This article examines the key operational bottlenecks affecting today’s solar plants and explains how HALEAD SUNPLUS integrated solution—combining high-performance materials with full-process services—can convert these constraints into measurable and sustainable gains in power generation. The approach offers a clear value-enhancement pathway for both new and existing PV installations.
- Low Ground Reflectivity: Improving the Performance of Bifacial Modules
In most conventional solar plants, the ground surface consists of sand or vegetation, with a reflectivity rate of only 20–30 percent. This limits the amount of light captured by the rear side of bifacial modules, effectively capping their generation potential. Until now, the industry has lacked a practical and widely applicable solution.
The SUNPLUS solution:
SUNPLUS uses a high-reflectivity membrane with an initial reflectance of up to 88 percent. The reflected light spectrum is designed to align with the absorption range of photovoltaic modules, effectively turning the ground into a secondary light source and boosting overall system efficiency.
In real-world applications, including the Ibri II solar power plant in Oman, the system has been operating reliably since September 2021. Performance assessments indicate a sustained increase in power generation of approximately 9% to 11%.
(Photo: Ibri II Power Plant Project in Oman, September 2021 to present)
- Insufficient Morning and Evening Generation: Smoothing Power Output
During early morning and late afternoon hours, sunlight strikes panels at low angles. Under cloudy or rainy conditions, light becomes more diffuse. In both cases, modules struggle to absorb sufficient radiation, leading to a noticeable drop in output and reduced overall stability of the power plant.
The SUNPLUS solution:
A high-reflectivity ground surface enhances the redistribution of low-angle and diffuse light, providing additional illumination to the rear of modules and adjacent arrays. SUNPLUS performs particularly well under low-irradiance conditions—such as overcast weather and dawn or dusk—helping to smooth the daily generation curve. This results in more stable output and improved grid integration.
(The picture shows the daily power generation efficiency analysis)
- Dust and Soiling: Achieving Efficient, Low-Cost Operations
In desert regions, wind-blown sand affects both the ground surface and the panels themselves, reducing the system’s ability to capture sunlight. Without reflective ground coverage, dust resuspension becomes more severe, increasing soiling on both sides of the modules. This not only reduces efficiency but also raises the failure rate of cleaning equipment and pushes up maintenance costs.
The SUNPLUS solution:
The SUNPLUS reflective membrane features a multi-layer protective structure with UV resistance, anti-soiling properties, and self-cleaning capabilities. Its nano-coating creates a lotus-leaf effect, reducing dust adhesion and allowing natural wind and rainfall to remove surface contaminants. By stabilizing the ground, the membrane also suppresses dust at its source.
When combined with optional fully automated robotic cleaning systems, SUNPLUS enables intelligent, low-carbon, and cost-effective operations and maintenance.
- Enhancing Power Generation in Existing Solar Plants
As the cost of photovoltaic hardware approaches a floor, investors face two growing constraints: limited land availability and a slowing pace of LCOE reduction. Extracting additional generation from existing sites—and shortening payback periods—has therefore become a critical challenge.
The SUNPLUS solution:
For operational plants, SUNPLUS offers a non-intrusive retrofit solution that can be installed quickly without altering the original electrical structure. By deploying high-reflectivity materials and targeted reflectance-enhancement designs, the system significantly improves overall light utilization.
The resulting increase in generation can reduce LCOE by approximately 0.5 to 4 percent. Financial modelling under typical conditions suggests that this retrofit can raise project returns by 20 to 26 percent. When combined with broader upgrades, such as module replacement, improvements in capital returns may reach around 49 percent, depending on site-specific factors.
- New Projects: The SUNPLUS Integrated Approach
For newly built solar plants, SUNPLUS provides a fully integrated solution covering design, installation, and long-term operation.
At the planning stage, generation-gain simulations take into account latitude, array layout, and module selection to accurately forecast energy output and recommend optimal installation schemes. Reflective ground design is incorporated from the outset, ensuring compatibility with bifacial modules and tracking systems.
(Intelligent Operations and Maintenance System)
Installation follows standardized procedures and employs customized wind-resistant anchoring systems suitable for a wide range of ground conditions. During the operational phase, the combination of self-cleaning reflective materials and intelligent maintenance systems helps reduce operating costs while maintaining long-term reflectivity and performance gains throughout the plant’s lifecycle.
Conclusion
Industry data show that well-designed large-scale ground-mounted solar plants typically achieve performance ratios (PR) of around 80%–85%. SUNPLUS builds on this foundation, delivering an additional 5%–11% improvement in PR while also lowering LCOE.
By integrating design, installation, and operations into a single closed-loop system, HALEAD SUNPLUS solution offers a practical and proven pathway for solar assets to preserve and enhance their value in an increasingly competitive market. It represents a tested strategy for achieving long-term performance gains and stronger economic returns from photovoltaic power plants.
Project Technical Consultation:
Expert: Leo Wang (Vice President of Sales)
Phone: +86 15257372578
Email: leo@halead.com
Website: https://composite.halead.com/product/sunplus-albedo-boosting-solution
