The sun produces enough power on the earth every second to satisfy the entire energy demand for more than two hours. Since this is such a renewable and readily available power source, it has become a popular alternative energy source.
While this is true, as of 2018, under two percent of all the world’s energy was derived from solar. One of the reasons for this is that solar energy harvesting was both inefficient and expensive in the past.
Today that is no longer the case. Looking to the future, it is clear that solar energy will play a huge role in powering the world and essential processes.
Keep reading to learn more about the future of solar energy.
Floatovoltaics, a.k.a. Floating Solar Farms
Each day, silicon panels are becoming more efficient and cheaper. If photovoltaic panels are installed on reservoirs and other larger bodies of water, they provide even more efficiency and benefits than when installed elsewhere.
Floatovoltaics are a type of photovoltaic solar power system that is designed to float on water.
A floating solar farm could generate a large amount of electricity without using valuable land. Also, the cost of installing these panels is less than installing them on land.
It has also been proven that the power production is more than 10% higher than land-based panels because of the water’s cooling effect.
Innovative Hybrid Devices
Solar cells and solar panels, like what’s offered at https://blueravensolar.com/north-carolina/raleigh/, use photovoltaic technology for generating electricity. While this is true, there’s a novel hybrid device that can handle the tasks of capturing and storing solar energy until it is used.
This innovative hybrid device can capture the sun’s heat, then store it in the form of thermal energy. With this device, it is possible to enable the wider scale adoption of solar power because it can generate energy 24/7, regardless of the limited sun or adverse weather conditions.
Photovoltaic Solar Noise Barriers or PVNB
A concern in the U.S. for years is highway traffic noise. To overcome this problem, 48 states have built more than 3,000 miles of noise barriers. The ultimate goal was to design barriers that would perform well without being expensive. Now, these noise abatement efforts have been combined with sustainable power generation.
With the use of noise barriers throughout the U.S., the possibility of producing solar energy from these is around 400-gigawatt hours each year. This is equivalent to the amount of electricity used in around 37,000 homes.
Understanding the Future of Solar Energy
As you can see, the future of solar energy is bright. If you have already invested in this technology, you probably know this. If you haven’t, now is the time to do so.
For more helpful information and resources on topics like hardware, software, and innovative communication methods, check out our other blogs. We often publish to ensure you stay informed.
