What’s happening in the solar industry today?

Solar panels are some of the most innovative technology on the market today. Being part of the technology realm, there’s constant change and development. To help keep you up to date, here’s the 411 on what’s happening in the solar industry today.

Solar-Powered Cars
In 1955, William Cobb introduces the first PV powered model car at the General Motors’s car show. 7 years later, the International Rectifier Company used more than 10,000 solar cells on the car’s roof to create the first solar car a person could actually drive.

“Since [1962], PV cells have undergone waves of development and improvements that have increased their efficiency, making them the go-to power source for satellites, Coast Guard lighthouses, railroad crossing gates, highway warning and notification signs and—to the citizens living in outlying areas of Tahiti, the power that keeps their lights, radios and TVs on at night. In fact, solar power is the most common solution in off-the-grid rural areas in nations all around the world.” -New England Wire Technologies

As the technology to provide power for people in rural areas improves, so does the technology to power full-sized, everyday vehicles. Not only is the technology improving, it’s also becoming less expensive. In fact, the first fully-sun-powered car is getting ready to hit the market for as low as $26,000.

“Aptera Motors, a California company whose name comes from the ancient Greek for “wingless,” is rolling out the first mass-produced solar car this year. It’s a three-wheel, ultra-aerodynamic electric vehicle covered in 34 square feet of solar cells. The car is so efficient that, on a clear day, those cells alone could provide enough energy to drive about 40 miles — more than twice the distance of the average American’s commute.” - Washington Post

While the new Aptera developments are very exciting, there’s still a long way to go. At first, the car’s creaters weren’t planning to design a solar-powered car. They just wanted an efficient car. They found that solar power was the most efficient way to power a car’s moter with only a 10% loss of energy. In gas vehicles, only about 12 to 30 percent of gasoline fuel goes toward moving the vehicle. The rest of the energy is lost with heat in the engine and wind resistance at the wheels. The efficient design of the car makes it possible to go more than just a few miles using energy powered by its PV cells. If they were to put the same technology on a standard, 4-wheel car model, the car would need panels the size of a semi truck to make a normal commute.

Even though there’s a long way to go with PV technology on cars, there are already great solutions for powering an electric or hybrid car with stationary solar panels. Many homeowners installing solar panels are designing their system to also power their electric vehicle- a double smart investment.

Mini-Grids
Imagine a life without electricity. How would you power your fridge and freezer to keep your food from spoiling? How would you do anything past sunset? What would you do once your phone ran out of battery? How would your local hospitals and schools function? It’s almost impossible to imagine. Yet, this is how 590 million people in Africa currently live.

Electricity access is essential for our livelihood. So how do people in rural areas survive? “[They] often rely on polluting, unreliable and costly diesel-powered generators. Solar-powered mini-grids could be the answer to rural access and dirty energy. Well-suited to small, remote communities, renewable energy mini-grids can now be the cheaper, greener option for rural electrification.” -ODI

When combined with efficient and environmentally sustainable battery storage, solar mini-grids present a compelling economic case for rural communities in Africa. According to the International Energy Agency they are essential to future rural electrification in Africa. These mini-grids could also save up to 470 million metric tons of global C02 emissions in one year… roughly equivalent to Brazil’s annual CO2 emissions.

Though these mini-grids provide an astounding solution to a large issue, they are severely under-utilized. In the next few years, governments should integrate these mini-grids into national electrification plans and set up infrastructures so that they become more and more accessible.

Recreational Solar
We expect to see these mini-grids become more popular over the next few years not only for providing energy in rural areas but also for recreational use, like off-grid camping. Though at a much smaller scale, these mini-grids can provide efficient solutions for people who want to “leave no trace”.

Solar generators are growing in popularity. Especially for the new camper-van craze. They are more eco-friendly and much quieter than the traditional fossil fuel generators. They’re also wildly popular because of their limitless supply. With a one-time purchase, you can power and recharge your devices over and over again at no additional cost. Other generators require additional fuel to keep you going.

Government Support
Solar technology is improving. Costs are dropping. Government assistance is changing. Since 2006, the government has been allotting tax dollars to incentivize home-owners to invest in renewable energy and install solar panels on their homes. Their efforts have been majorly successful. Since they started offering incentives, the solar industry has grown in ten-fold. The initiative has created more jobs, lowered dependence on fossil fuels, and increased home values all around the country.

Currently, you can receive a tax credit for 26% of the cost to install solar on your home. Next year (2023), that credit will drop to 22%. Unless the government renews the ITC (Investment Tax Credit) in 2024, the credit will expire at the end of next year. The more time goes on, the more large utility companies try to lower the incentives so that citizens remain dependent on their energy.

We expect the credit to be renewed and for state and local incentives to continue but there is no guarantee. We also expect to see more attempts to adjust the Net Energy Metering programs in California and other states.

Our predictions for the future of solar:
Overall, the solar world has changed a lot in the last few years and will continue to change in years to come. Technology will become more efficient, incentives will change, and prices will continue to drop. We will see solar reach more rural areas and become more present in every-day life.

If you’re wondering if it’s better to hold off on installing solar for your home or if you’ve missed the boat, it’s time to talk with one of our experts. Fill out the form below and start the conversation today!

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