Vertical Bifacial Solar Panel Performance Results Part 1
Why Hacker News recommends it
HN points to it as real-world, side-by-side data on vertical versus angled panel orientation.
What it is
A hobbyist compares vertical bifacial solar panels against south-facing angled panels using winter production results. It tests whether the usual mounting approach is actually best.
Recommended by 3 HN commenters across 3 different months, 2024 to 2025.
What Hacker News said
Recommends stephen_g · 2024-03 · on “Controlling 3.6kW of Solar EV Charging with an Arduino GIGA R1 WiFi”
You'll still get more output for the same amount of panels when they're tilted in most places. This guy did some interesting real-world testing in a bunch of different circumstances - [this video]
Recommends mey · 2024-04 · on “Swiss satellite antennas make a comeback as solar powerhouses”
[this video] this person did a side by side experiment on their property with both angled and vertical bifacial with some interesting results. Their advantage didn't seem to be efficiency but consistency.
Recommends xnx · 2024-11 · on “100-MW solar farm just broke ground in Wisconsin”
There seems to be a real interesting mix of pros and cons (total watts generated through the year, by time of day, susceptibility to dirt and hail damage, reflections, etc.), especially with regards to mounting. This guy goes into a lot of detail: [this video]
Cites pests · 2024-08 · on “Can solar costs keep shrinking?”
There is research coming out that vertical solar panels are more efficient. I think part of it comes from lower temps allowing for more efficient operating. No tracking or pointing required. Less cleaning as its not a flat surface for dust or fall impacts. [this video] edit: I see others have linked similar videos, all good sources on this topic.
Cites thijson · 2025-04 · on “Offgrid Electric Car”
This guy compared different orientations: [this video] His conclusion is the vertical generate about 70% of optimal incline cells. The charge profile has two peaks, one in the morning, one in the evening. I can imagine using the vertical orientation for a fence. It would definitely keep them cleaner too.