SOLAR technology has expanded to offer the complete residential solution. It now offers more than just electricitygeneration, with automation and energy management that is truly a great asset to any modern home.
Solar Story Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology has been around since the 1950s when it was developed by NASA. The power-generating blue cells can still be seen today on any space station.
Fast forward to 2010 and rooftop solar installation emerges from the initiatives of the developed world to tackle climate change. Bodies such as the EU introduced the idea of ’20 per cent renewables by 2020’, and tariffs were subsequently created to incentivise and kickstart the renewable industry and European manufacturing. Jersey, of course, decided to pass on such an initiative.
The Now and Future Almost ten years later, there are some 800,000 rooftop solar installations across the UK alone. China’s aggressive competitiveness has since crushed most of the European solar manufactures to all but a few. Despite the EU imposing protectionist tariffs, the solar industry is globally now very competitive and continues to make rapid technological progress.
While utility-scale solar farms are now on a par with, if not cheaper than, many fossil-fuel alternatives, the price of residential solar has also fallen by 50 per cent since 2010.
Efficiency has increased but not as much as the aesthetics of a solar roof, user experience and functionality. The latter has improved greatly with most solar manufactures offering a user-friendly platform and app to enjoy and manage their solar generation.
These manufacturers are branching into e-mobility, home automation and even a Google assistant to win over potential customers.
The good news is that technology in this sector is built with upgrades in mind so firmware is easily installed.
Solar panels themselves are now considered less important than the electrical heart and communication element of an installation with companies like Tesla championing what the future holds.
Homes with solar energy-generation will soon be commonplace like underfloor heating which, until recently, was seen as a luxury.
Imagine viewing your solar generation and energy use live from the office as the sun rises.
The morning sun takes care of water-heating as the system diverts power to your immersion. An electric car arrives at lunchtime, the system responds and delivers only the free solar power available.
The car leaves after its short top-up and the system starts charging your battery pack through the afternoon.
On your return from the office, the battery pack starts to discharge as the sun goes down and activity in the house begins.
The cycle repeats as the sun rises again, which it will always do.
