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With pressure mounting on businesses to switch from high-carbon energy, like gas and electricity, the popularity of solar power is growing. And with energy prices soaring and a cost-of-living crisis to contend with, there’s never been a better time to invest in solar technology.
The future of solar power looks bright as efficient technology continues to evolve. And right now there are several trends gaining momentum:
Solar panels can now be integrated into building materials like roofing tiles and windows. This allows for more aesthetically pleasing designs and increases the surface area for solar panel installation.
Solar panels can also be integrated into car parks, saving you even more money.
Most current solar panels capture an average of 15% to 18% of solar energy from the sun. Install PVT cells (often used in temperature projects to optimise output), and this rises slightly to 20%.
Perovskite cells, however, smash this, with energy capture of between 28% and 29.8%.
What’s more, perovskite cells are easy to make and cheap to produce, making them an affordable option.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are also becoming increasingly popular, and many car manufacturers are incorporating solar panels into their designs to provide an additional power source. This is not only good for the environment, but it also helps to reduce the cost of operating EVs.
To help you reduce your carbon footprint and further meet your sustainability goals, you could swap company vehicles from gas to electric and install solar-powered electric vehicle charging and storage stations on-site.
Innovations in energy storage are playing a crucial role in the future of solar power. Advances in battery technology are making it possible to store excess solar energy during the day and use it at night.
While there are plenty of exciting advancements in store for 2023, there are more to come in the future:
While not yet available on the UK market, companies in the US are working hard to develop translucent, paper-thin cells that can be stuck onto windows and generate energy.
It’s frustrating that this technology is not yet available to the mass market. Still, giant strides are being made, and it’s possible that all windows could come with transparent solar panels as standard in the future.
Floating solar farms consist of solar panels mounted on floating platforms built into reservoirs and lakes. This is a cost-effective way to generate power, as the water cools the panels and increases their efficiency. It also provides the bonus of reducing evaporation by providing shade for the water.
Investment in their creation and implementation will increase in the next few years.
Innovations in energy storage are also playing a crucial role in the future of solar power. Advances in battery technology are making it possible to store excess solar energy during the day and use it at night, which helps to mitigate the issue of intermittency.
The future of solar power is exciting, with innovations being tried, tested, announced and released all of the time, it’s difficult to know how to:
And that’s before you even spend time comparing costs from a multitude of suppliers.
That’s where Inteb can help.
We’re experienced in net-zero strategy and energy efficiency, which means we can help you keep on top of the latest trends and innovations in solar energy, lower your carbon emissions, reduce your energy waste, and save you money on your energy bills.
Call us now on 0151 601 3476 or email [email protected]
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