The solar energy industry is bouncing back after many projects were paused in 2020 during COVID-19 lockdowns. Up to 191GW of new PV capacity is expected to be installed around the world this year, up by 32.6% from 2020, according to BloombergNEF. Several countries have already exceeded their solar capacity targets for 2021, as governments set ambitious targets for decarbonization.
In what ways has the industry advanced this year, and how have the keytrends from last year developed?
Five top solar power developments in 2021
Green hydrogen technology
2021 saw a major rise in interest in green hydrogen. The concept has sparked the interest of companies across the world and gained popularity throughout the year.
In the UK, major companies like Octopus Energy and RES are planning to invest significantly in the development of green hydrogen production sites across the country. The aim of these sites is “to accelerate the decarbonization of industrial business”. Overall, the project, and similar ones too, aims to help the UK become more independent when it comes to its energy.
In Switzerland and Canada, innovative ways to produce green hydrogen. Their electrolysis technology means they can produce green hydrogen from any source of water, impressively including saltwater. EBH2 systems partnered with silicon solutions company HPQ and they’re in the process of producing green silicon materials.
Efficiency boosting
Solar cell and module developers continue to look for ways to maximize PV panel efficiencies. Chinese manufacturers JinkoSolar and LONGi have surpassed solar conversion efficiencies of 25% this year for their crystalline silicon technologies.
Scientists in Australia have developed a bifacial silicon solar cell with an efficiency of 24.3% on the front and 23.4% on the rear, for an effective output of around 29%. In December 2020, UK-based Oxford PV set a new efficiency record for its perovskite solar cells at 29.52%.
Oxford PV completed the construction of the manufacturing site for its perovskite-on-silicon tandem solar cells in July. The company now expects to start full commercial production in 2022, with an annual output capacity of 100 MW.
Perovskites were a key solar development we identified as an upcoming trend in 2020.
Thin-film technologies
Thin-film PV panels have continued to take a back seat to crystalline silicon, which dominates around 90% of the solar market. But US trade restrictions on imports from China – particularly with concerns about the production of polysilicon in Xinjiang – have created opportunities for thin-film producers.
US-based First Solar, which produces cadmium-telluride solar modules and panels, said in June that it is investing $689 million to build its third manufacturing plant in the US, expanding its domestic production capacity by 3.3GW. The plant will increase the company’s capacity targeting the utility-scale solar market in the US to 6GW. In July, the companyannounced that it is also building a 3.3GW plant in India, reporting demand for its CdTe technology at a record level.
Chinese manufacturer China National Building Materials (CNBM), which produces thin-film copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) panels, is expanding its production with the addition of 1GW of capacity for CdTe modules.
Agrivoltaics
Maximizing the use of agricultural land by installing solar panels over crops is a small but growing segment of the solar market. Solar power generation can enable farms to become self-sustaining, and the shading from solar panels can increase crop yields and decrease water consumption by reducing evaporation.
Several new projects in Europe have got underway this year, including:
- A joint venture between solar services provider Greencells and Italian developer Renewable Consulting
- German renewables group BayWa r.e. expanding its project in the Netherlands
- Enel Green Power trialing pilot plants in southern Europe
- Sapiens Energía’s projects in Spain to study the growth of tropical fruit under solar installations.
Outside Europe, there are also projects underway in Japan, South Korea, and the US.
Asia and Africa accelerate their solar efforts
With the rapid increase in urbanization and economic growth, Africa is increasing its use of renewable energy. This year saw African governments seek out ways to improve access to energy, as well as considerable interest from overseas investments.
Throughout the year, various solar plants and projects have commenced, especially so in South Africa, generating more clean energy to power homes. And, European investors, like Swedish company Trine that allow anyone to invest in solar, announced that they’ve crowdsourced enough to finance five solar projects including sites in Nairobi and Johannesburg.
As the world’s third-largest consumer of energy, India has seen considerable growth this year as they battled a horrendous journey with Covid-19.
