Solar Power: Trends to Watch Out For

Key Takeaways:

• Solar power is the most abundant renewable source of energy on the planet, and also the cleanest.
• Solar power is growing significantly in the energy sector, with many innovations being made to harness and distribute it.
• Solar panels have become more sophisticated in the last few years, with advancements that showcase powerful and flexible capabilities. 
• Digitalization has now entered the solar power sphere, with AI technology and algorithms unlocking solar panel efficiency and performance. 

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) says that solar energy is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available. While it is not the most dominant renewable energy source (hydroelectric), solar energy is growing rapidly in the energy sector. 

Deloitte reported that in 2023, the renewable energy landscape experienced a distinction: solar power saw substantial growth in utility-scale applications in the U.S., outpacing other renewable energy sources. Small-scale solar power generation saw growth of 20% for January-August 2023. 

One major development that Deloitte noted in its report is that solar and storage deployments are soaring, which means that more attention is now being given to developing more innovations for solar energy. 

Solar energy and photovoltaic (PV) energy go hand-in-hand, and may sometimes be used synonymously. Photovoltaic energy refers to electricity that comes from sunlight being converted and then stored in cells. The U.S. Energy Information and Administration (EIA) says that some PV cells can even convert artificial light into electricity. 

Many of the innovations for solar are related to PV innovations. Today, panels and cells are more advanced than ever, showcasing capabilities that are both powerful and flexible. 

For example, MIT has developed ultra-thin solar cells that can turn any surface into a power source. These cells are as thin as paper and are extremely lightweight, durable, and flexible. These cells act like solar power harnessing stickers that can be attached to any fixed surface, even clothing. 

The potential for application is vast and amazing—these solar cells can address a multitude of energy requirements, including emergencies and disaster relief operations. And they’re powerful too—these cells generate 18x more power-per-kilogram and can potentially be scaled to address industrial requirements. 

In our country, Mordor Intelligence reports that the PV industry is expected to grow significantly thanks to increasing small-scale solar PV deployment. Forecasts show a growing demand for solar PV in the industrial and commercial segments, which will positively impact the growth of the solar energy market in the Philippines.

Another trend on the horizon for solar energy is making solar panels look “more natural” and integrated within their environment. As the world comes to embrace solar energy more, it becomes part of the mainstream. Researchers are investigating how to harness this energy without “compromising aesthetics”. 

This is becoming possible through transparent solar panels. Window buildings and tall structures with PV glass allow buildings to harness and generate solar power. PV elements are incorporated into the architecture of buildings, not only for windows but for building facades, too. 

Innovations such as this become two-pronged: they serve an aesthetic purpose while serving a functional one. Form and function come together to create something beautiful and sustainable. 

Smart solutions are also rising in the solar energy space. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has an important role in optimizing solar energy systems. Algorithms are used to predict cycles of energy production and consumption, which provides more efficient energy management and better integration into power grids. 

AI tools, coupled with the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning technology provide smarter monitoring and maintenance of solar panels. These also improve not just the efficiency of the panels, but also prolong their lifespan. 

While it’s true that solar energy is abundant, capturing sunlight can be inconsistent, depending on the sun’s position and other elements such as the weather. It’s also not a 24/7 thing. Harnessing the most out of the hours of sunlight an area gets per day can be done more efficiently through solar tracking. 

Solar panels and PV panels are equipped with sensors that can automatically adjust depending on the sun’s position to capture the most amount of sunlight. 

With some of these innovations and advancements, the solar energy sector grows along with the many industries providing capabilities that make the sector more powerful.