Enerpower were delighted to work with Elgin Energy to install the first bifacial module ( double-sided solar panel) test site in the Republic of Ireland.     The new solar technology has been installed on a dairy farm in Skeoughvosteen, Co. 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.

Speaking about the innovative test site, 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.”

Recently substantial progress has been made in the Irish solar industry with the first auction of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) being successfully completed in July. Provisional results show that 63 solar projects / 800 megawatts (MW) were successful, included in that were two of Elgin Energy’s projects. Installation of RESS solar projects are estimated to begin from Q4 2021 onwards.

About Elgin Energy

Elgin Energy is an international solar development platform, with over 3GW in development across the UK, Ireland, and Australia. Elgin Energy delivers utility scale solar projects (20 – 100MW) from origination through the development process to energisation.

For more information, please visit https://www.elgin-energy.com/  | LinkedIn

 About LONGi

LONGi leads the solar PV industry to new heights with product innovations and optimized power-cost ratio with breakthrough monocrystalline technologies. LONGi supplies more than 30GW of high-efficiency solar wafers and modules worldwide yearly, about a quarter of global market demand. LONGi is recognized as the world’s most valuable solar technology company with the highest market value. Innovation and sustainable development are two of LONGi’s core values. For more information, please visit https://en.longi-solar.com/ | @LONGi Solar

 About SolarEdge:

SolarEdge is a global leader in smart energy technology. By leveraging world-class engineering capabilities and with a relentless focus on innovation, SolarEdge creates smart energy solutions that power our lives and drive future progress. SolarEdge developed an intelligent inverter solution that changed the way power is harvested and managed in photovoltaic (PV) systems. The SolarEdge DC optimised inverter seeks to maximise power generation while lowering the cost of energy produced by the PV system. Continuing to advance smart energy, SolarEdge addresses a broad range of energy market segments through its PV, storage, EV charging, batteries, UPS, electric vehicle powertrains, and grid services solutions. SolarEdge is online at solaredge.com

 About Enerpower

Founded in 2005 Enerpower is a wholly owned Irish company and is now one of Ireland’s leading renewable energy companies. Enerpower creates turnkey Solar PV solutions from, design, supply, installation, to operation and management. Enerpower are delivering the largest independent Solar PV installations in Ireland in 2020 and have customers in both Northern Ireland and the UK.

For more information, please visit https://www.enerpower.ie

*Source: Elgin Energy Press Release