What 2022 and Beyond Hold in Store for Solar Energy Innovations
What 2022 and Beyond Hold in Store for Solar Energy Innovations
Although 2020 will remain etched in memory as the year of the pandemic, it was also a pivotal year for the solar industry. The innovations from high-efficiency solar panels to blockchain-enabled energy distribution has the world holding its breath in anticipation for 2022.
If anything, the pandemic has increased concerns about similar events triggered by climate change. This has prompted global initiatives and zero-carbon targets to transition to renewable energy.
For many companies, that means they have all the incentives and support they need to produce Solar Energy Innovations and become the market leader. The fact is, solar energy has shown tremendous growth in recent years for commercial and residential use. With solar energy rapidly becoming a top priority, you can reasonably expect several innovations in 2022 and beyond.
Alternative Materials
As more households and businesses begin to install solar panels, it’s reasonable to expect companies to develop panels or features to maximize efficient energy conversion.
For example, in 2021, LONGi was able to break its previous conversion record by 0.10 percent. Similarly, in Western Europe, Oxford PV set a ground-breaking efficiency record at 29.52 percent for perovskite cells.
While the vast majority of solar panels today use silicon cells, perovskite remains a high-interest material. The crystalline structure has potential for low production costs and high performance in solar cells.
Although Oxford PV, like most companies, was disrupted by the pandemic, they expect to start commercial production in 2022. It’s exciting to see how lower-cost, more efficient solar panel kits will affect the market.
Increased Demand for Thin-Film Technology
Most of the solar energy market share is dominated by wafer-based silicon cells. These are extremely efficient, but they come at a high cost.
However, trade restrictions and other problems have turned the attention towards thin-film technology. These semiconductor films are one of the most cost-effective options on the market today.
They offer a wide array of advantages over other options. Some include reduced material consumption, large-area use and maximum performance in high temperatures. Additionally, these solar cells are capable of running at full performance, even under low-light and poor angles.
Increased Demand for Solar Products
Some Solar Energy Innovations you may see more of in 2022 include solar glass, shingles, roads, and curtain walls. New technology like transparent solar cells makes the list of possibilities seem limitless.
BIPV Solar Glass
Thin-film technology for BIPV solar glass use is ideal. That’s because the thin film offers optimal performance in low-light and poor angles. Additionally, the laminated glass panels increase durability and potential for use across applications.
The cost to install solar glass is similar to traditional windows. However, their contributing features make them a much more economical choice.
Solar Shingles
Solar shingles or solar roofs may show an increase in popularity in 2022 — especially with names like Tesla offering the product. The shingles use the same photovoltaic system as solar panels and require an inverter.
They are also an excellent option for both on and off-grid use due to their increased durability and long lifespan. Solar shingles have estimated lifetime use of about 25-30 years.
Installing a new solar roof has a similar cost to rebuilding your roof with traditional material. This is mostly in part due to the rapid decline in overall solar installation costs across the board.
Renovating your roof with solar shingles can increase the market value. Consider your home or building from a buyer’s point of view. Having a solar system that’s integrated with the overall design can be much more desirable than large black panels.
This makes pairing your new roof with a quality solar battery or two a worthwhile long-term investment.
Solar glass and shingles are perfect solutions for those who dislike the aesthetics of traditional panels. The transparency of solar cells allows consumers to adopt a renewable energy system without a drastic change to their home’s look.
Solar Cars
With global programs like the Electric Vehicles Initiative (EVI), people may see solar cars on the road much sooner than expected. Many people have been hesitant to transition to electric vehicles for two reasons.
The first is due to the subpar charging infrastructure, and the second is the rapid power drain when operating the car. These factors will contribute heavily to the increased demand for solar cars in 2022.
Solar Roadways
Another Solar Innovation that would make the world look closer to a scene out of a sci-fi film is a solar roadway. While they’ve all failed, including the one that opened in France in 2016, new technology may turn the concept into a success in the upcoming years.
The idea is that, like solar panels, the sun shines on the road at no cost. This makes it an ideal source to power the lights on the road without needing to pull energy from the grid.
The concept also includes built-in weight sensors for safer driving. It would alert drivers to disabled vehicles, animals, and other dangerous obstructions.
Although solar roads have failed in the past, the culmination of several factors contributes to making it a reality more than ever. These include lowered costs, increased efficiency, capacity, and job growth in the sector.
While the world may be a long way from implementing it on all roadways, 2022 could see a small handful of roads using it successfully.
Creating a Sustainable Future
As the concern for climate change grows, innovative technology continues to develop at an astonishing rate. It especially helps when governments fund decathlons to drive continued growth in the sector.
These are a few limited predictions of what 2022 and beyond may hold in store for the world. The bottom line is that solar technology is becoming much cheaper to produce, more efficient, and more reliable overall.