoughvosteen, County Kilkenny. Bifacial modules produce electricity from both sides of the panel by harnessing energy from sunlight on the front of the panel and the reflected rays from the surface below, in this case grass.

The bifacial test site was delivered by Elgin Energy in partnership with world leading panel manufacturer, LONGi, and global inverter manufacturer, SolarEdge.The modules and associated equipment were installed by Irish renewable company Enerpower. Each panel will be monitored individually using SolarEdge's optimizers and monitoring software. The research project will examine the production profile of bifacial panels in Ireland and conduct a direct comparison of energy output from monofacial (one-sided) and bifacial panels. Based on research carried out in other markets, bifacial panels have been reported to provide an uplift of 5-10% in comparison to monofacial panels.

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Ronan Kilduff, Managing Director at Elgin Energy said: "We are very excited to launch this local research project in collaboration with LONGi and SolarEdge. This test site is the first of its kind in Ireland and will provide data that will help to inform the Irish solar industry and our development across Ireland and the UK."