What’s New in the Solar Industry?

There has been a substantial upswing in the number of solar-equipped homes throughout America. The industry has taken a turn for the better, and in recent months, support for alternative energies has grown even more. But the technology of solar energy equipment is where the really exciting changes are taking place. Both the types of panels and the construction of those panels have gone through changes in recent years that are causing for more affordable solar equipment for residential homeowners. Here are just a handful of quick facts about the exciting evolution of clean energy and solar power technologies.

The Latest Statistics

• The Solar Energy Industry Association recently reported that, from 2013-2014, American usage of solar power increased by 34 percent.
• According to a report by The Solar Foundation, the solar industry has grown more than 53% over the past four years, including a 20 percent increase in solar industry jobs between 2012 and 2013. As a whole, the industry currently boasts just under 150,000 jobs, and it’s growing every day.
• In a recent study, the National Renewable Energy Association found that one-fourth of rooftops, or 25 percent, meet the requirements for solar panels.

New Solar Technologies

• Along with homes and office buildings, schools and hospitals are beginning to explore the possibilities of solar energy use, with specialized panels constructed for more wide-spread efficiency.
• Construction companies have started catering building designs to the interest in solar, incorporating effective panel placement into new homes and commercial buildings. This is expected to increase the efficiency of the panels, but also, to cut down on the costs of construction.
• Just a few years ago, an average solar panel was thought to utilize less than 18% of the sunlight that it received, but in 2014, the University of California developed a solar cell with an efficiency of 25%. Such an extreme increase in efficiency could have the potential of doubling a homeowner’s investment in solar, making it all the more worthwhile to invest.