Emerging Trends in the Solar Industry

This is a little off the usual trail for me, but electric power redundancy and backup power systems do come of often in CISSP and other certification exams.  So here goes.

It has been a turbulent year for the solar industry. The cancellation of the solar tax credit and the subsequent market turmoil have taken a toll on everyone in the solar industry.  But there are always upcoming trends to look forward to. Some of these trends you will enjoy, while others you will loathe.  Here is the roundup of the latest trends happening in the solar industry.

Energy Storage

One of the biggest challenges facing the solar industry is the issue of intermittency. Because solar power is generated only when the sun is shining, it can be difficult to rely on as a consistent energy source.

However, the development of this solar technology can potentially solve this problem. Battery storage systems allow solar energy to be stored and used when needed. With this, it can provide a more reliable and consistent power source.

This also has the potential to make solar power more practical and cost-effective for a wider range of applications. It can be used in homes and businesses to large-scale power grids.

By storing excess energy during periods of low demand and releasing it during periods of high demand, energy storage can help to balance the grid and prevent blackouts. To ensure that you get the best energy storage solution for your needs, it’s important to use a top solar company with a proven track record of success in designing and installing energy storage systems.

Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)

Virtual power plants (VPPs) are networks of energy resources that work together and are managed as a single unit. This makes it easier to use energy resources more smartly. It also lets utilities provide a more stable and reliable source of electricity.

VPPs can be a great way to handle the changes in how much solar power is made. By coordinating how much energy different sources put out, utilities can better balance the grid and avoid using backup power sources. This can help lower the cost and damage to the environment of making and distributing energy.

Another benefit of VPPs is that you can use them to provide services to the grid, like regulating frequency and controlling voltage. Using distributed energy resources to provide these services, utilities can rely less on traditional power plants and help make the power grid more flexible and reliable.

Community Solar

People are becoming more interested in solar community projects to get the benefits of solar power without having to put solar panels on their own property. In solar community projects, many people work together to share the costs and benefits of installing solar panels.

Participants can either buy a piece of the solar installation or rent it. They can also get a credit on their electric bill for the power made by the part of the system that they own.

People who might be unable to put solar panels on their own property can do so through community solar. This can include renters, people who live in apartments or condos, and people whose homes aren’t good for solar panels because of shade, their face, or other things.

Participants in a solar community project can get the benefits of solar power for less money than they can on their own. This is because they are sharing their resources.

Green Hydrogen

Hydrogen that is made using renewable energy sources like solar power is called “green hydrogen.” It could be used in many different ways, from transportation to industrial processes. Green hydrogen is a fuel that doesn’t produce any emissions, unlike regular hydrogen, usually made from natural gas or other fossil fuels. This can help us become less dependent on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions.

Also, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are already being made and tested. In time, it could replace gasoline-powered cars that are constantly contributing to pollution. Because hydrogen fuel cells can be charged quickly and have a longer driving range than battery electric vehicles, they may be especially good for long-distance trucking and public transportation.

Green hydrogen can also be used in many industrial processes, like making steel and chemicals. By using green hydrogen instead of fossil fuels, these industries can make a big dent in their carbon footprint and help stop climate change.

Smart Grids

Smart grids are modern electricity grids that use high-tech tools. These include sensors and automation to control. With this, you can improve how electricity is distributed.

Smart grids help utilities handle the unpredictable nature of renewable energy sources like solar power in a better way. Smart grids can better balance the supply and demand of electricity by using real-time data and advanced algorithms. This ensures that the grid stays stable and reliable even as the amount of renewable energy grows.

Smart grids can also help cut costs and waste energy. Smart grids use sensors to track how much electricity is being used in real-time. This lets them figure out where energy is being wasted and take steps to stop it. This can help utilities and consumers save money and lessen the damage that making and using energy does to the environment.

Solar-Powered Transportation

The solar industry is also seeing a rise in solar-powered transportation. Solar-powered cars, buses, and even planes are being made and tested so that we can use fewer fossil fuels and release less carbon into the atmosphere.

Transportation is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. That’s why one of the best things about solar-powered transportation is that it is less harmful to the environment.

It can also help us become less reliant on oil from other countries and more independent in energy. Because solar power is made in the U.S. and can be used repeatedly, it can help reduce the need to import oil and improve energy security.

Power Up Your Life by Joining the Solar Industry

The solar industry is rapidly changing, with advancements and new ideas emerging daily. To keep up with the competition, companies must stay on top of these trends to remain at the top of the market.

Companies that invest in research and development now will benefit from improved efficiency and increased customer satisfaction for years. Get ahead by researching the latest solar tech trends to stay ahead of the competition.

Did you find the information in this article useful? If so, make sure to check out our blog for more helpful content and resources.

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About the Author:

I am a cybersecurity and IT instructor, cybersecurity analyst, pen-tester, trainer, and speaker. I am an owner of the WyzCo Group Inc. In addition to consulting on security products and services, I also conduct security audits, compliance audits, vulnerability assessments and penetration tests. I also teach Cybersecurity Awareness Training classes. I work as an information technology and cybersecurity instructor for several training and certification organizations. I have worked in corporate, military, government, and workforce development training environments I am a frequent speaker at professional conferences such as the Minnesota Bloggers Conference, Secure360 Security Conference in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, the (ISC)2 World Congress 2016, and the ISSA International Conference 2017, and many local community organizations, including Chambers of Commerce, SCORE, and several school districts. I have been blogging on cybersecurity since 2006 at http://wyzguyscybersecurity.com

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