Their bold goals have seen them supercharge their energy development as they aim to quadruple their renewable energy capacity by 2030. During the first 9 months of this year, the country added 8.8GW of solar energy. Going into 2022, India will be faced with the biggest demand for energy across the globe, with its huge uptake in industrialization, as well as increasing economy and population.
How have the top solar technologies mentioned below developed since 2020?
As we anticipated and have seen this year, floating PV installations have taken off, with projects targeting larger capacities than before. While the total global capacity of floating solar farms was 2.6GW at the end of 2020, there are now projects in some parts of the world with capacities in excess of 2GW. In South Korea, the government plans to add another 2.1GW across five dams in addition to the 2.1GW Saemangeum project, while Indonesia is planning the 2.2GW Duriangkang Reservoir project.
Insolight has started to apply its technology in the agrivoltaic sector, launching a pilot installation in Switzerland in July to test its Insolagrin solution, which replaces the protective tunnels used in agriculture with solar panels.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw delays to the pace of some developments, for example, Oxford PV had previously planned to launch its manufacturing facility in 2021. Butdelays in shipping equipment to the site and disruptions to work during lockdowns have pushed back the company’s expected full-scale ramp-up to 2022.
While the pandemic continues to have an impact on the global supply chain for the constriction industry, new BIPV products are emerging, indicating the sector is gearing up for expansion.
Top solar power developments in 2020
Here are the top developments we saw in 2020 that are likely to drive growth in the solar energy sector in the years to come.
Perovskite crystal coated panels
Perovskite is a lightweight calcium titanium oxide mineral, as well as a group of compounds that have the same type of crystal structure. Research has found that synthetic perovskite crystals are both more efficient and cheaper to produce than crystalline silicon, making them an exciting alternative for solar panel technology.
In fact, rather than displacing silicon, perovskite can be used to enhance it.
Oxford PV, a company spun out of Oxford University in the UK, is layering perovskite crystals over silicon to increase the conversion of sunlight into energy. While the efficiency of silicon PV cells has maxed out around 22%, Oxford PV’s layered cell has reached 27.3%. This increase in efficiency is key for the growth of renewable energy, as countries look for cost-effective ways to tackle climate change. Oxford PV plans to start selling perovskite solar panels in 2021 and several other start-ups are also developing products too.
Insolight panel coating
Swiss start-upInsolighthas developed a technology that uses hexagonal lenses in the protective glass that coats solar panels to concentrate light and produce more energy. The technology has reached an efficiency of 30%, which translates to 40% more earnings for solar developers.
Insolight received funding over the summer to start manufacturing. The company plans to sell its first modules to the agriculture sector, where they can be installed in fields and on rooftops, including greenhouses. Its translucent modules allow light to filter through to crops below and protect them from extreme weather conditions, avoiding competition for land use between agriculture and solar energy.
Heterojunction technologies or SmartWire
Heterojunction technology (HJT) applieslayers of thin-film silicon on both sides of a silicon solar cell. The layers increase the light conversion andcan bring the efficiency of the silicon cell up to 25%.
The technology itself is not new, but the expiration of patents is allowing more manufacturers to start developing it with increased efficiencies. And, deployments are expected to grow over the coming years.
Floating solar farms
Large installations of floating photovoltaic panels generate high volumes of electricity at a lower cost than land-based solar farms. Plus, they have the advantage ofnot using land or requiring installation on buildings.
High temperatures reduce solar panel conversion rates, but research shows thatthe cooling effect of the surrounding water allows floating panels to produce up to 10% more electricity and slows module degradation. Floating PV systems are faster to install than land-based installations, and have been shown to reduce water evaporation while improving water quality.
A combination of falling costs, successful pilot projects showing the benefits of the technology, government support, and investor interest is now driving the rollout of commercial-scale installations. Global installations of floating solar capacity could rise from around 2GW currently to as much as 400GW, or around the same amount as the total solar capacity installed in the world up to 2017, according to the World Bank.
