• Home
  • Energy
  • Sustainability
  • Climate Change
    • Eco Editorial
  • Environment
    • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Pollution
      • Global Warming
      • Population Explosion
      • Renewable Energy
      • Species Extinction
      • Sustainable Management of Resources
    • Animals
    • Pollution
    • Environmental Policy
  • Green Technology
    • Green Tips
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Energy
  • Sustainability
  • Climate Change
    • Eco Editorial
  • Environment
    • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Pollution
      • Global Warming
      • Population Explosion
      • Renewable Energy
      • Species Extinction
      • Sustainable Management of Resources
    • Animals
    • Pollution
    • Environmental Policy
  • Green Technology
    • Green Tips
  • Contact Us
Top 4 Solar Innovations Shaking Up 2018
August 20, 2018

solar

The last few years, from 2016 to 2018, have seen huge new strides in the US solar energy industry. In California alone, the total amount of solar energy being consumed doubled three times, and while others states may be outmatched, they too are seeing increased use of solar.

Part of what’s driving the new “solar boom” is the advent of new, innovative solar technologies. Businesses do well to take advantage of these new tech opportunities to improve energy efficiency, attract eco-conscious consumers, and do their part to “save the planet.”

Many of the new developments are very exciting. Some are already quite practical to deploy on a wide scale, while others show great potential but are still in their “infancy” stage.

Here are our top four solar innovations affecting the market in 2018:

  1. New and improved solar panels

Solar panel efficiency surpassed 23.5% in 2016 and has continued to grow since then. Cost per Watt has also sunk in the last few years on the newest solar panel models, which is hinting that 20% surplus will be the new norm for efficiency on even lower-priced solar panels.

On the horizon is a new system by an MIT research team that could double solar panel efficiency in the near future. The system will be collecting and utilizing thermal heat build-up on solar panels that, up till now, has always been emitted and wasted.

  1. Solar Street Lamps

Integrated solar street lights are already becoming a common component of many municipal “eco-upgrades” in cities across the US.

These all-in-one products come as compact units that need very little maintenance and may transform the way we light up our streets and sidewalks in the years ahead. They collect power from the sun’s rays during the daytime and light up the street or parking lot for “free” from dusk till dawn.

Solar-powered street lamps are a great investment for both government agencies and private businesses alike.

Photovoltaic solar powered lights have been tested already on historic Route 66. They were installed in pavements along the highway for starters, complete with LED bulbs. The result is a system that melts snow and lights up the surrounding area all on self-generated solar power!

  1. Solar Tracking Mounts

How do your get more solar power production out of ground-mounted solar panels? Simple. Follow the sun, just like plants do.

Highly efficient solar tracking mounts now follow the sun’s path as it moves across the sky each day. They shift and tilt automatically to the optimal angle to collect the maximum amount of sunshine.

While this technology is not new, it is improved and is now gaining popularity like never before. By 2020, half of all ground-mounted solar panels are projected to be located on solar-tracking mounts.

  1. Solar Water Filters

A new miniature solar-powered water filter put out by Stanford University has made huge advances on past similar models. It no longer uses UV light only, nor does it take hours and hours of sunlight before it will work.

This model works in only minutes’ time. It is suspected to soon become a staple for hikers and outdoorsmen, but the principle behind it could signal major changes to how water is filtered at the home or office IF a larger model could be made.

These four innovations in solar equipment hold treat promise for the future of the industry. They also spell opportunity for business owners who want to make their business both as “green” and as profitable as possible.

Share

Energy

Krysta Jackson
Krysta Jackson a writer, who writes enriching posts.Apart from writing informative posts on latest technologies, she also writes largely on fashion, health,lifestyle , travel and other leading blogging platform & loves to share her knowledge with others through blogging. https://twitter.com/krystajakson https://plus.google.com/u/1/100938558248352290309 https://www.facebook.com/krysta.jackson.507

Leave a reply


Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • Recent Posts

    • The Environmental Impact Of Biomedical Waste And How To Reduce It
    • What Are the Most Eco-Friendly Types of Water Filters?
    • The Top 7 Eco-Friendly Kitchen Cabinet Picks For 2023
    • How To Sustain A Carbon-Neutral Lifestyle
    • Sustainable Fishing Methods to Fish More Responsibly
  • Categories

    • Animals
    • Climate Change
    • Eco Editorial
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Environmental Policy
    • Green Food
    • Green Technology
    • Green Tips
    • Green Travel
    • Infographics
    • Other Stories
    • Pollution
    • Recycle
    • Sustainability
    • Toxics
    • Uncategorized
  • Archives

    • March 2023
    • February 2023
    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2011



Home | About | Advertise With Us | Bike The Netherlands | Current Environmental Issues | Eco Editorial | Contact