Solar power isn’t new; it’s no surprise that the growth in solar cell technology from its infancy in 1939 to the industry it is today, has evolved quite dramatically. But even over just this past decade, photovoltaic (PV) technology has seen some major advancements; making it an increasingly dominant and important energy source for businesses all over the world.
History of Solar Cell Technology
From solar at the White House to sunless solar power, a lot has changed this past decade. Considering that ten years ago a solar system was going up every two hours in America, and in 2015 a solar system was installed every 2.5 minutes on average, it’s safe to say that the solar industry is booming.
Here are some of the most recent developments in solar cell technology, but if you want to take a stroll (further) back in time, read our previous blog, “Sun Through the Centuries: The History of Solar.”
Solar Investment Tax Credit
In the last decade, solar has experienced a compound annual growth rate of nearly 60% and the cost to install solar has dropped by more than 70%. Since its initial passage in 2006, the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) has been an integral part of providing that industry stability and growth.
Solar at the White House
Although not the first president to take advantage of alternative forms of energy at the White House, President Barack Obama had more solar panels installed in 2010. Doing so increased public knowledge of the technology and gave the economy a much-needed boost. Now, nearly 209,000 Americans work in solar, which is more than double the number in 2010. That number is estimated to double by 2020.
Flexible Printed Solar Panels
In 2015, solar cells as thin as paper started becoming manufactured using an industrial printer. With 20% power conversion efficiency, a single strip is able to produce up to 50 watts per square meter which eases their transportation to rural locations.
Sunless Solar Cell Technology
A research team from the University of California, Berkeley, and the Australian National University discovered new properties of nanomaterial in 2016 that could turn heat into electricity without the need for sunlight. The material glows when heated, called magnetic hyperbolic dispersion, for sunless solar power.
Commercial Solar Cell Technology
Solar power has come a long way over the past 200 years, and you can see how much it has evolved even just over this past decade. This technology shows no signs of slowing down — and actually, it is advancing at an unprecedented rate. As businesses continue to strive to incorporate sustainable building practices, the future is sure to hold even more important developments in the world of solar cell technology.
Licensed in 50 states and in Europe, KMB Design Group has provided designs and engineering services for over 450 locations and 375 Megawatts (MW) for a wide range of solar installations from small scale (less than 10KW) to large scale (over 8mw).
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