Building-integrated photovoltaics
The European Union’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requires all new buildings in the region to be “nearly zero-energy” by the end of 2020. And, that the existing building stock that is energy inefficient, be improved in the coming decades.
To meet those targets,member states are turning to solar technologies to increase the proportion of clean energy that buildings consume. Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) extend beyond rooftop-mounted solar panelsto incorporate photovoltaic properties into the building materials themselves.
This means roof tiles, window glass, facades, and shades all generate electricity to supply the building. BIPVs actually becomepartof the architecture, seamlessly blending into the building design and eliminating the need for a separate mounted solar panel system.
Of the different types of BIPVs, solar glass is of particular interest in hot climates where it is effective in reducing the amount of heat penetrating the windows, in turnreducing energy consumption for air conditioning. Demand is only set to grow as urban populations increase around the world and climate change lifts temperatures.
Solar cell fabrics
We’re seeing even more developments, such as high-efficiency III-V materials that can be used on car rooftops and solar fabrics that can beused in household furnishings and clothing.
With new technologies driving the efficiency of solar deployments, and carbon emissions targets providing an impetus for the growth in renewables,RatedPower can help your company design and optimize PV installations.
If you are interested in knowing more about what we do, you should definitely dive deep in our website andrequest a demo of pvDesign.
What you should do now
Whenever you’re ready, here are 4 ways we can help you grow your solar business and reduce LCOE of your PV plants.
- Get hands-on with a free pvDesign demo. If you’d like to learn the ins and outs of how top photovoltaic software can help your engineering team, go ahead and request your free demo. One of our solar experts will understand your current design and engineering workflows, and then suggest practical tips on how to speed up them though the right tool.
- If you’d like to learn insights, ideas and inspiration for the low-carbon energy transition for free, go to our blog or visit our resources section, where you can download guides, templates and checklists solar successful pros use.
- If you’d like to work with other passionate experts on our team, or learn more about our purpose and corporate values, then see our Careers page.
- If you know another solar designer, developer or engineer who’d enjoy reading this page, share it with them via email, LinkedIn or Twitter.
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FAQs
What are the latest developments in solar technology? ›
The latest developments and breakthroughs in solar technology include longer-lasting solar cells, solar cells that you can print onto flexible surfaces, solar panels that track the sun from east to west throughout the day, and solar power plants that work at night.
What are the most efficient solar panels 2022? ›- Q Cells: Best Value.
- Silfab: Best Warranty.
- Canadian Solar: Most DIY Friendly.
- Panasonic: Best Panels for Hot Climates.
- REC: Best Durability.
- SunPower Maxeon: Most Energy-Efficient.
- Longi: Best Mid-Tier Option.
The most efficient solar panel for homes is a monocrystalline (mono) panel. These panels, made of silicon crystal, have the highest efficiency, falling between 15% and 22%. Thanks to the technological advancements in the solar industry, mono panels can generate more power using smaller panels with half-cells.
What are the 4 solar technologies? ›- Solar Photovoltaic Technology. Converts sunlight directly into electricity to power homes and businesses.
- Passive Solar Technology. ...
- Solar Water Heating. ...
- Solar Process Heat. ...
- Concentrating Solar Power.
There are two main types of solar energy technologies—photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP).
What is the most important benefit of solar energy? ›Renewable Energy Source
Among all the many advantages of solar energy, perhaps the most important benefit is that solar energy is a truly renewable source of energy. Solar energy can be harnessed anywhere in the world and is available every day. Solar energy is not finite like its fossil fuel counterparts.
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) created a solar cell with a record 39.5% efficiency under 1-sun global illumination. This is the highest efficiency solar cell of any type, measured using standard 1-sun conditions.
