Monofacial vs Bifacial Solar Panels: What’s Right for Your Florida Property?

Blue Energy Electric
1 day ago
4 min read

Updated: 8 minutes ago

As solar energy adoption grows across Florida, one important decision homeowners and commercial property owners face is choosing between monofacial and bifacial solar panels. Each technology offers distinct advantages, and your choice can affect everything from upfront cost to long-term energy savings.

At Blue Energy Electric, we’ve installed more than 2 million watts of solar across Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin, and Indian River Counties. With a deep understanding of Florida’s unique environment and solar incentives, we help customers make informed, cost-effective energy choices. Let’s break down which type of panel is best for your property — and why.

What Are Monofacial Solar Panels?

Monofacial solar panels are the traditional and most commonly used type of solar module. These panels are designed to capture sunlight only from the front-facing side, where photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight into electricity. The back of the panel is typically covered by an opaque material.

Ideal for:

Standard residential rooftops
Budget-conscious installations
Low-clearance areas without reflective ground surfaces

Key Advantages:

Lower upfront cost
Proven durability and efficiency
Easier to install on most roof types

What Are Bifacial Solar Panels?

Bifacial solar panels generate power from both sides. The front side captures direct sunlight, while the transparent or glass back allows sunlight reflected off the ground or nearby surfaces to reach the rear PV cells. This can significantly increase overall energy output, especially in the right conditions.

Ideal for:

Ground-mounted commercial systems
White or reflective roofing
Open areas with high sun exposure and clearance

Key Advantages:

Potential energy yield boost of 5–30%
Improved performance over time
Often constructed with dual-glass for enhanced durability

Florida’s Solar Climate: Why Panel Choice Matters

Florida is uniquely positioned for solar — but it comes with challenges. High UV exposure, salty coastal air, humidity, and frequent storms all impact solar system performance and longevity.

Reflective Environments

If your home or business has a white roof, light-colored gravel, or a reflective surface, bifacial panels can harness more sunlight via the albedo effect. This makes them a strong contender for maximizing output.

Coastal Conditions

Many properties in Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin, and Indian River Counties are near the ocean, where salt and humidity can shorten the lifespan of traditional panels. Bifacial panels, which often use dual-glass construction, can offer better corrosion resistance and withstand higher wind loads — a must during hurricane season.

Rooftop or Ground Mount?

Monofacial panels typically perform well on rooftops with limited space and little reflectivity.
Bifacial panels excel in ground-mount or elevated roof setups, especially with reflective surfaces beneath them.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Monofacial vs Bifacial

Feature	Monofacial Panels	Bifacial Panels
Light capture	Front only	Front + Rear
Cost	Lower	Higher upfront
Installation	Simple	More complex (requires clearance)
Energy yield	Standard	Up to 30% higher in ideal settings
Best for	Rooftops, small budgets	Ground-mounts, reflective areas
Durability	Standard backing	Often dual-glass for ruggedness

ROI and Solar Incentives in Florida

Both panel types are eligible for Florida’s solar incentives:

Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) – Claim up to 30% of the system cost
Sales Tax Exemption – Florida waives sales tax on solar equipment
Property Tax Exemption – Solar systems won’t increase your property tax
Local Utility Programs – Some counties offer net metering or rebates

At Blue Energy Electric, we evaluate your ROI potential based on system type, local incentives, utility rate structures, and energy usage patterns.

Bifacial Isn’t Always Better

While bifacial panels are more efficient on paper, that doesn’t always mean they’re the right choice. Their benefits depend heavily on site conditions, such as:

Panel elevation and tilt
Roof or ground surface reflectivity
Potential shading (trees, nearby structures)
Installation height and spacing

We perform detailed site assessments to determine whether your home or business can take advantage of bifacial panel gains — or if a monofacial system would deliver better value.

Maintenance in Coastal Florida

Solar panel performance depends not just on the hardware, but also on upkeep. At Blue Energy Electric, we provide:

Solar panel cleaning to remove salt and debris
Maintenance and repair services
Removal and reinstallation for roof replacements or upgrades

Our team ensures your system runs efficiently in Florida’s challenging coastal climate.

Custom Solutions from a Trusted Florida Solar Provider

Every property is unique — and so is every solar solution we design. At Blue Energy Electric, we offer:

Residential and commercial solar panels
Battery backup storage systems
Custom solar installations tailored to your property’s size, budget, and energy needs

We’re a locally based, veteran-led team — founded by David Scherich and Michael Kerr — and we’re passionate about helping Florida homes and businesses become more energy-independent.

Still Unsure? Let Us Help You Decide

If you’re not sure which panel type is right for you, don’t worry — that’s what we’re here for. Our expert team can assess your roof, budget, and energy needs and provide a clear, data-driven recommendation.