Innovation Continues In The Solar Industry

The solar industry has come a long way since its inception, evolving from an experimental technology to an integral part of our daily lives that we take for granted. But, despite the long history and seemingly established nature of the technology, innovation continues. In this article, I’m going to cover several things that show how this innovation continues, but first, let’s look at the long history real quick!

How Solar Became So Routine

Solar energy might seem like some new thing that came along during our lifetimes, or perhaps something that only became practical in the last few years, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

The story of solar energy began in 1839 when French physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect. He observed that certain materials could generate electricity when exposed to sunlight. This groundbreaking discovery laid the foundation for the development of solar cells.

In 1954, Bell Labs introduced the first practical solar cell made of silicon, which had an efficiency of about 6%. This early solar cell was primarily used for space applications, powering satellites and space probes. It wasn’t until the 1970s that solar cells became more widely available for terrestrial use, due to growing concerns about fossil fuel depletion and environmental pollution.

The oil crisis of the 1970s led to a surge in interest in renewable energy sources, including solar power. Governments around the world began investing in solar technology, funding research, and offering incentives for solar installations. In the United States, President Jimmy Carter installed solar panels on the White House roof as a symbolic gesture to promote clean energy.

Over the years, advancements in solar cell technology have significantly improved their efficiency and reduced the cost of solar installations. The price per watt of solar power has dropped dramatically, making it more accessible to both residential and commercial customers. Today, solar panels can convert around 20% of the sun’s energy into electricity, with some advanced models reaching up to 24% efficiency.

Looking back at all this, there’s a clear trend of improving technology, so we shouldn’t assume that we’ve reached the peak of solar technology. There’s still plenty of room for innovations, both large and small.

Integrating Hardware & Software

The first news item I want to share comes from Aderis Energy, LLC, a technology pioneer in the field of distributed renewable energy. The company has achieved a significant milestone in its commitment to a sustainable energy future. Through its innovative integrated software and hardware platform, Aderis Energy has delivered solutions for utility, commercial, and industrial (C&I) scale generation projects worldwide, cumulatively representing an impressive 2 gigawatts of clean, renewable power capacity.

“We are excited to see our solutions enable 2 gigawatts of renewable energy, and this achievement marks one of many significant milestones in our commitment to fostering a sustainable, distributed energy future,” said Colton Ward, Technical Sales Executive of Aderis Energy, LLC.

Aderis Energy distinctively serves the renewable energy sector by concentrating on C&I scale generation projects and offering a variety of integrated product solutions. These solutions include monitoring and control, power plant control, storage integration, interconnection solutions, and weather stations. Aderis assists customers in cost-effectively overcoming intricate utility integration obstacles such as inrush mitigation, zero export power plant control, custom inter tie protection relaying, and utility DERMS integration, among others.

“Our platform is a comprehensive solution, enabling our clients to meet complex utility requirements and maximize the benefits of their distributed energy resources,” said Brad Micallef, President and COO of Aderis. “As we continue to provide state-of-the-art solutions, our mission remains steadfast: to support the rapid deployment of clean energy resources that results in sustainability and a considerable positive impact on the environment.”

Learn more: CleanTechnica