Who makes the best solar panel? ›SunPower Solar takes the top spot on our best list thanks to its top-of-the-line solar panels and strong warranties. The solar panels SunPower offers have industry leading efficiency marks (22.8%) and a warranty that guarantees at least 92% production after 25 years.
What's the biggest solar system for a house? ›If you do not have a high energy bill, a smaller system may suffice. However, with solar batteries becoming increasingly popular, most people will recommend a 5Kw system. A 5kW system is currently the largest you can install with out acquiring further consent. This will commonly be recommended by your installer.
What is the most efficient energy source? ›Nuclear Has The Highest Capacity Factor
This basically means nuclear power plants are producing maximum power more than 92% of the time during the year. That's about nearly 2 times more as natural gas and coal units, and almost 3 times or more reliable than wind and solar plants.
How long do solar panels last? ›
When you're doing your research for this sustainable energy source, it's important to factor in how long solar panels typically last. The industry standard for most solar panels' lifespans is 25 to 30 years. Most reputable manufacturers offer production warranties for 25 years or more.
What emerging technologies will make solar energy more efficient? ›Silicon panels are becoming cheaper and more efficient day by day. According to experts, if photovoltaic panels are placed on reservoirs and other water bodies, they offer even greater efficiency as well as a plethora of other benefits.
What are the 3 main types of solar energy? ›Solar thermal (for heating) Concentrated solar power (for electricity) Solar Photovoltaics (electricity)
What will replace solar panels? ›Caption: Perovskites are widely seen as the likely platform for next-generation solar cells, replacing silicon because of its easier manufacturing process, lower cost, and greater flexibility.
What is the future of solar power? ›Photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power are likely to continue to grow rapidly—the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) projects solar energy could provide 45% of the electricity in the United States by 2050 if the energy system is fully decarbonized—and technology costs are projected to continue to ...
How efficient is solar technology? ›How much sunlight solar panels can turn into electricity. Because conditions for solar panels are never perfect, they will never be 100% efficient. In fact, most residential panels have an efficiency of around 20%. Panels with 40% to 50% efficiency are available, but tend to be prohibitively expensive.
What is the importance of a solar power system? ›Solar energy - a clean source
No greenhouse gas emissions are released into the atmosphere when you use solar panels to create electricity. And because the sun provides more energy than we'll ever need, electricity from solar power is a very important energy source in the move to clean energy production.
| Advantages of Solar Energy | Disadvantages of Solar Energy |
|---|---|
| Reduces Electricity Bills | Weather Dependent |
| Diverse Applications | Solar Energy Storage is Expensive |
| Low Maintenance Costs | Uses a Lot of Space |
| Technology Development | Associated with Pollution |
As a renewable source of power, solar energy has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, which is critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. Solar energy can also improve air quality and reduce water use from energy production.
Which country uses the most solar energy? ›As of 2021, China has the largest solar energy capacity in the world at 306,973 megawatts (MW), which produces roughly 4.8%-6% of the country's total energy consumption. It is followed by the United States at 95,209 MW and Japan at 74,191 MW.
How does solar energy support life? ›
Almost all life on Earth relies on solar energy for food, either directly or indirectly. Producers rely directly on solar energy. They absorb sunlight and convert it into nutrients through a process called photosynthesis. Producers, also called autotrophs, include plants, algae, bacteria, and fungi.
How clean is solar energy? ›Solar energy technologies and power plants do not produce air pollution or greenhouse gases when operating. Using solar energy can have a positive, indirect effect on the environment when solar energy replaces or reduces the use of other energy sources that have larger effects on the environment.
Why solar energy is becoming popular? ›Solar energy is becoming an increasingly cost-competitive alternative to fossil fuels. Solar energy is a sustainable energy source, has a low environmental impact, and promotes energy independence.
What are the 2 main advantages to solar energy? ›Solar power is pollution-free and causes no greenhouse gases to be emitted after installation. Reduced dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels. Renewable clean power that is available every day of the year, even cloudy days produce some power.
