Bifacial solar panels, an innovation that once struggled to gain traction, are now poised to transform the solar energy industry. Thanks to recent advancements in heterojunction technology (HJT), these two-sided panels are being heralded as a breakthrough in the quest for more efficient renewable energy. The Rise of Bifacial Panels Traditional solar panels have been the mainstay of renewable energy, converting sunlight into electricity with increasing efficiency over the years. However, these panels capture light on only one side, which limits their overall energy output. Bifacial solar panels, on the other hand, are designed to absorb light from both the front and back, potentially doubling the amount of energy they can generate. This innovative design makes use of light reflected from surfaces like snow, sand, or even the white roofs of buildings, providing an extra boost in power production. Despite their potential, bifacial panels were initially hindered by high production and installation costs, which kept them out of reach for many consumers. A Technology Reborn The revival of bifacial panels can be credited to advancements in heterojunction technology. Pioneered in the 1980s by Sanyo, this technology combines two types of silicon—crystalline and amorphous—to create a more efficient solar cell. Crystalline silicon captures low-energy photons, while amorphous silicon captures high-energy photons, resulting in greater overall efficiency. Recent developments have pushed these efficiencies even further. Italian energy company 3Sun EGP demonstrated in 2020 that their bifacial HJT modules could exceed 24.5% efficiency. Since then, manufacturers like China’s Maysun have introduced panels that achieve over 25% efficiency, thanks to larger cells and tougher glass. Applications and Advantages The new generation of bifacial panels is particularly suited to environments with high reflectivity, such as snowy regions or deserts. In these settings, the panels can capture additional light from the ground, significantly increasing their energy output. Even in urban areas, bifacial panels installed on rooftops can harness reflected light from surrounding surfaces, making them a versatile solution for various locations. Agriculture is another promising field for bifacial panels. By installing them above crops, farmers can generate electricity while still allowing sunlight to reach their plants. This dual-purpose approach not only improves land use but also provides a sustainable energy source for rural communities. Challenges and Future Prospects Despite their advantages, bifacial panels still face challenges, primarily due to their higher costs. The most efficient versions, which use glass on both sides, are also the heaviest and most expensive. However, as production scales up and technology advances, costs are expected to decrease, making bifacial panels more accessible. In addition, the integration of smart algorithms is helping to optimize the performance of these panels. Companies like Soltec are developing software that calculates the ideal angle for panels based on real-time light data, maximizing energy capture and ensuring efficient operation. Bifacial solar panels, once an overlooked technology, are now on the cusp of widespread adoption. With their ability to generate more energy and their suitability for various environments, these panels represent a significant step forward in the global shift towards renewable energy. As the industry continues to innovate and drive down costs, bifacial panels could soon become a common sight in solar installations around the world Caption. Traditional solar panels have been the mainstay of renewable energy, converting sunlight into electricity with increasing efficiency over the years.

Which is the right lighting for your room? Choosing the right lighting improves and promotes productivity, makes you comfortable and at peace. Everyone has a craving to relax and to be comfortable in their own space, which is why you need to invest in proper lighting, it creates a bond between people, and brings happiness as it enhances closeness among people. Think about having the right light in your bedroom, sitting room, kitchen, study. Good moods will be enhanced. Light fixtures can end up being the focus point in a room. How one physically feels in a room greatly depends in lighting. Minimal, quality light is recommended. Too much light can be dangerous. Both natural and artificial light should be taken into consideration when designing your space. Matching light levels to the work being done is important, you need the right quality and right amount of light. You need a brightly lit cooking space- kitchen and not so bright light for reading, a lamp would be good. Lighting is so powerful and can be used to manipulate space and hence affect the feeling in the space. It also affects how we interpret textures and colours, but only if it is done properly.      

Biogas continues to be mentioned as a cost effective, clean, green energy that is a most preferred alternative to turn to as a result of the increase in price of fuel leading to exaggerated cost of cooking gas and Liquified Petroleum Gas. (LPG). It is however limited since not everyone can benefit from it as the gas majorly depends on regular distribution of waste products from domestic animals like cow dung, pig droppings. This makes zero-grazing, dairy and pig farmers to fully and easily benefit from the option as they get the raw materials free of charge. The readily available clean, green energy is only costly at the initial stages of installation of bio-digester receptacles up to the houses which is a one-time procedure and cannot be compared to the cost of petroleum gas or cooking gas. The bio-digester is the receptacle that stores the methane gas produced from animals’ wastes. Biogas is eco-friendly, reduces soil and water pollution, it involves the use of few technological advances, hence not complicated to use. Improper installation of the bio-digester receptacle can however lead to blowing up with severe damages which can be prevented and cannot be compared to its cost effectiveness. Since farming is wide spread across the world, methane use from farming activities is highly encouraged to help solve the problem of green waste in markets. The effluent from bio- digesters can still be used as manure hence nothing goes to waste, the soil also benefits and gains fertility. There are companies in Kenya that deal with installation of bio-digester receptacles hence this is not a new concept in Kenya. Citizens and institutions are however urged to use biogas for clean energy and even if they do not have free access to the animals’ wastes, they can get them from nearby slaughter houses at a fee. Citizens and farmers who have been using biogas for cooking and lighting have greatly benefited and do not have any regrets of using it. They have no dream of turning back to other sources of energy. The merits outweigh the demerits and since nobody wants to spend more money on cooking and petroleum gas, with the tough times brought to the economy by Covid-19, biogas is the immediate remedy, and one can get the raw materials free of charge. Kenya is making efforts to use clean energy like wind power and geothermal, farmers should therefore feel challenged to use little or no cost at all for energy and especially during these tough economic times of price increment in fuel products.