Sustainable Success: The Evolution Of Solar Power

Solar technology has come a long way in the past couple of decades. Take a look at the developments that have brought solar power from a novel concept to solar panels Texas homeowners count on for reliable power.  

Technological Advancements

There is no doubt that solar technology has grown, enabling its wide adoption on rooftops. Here is a quick look at that evolution from its earliest days as a promising new technology to modern solar power plants. 

Early Solar Technology

As early as the late 1700s, solar power was a viable method of cooking and powering steamboats. However, the first PV cell emerged in the 1880s. It was a highly inefficient creation with a selenium base. The modern silicon PV cell was invented in 1954 and reached about 4% sunlight conversion efficiency. 

Current State of Solar

Today’s panels still use a silicon base. They are available in various sizes, shapes, and production capabilities to meet different needs. Residential panels are typically monocrystalline, which indicates that the cells are made from a single piece of silicon. They can reach a sunlight conversion efficiency of about 20%, so they are far more productive than early cells. 

Solar farms are another major player in today’s market, generating over 85 gigawatts of power each year. They typically use a technology called concentrating solar-thermal power. These systems use mirrors to reflect light and generate heat, which they then convert into power. 

Residential Solar

Residential solar power relies on photovoltaics. PV panels use individual cells to absorb sunlight, which creates an electrical charge. This charge can be stored for later use or converted into usable energy for your home. 

Modern PV Panels

The two main types of PV panels used today are polycrystalline and monocrystalline. Mono solar panels are the more efficient of the two. Because of this increased efficiency, they require less space for installation, which makes them more popular for residential solar panel installation Charlotte NC.

Modern panels can produce more power than earlier models. A typical new installation will use 350 to 400w panels, meaning each one can produce that much power in an hour of peak sun exposure. The number of panels you need will depend on your household energy consumption. 

Battery Technology

Home batteries for new installations typically have a lithium-ion composition. These can handle around 4,000 discharge cycles, meaning you can expect to get at least 10 years out of each one. The high initial cost is offset by this long use period and the convenience of being able to store solar power for nighttime and cloudy days. 

Not all residential solar setups have batteries. They are usually worth the investment if you live in an area with very high electric rates, want backup power for emergencies, or if your utility company does not offer net metering. 

Solar technology has covered a lot of ground, and it continues to advance today. If you are considering investing in residential solar panels, take some time to research available solar incentives Virginia residents can use to save on upfront costs.