Where is solar energy used? ›Solar energy is commonly used for solar water heaters and house heating. The heat from solar ponds enables the production of chemicals, food, textiles, warm greenhouses, swimming pools, and livestock buildings. Cooking and providing a power source for electronic devices can also be achieved by using solar energy.
Will solar panels ever reach 50% efficiency? ›Even worse, they generate heat which makes the efficiency of the panels degrade even further. Based on that, a team of scientists led by William Shockley and Hans-Joachim Queisser calculated back in 1961 that the maximum theoretical efficiency of a silicon-based solar panel is 30%.
What is a Tier 1 solar panel? ›Tier 1 solar panels are built with higher standards (to last longer and produce abundant solar power) and have a highly regarded reputation within the solar industry for quality and service so one can expect Tier 1 manufacturers to honor their product warranty compared to Tier 2 and Tier 3 manufacturers.
How many solar panels are needed to run a house? ›How many solar panels does the average house need? With a home of roughly 1500 square feet, it is estimated that 15 to 18 solar panels will be needed.
How long do solar inverters last? ›The solar inverters on panels usually last between 10-12 years and typically need replacing at least once over the panel's lifetime. The power inverters are crucial for safe and efficient operation of solar panels.
Are buying solar panels worth it? ›There are various ways solar panels pay off, from reducing your carbon footprint to increasing your home's value. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that homes with solar power increased in value by $20 for every dollar saved on energy. That is a 20-to-1 return on investment (ROI).
Which is best on grid or off grid solar system? ›
Being grid-tied is beneficial because you don't have to buy an expensive battery back-up system to store any excess energy. Being off-grid means you are not connected in any way to your grid's power system or utility company. This is appealing because you are 100% self-sustaining your energy use.
What is a good size solar system? ›Typical solar PV systems installed in 2021 are at least 6.6kW in size and we think that's a good size for most homes to aim for right now. That said, bigger systems of 8–10kW are becoming more common, especially for systems that include a storage battery.
What is the next generation of solar panels? ›PERC Solar Panels
PERC solar delivers a more efficient cell, panels built with PERC more easily convert sunlight into usable electricity. Two essential features of PERC are its ability to operate efficiently in low-light conditions and high temperatures.
You can add a new solar system, although two systems working side-by-side can make adding batteries and backup trickier. The benefits of this third approach: With a new system, you get a separate warranty. Installing a new solar system may be cheaper than upgrading.
Is solar power cheaper than electricity? ›The report follows the International Energy Agency's (IEA) conclusion in its World Energy Outlook 2020 that solar power is now the cheapest electricity in history. The technology is cheaper than coal and gas in most major countries, the outlook found.
Can solar replace fossil fuels? ›The short answer: yes.
Is nuclear energy better than solar? ›Both solar and nuclear power offer a substantial amount of energy without producing carbon dioxide. However, solar energy is the safer, more sustainable, and less expensive option.
What causes solar panels to fail? ›Five reasons for solar panel degradation and failure:
General Degradation - Premature failure due to water ingress or other defects. LeTID - Light and elevated Temperature Induced Degradation - sudden 3% to 6% loss in performance. Micro-cracks and hot spots - Longer-term defect and failure due to broken or damaged ...
Solar panels will become dirty over time. Typically, rainfall will serve as a consistent and effective method of washing the panels. However, in more arid climates where rainfall is minimal and dust storms are often an issue, it may be necessary to periodically rinse your solar panels.
Which solar technology is best? ›The most efficient solar panel for homes is a monocrystalline (mono) panel. These panels, made of silicon crystal, have the highest efficiency, falling between 15% and 22%. Thanks to the technological advancements in the solar industry, mono panels can generate more power using smaller panels with half-cells.
What are the latest developments in solar technology? ›
The latest developments and breakthroughs in solar technology include longer-lasting solar cells, solar cells that you can print onto flexible surfaces, solar panels that track the sun from east to west throughout the day, and solar power plants that work at night.
