Deerfield Solar Tour Site 3: Deerfield Police Department
Installed Fall 2021 – 15 kW
Array powers the Police Department
Installer: All Sky Energy
You might notice that the array on the right looks different than the array on the left. In fact, it’s surprising how noticeable it is that the rows are different. This is purposeful.
On the right there are three rows. The first 7 panels on the top row are monofacial panels. That means that it only produces power from the front of the solar panel. The rest of the panels on that row and the entire middle row (as well as the full array to the left) are 370W bifacial panels. They produce power from both the front and the back.
The bottom row are 12 bifacial 445w solar panels with black frames. The array is mounted about 5 inches off the roof on top of light colored shingles.
This is an experiment to evaluate the differences in production between monofacial and bifacial panels in the same setting, as well as the efficacy of black frames in facilitating snow melt.
This image was taken about 2 days after a snow storm. As you can see, the snow has slid down off the top row of solar panels, but has yet to clear the bottom two rows on the right array. The top row is now producing power. The middle and bottom row are producing slight amounts of power, from the back, but are not producing from the front due to snow cover.
We encourage a design with the panels installed in portrait (long side up and down) to facilitate the snow sliding off. In this instance the snow slid down but then piled up at the bottom of the array, preventing the snow from sliding off completely.
Please note that your installer will take into account that there are periods of time where your solar array may not produce much power due to overcast or stormy days. Bifacial panels are more productive during those times than monofacial panels.
Tour Information
In-person tour: This ASES Solar Tour is always the first full weekend in October. Other events may also include a tour.
Self-directed tour: Any time. Pick up map at Couillard Solar Foundation offices (Mon-Fri) or download below.