Is solar power an emerging technology? ›Solar power is in a constant state of innovation in 2019, with new advances in solar panel technology announced constantly. In the past year alone, there have been milestones in solar efficiency, solar energy storage, wearable solar tech, and solar design tech.
Is solar technology improving? ›Solar panel efficiency has dramatically improved over time, and panels continue to push new limits each year. At the same time, the cost of going solar continues to drop. Start comparing custom solar quotes on the EnergySage Marketplace to see your potential savings.
What is the future of solar panels? ›Photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power are likely to continue to grow rapidly—the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) projects solar energy could provide 45% of the electricity in the United States by 2050 if the energy system is fully decarbonized—and technology costs are projected to continue to ...
What advances in technology are being pursued for use of solar energy? ›Solar power is in a constant state of innovation in 2019, with new advances in solar panel technology announced constantly. In the past year alone, there have been milestones in solar efficiency, solar energy storage, wearable solar tech, and solar design tech.
What's the future for solar panels? ›Among the findings: Accelerated solar PV deployment coupled with deep electrification could deliver 21% of the CO₂ emission reductions (nearly 4.9 gigatonnes annually) by 2050. Solar PV could cover a quarter of global electricity needs by mid-century, becoming the second largest generation source after wind.
Why solar energy is the future? ›Solar energy creates pure, clean, and renewable power from the sun, a perfect alternative to fossil fuels, such as natural gas and coal. It also reduces carbon footprint and greenhouse gases worldwide.
What are the 3 types of solar energy? ›Solar thermal (for heating) Concentrated solar power (for electricity) Solar Photovoltaics (electricity)
What is the highest efficiency solar panel? ›Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) created a solar cell with a record 39.5% efficiency under 1-sun global illumination. This is the highest efficiency solar cell of any type, measured using standard 1-sun conditions.
Is solar Good Investment? ›On average, homeowners can expect to save around $1,400 a year on their bill after switching to solar. The rising cost of electricity, combined with the declining cost of solar panels and systems the last few years, makes investing in solar energy a no-brainer for homeowners.
What happens to solar panels at end of life? ›
Just like paint, batteries, electronics and furniture waste, solar panels are going to landfill. Solar panels and other electronics waste in particular may contain hazardous substances. When these products end up in landfill they contribute to Earth's pollution problem.
How long do solar panels last? ›When you're doing your research for this sustainable energy source, it's important to factor in how long solar panels typically last. The industry standard for most solar panels' lifespans is 25 to 30 years. Most reputable manufacturers offer production warranties for 25 years or more.
What is the importance of a solar power system? ›Solar energy - a clean source
No greenhouse gas emissions are released into the atmosphere when you use solar panels to create electricity. And because the sun provides more energy than we'll ever need, electricity from solar power is a very important energy source in the move to clean energy production.
| Advantages of Solar Energy | Disadvantages of Solar Energy |
|---|---|
| Reduces Electricity Bills | Weather Dependent |
| Diverse Applications | Solar Energy Storage is Expensive |
| Low Maintenance Costs | Uses a Lot of Space |
| Technology Development | Associated with Pollution |
As a renewable source of power, solar energy has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, which is critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. Solar energy can also improve air quality and reduce water use from energy production.
Can solar panels be recycled? ›Typically in the United States, solar panels are recycled at general-purpose glass recycling facilities, where their glass — and sometimes their metal frames — are recycled, and the remaining components are thrown away or burned.
Where is solar energy most popular? ›China boasts by far the world's largest installed solar energy fleet, measured at 205 GW in 2019, according to the IEA's Renewables 2020 report. In the same year, power generation from solar energy totalled 223.8 terawatt hours (TWh) in the country.
What is the largest source of energy in the world? ›Oil: what share of energy comes from oil? Oil is the world's largest energy source today. It is the dominant source of energy for the transport sector in particular.