08/12/2021 Reprinted from the Hartford
Stacie Prescott, Head of Energy, The Hartford
Solar energy is the power that comes from the sun. By collecting solar radiation, it can be used in
many ways or converted into useful energy.
A popular method is through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Also known as solar panels, these
devices get installed to convert sunlight into electricity. Federal tax credits, like the solar
investment tax credit (ITC), made these systems more affordable. And when you also consider
the benefits of solar energy, these factors led to a significant increase in residential and
commercial solar panel system installations over the past 20 years.
Since 2006, the solar industry has grown by over 10,000%. 1 And the pandemic isn’t slowing
things down either. In fact, the country installed 5 gigawatts of solar capacity in the first quarter
of 2021 to reach 102.8 gigawatts of total capacity – enough to power over 18 million homes. 2
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) anticipates that the industry will install another
160 gigawatts of capacity over the next five years if growth rate remains the same.
The Benefits of Solar Energy
One of the biggest benefits of solar energy are the cost savings. Electricity rates vary by state,
but it’s not uncommon for owners of a solar panel system to pay low utility bills. In fact, the
average homeowner can save between $10,000 and $30,000 on utility costs over the lifetime of
their system.
In addition, solar energy is considered a clean, or green, energy. According to the Department of
Energy, each kilowatt-hour of solar produced greatly reduces greenhouses gas emissions. 4
How Is Solar Energy Harnessed?
Solar energy can be collected passively or actively. If solar energy gets used passively, it means
there’s nothing to process that energy. So, the heat from the sun is used directly. When you use
machinery or technology, like an inverter, to turn energy into power, it’s considered active solar
energy.
Passive Solar Technologies
With passive solar technology, sunlight gets used to heat and move air which ventilates and cools
a space. 5 A good example of passive solar technology is a greenhouse. Made of glass,
greenhouses use the heat from the sun to help with plant growth. This principle is also used in
building construction. By strategically using glass, a building can use solar energy to passively
heat the structure during the winter. Building features, like roofing angles and overhangs, can
also control solar energy in the summer so the building stays cooler during warmer temperatures.
What Is Active Solar Power?
When machines, motors or other technology get used with solar energy, it’s considered an active
system. Some common active solar power systems include:
PV systems: It’s not uncommon to see large solar panels installed on the roof of a home
or commercial building. In some areas, solar panel farms exist to generate electricity for a
company. This technology converts sunlight (photons) directly into electricity (voltage).
A large system can generate enough electricity to store in a battery that can power a home
or building during an outage. In some cases, the system owner can also sell the generated
power back to the electric utility company.
Solar hot water: This widely adopted form of green energy provides hot water to homes
and businesses throughout the year. There are different types of solar hot water systems.
Generally, these systems include:
o Rooftop-installed solar collector panels
o Insulated piping
Hot water storage tank: The solar panels trap the sun’s heat and transfer it to heat
potable water. The water then flows to a storage tank where it can be used.
Solar air heating and cooling: These systems can save large commercial buildings on
the cost of space heating, ventilation and cooling. Most systems have south-facing, wall-
mounted panels to maximize collection of solar radiation during the winter. Hot air taken
off the top of the panel gets ducted into the building. The same solar heat can also serve
as an energy source to cool the building in the summer.
Concentrating solar power (CSP): CSP plants product solar electricity on a large scale.
They’re similar to traditional power plants. Using a system of mirrors to concentrate
energy from the sun, steam turbines in the plant spin to generate electricity. The thermal
energy can be stored and used as needed. There are 11 CSP plants in the U.S. 6
Are Solar Panels Dangerous?
Be aware that electricity comes from two sources with PV systems:
The utility company
Solar array absorbing the sun’s light
Even if the building’s main breaker is shut off, the PV system still continues to produce
power.
This requires extra caution among solar workers.
The Future of Solar Technology
As the world’s energy demands continue to increase, state and federal governments have set
targets for new, clean energy sources to reduce carbon pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
One way to achieve this is through solar power. Some experts believe solar will be the most
important source of energy for electricity production in a large part of the world by 2030. 10
Demand for solar systems is at an all-time high, according to the Department of Energy. One of
the factors behind this trend is the decreasing cost for solar panel systems. Because of federal
and state incentives, the price to install solar systems has declined more than 65% over the last
decade. 11
Several states also support community solar programs that allow multiple customers to share the
cost and benefits of a ground-mounted solar installation. Panels can also be leased instead of
purchased, giving homeowners and business owners another option to make installation more
affordable.
In addition to batteries, innovation within the solar industry also continues to grow, like:
Bringing light to developing countries that otherwise rely on kerosene lamps or limited
electricity
Integrating PVs into building materials like roof shingles, facades and windows, helping
eliminate the need to install separate panels
Solar-powered mobile devices
Solar-powered transportation
Although the cost to install solar PV systems has decreased over the years, some experts
believe several factors will affect market penetration and growth. 12 To become more
widespread:
Costs will need to continue to drop
Access to technology and materials will need to increase
Large-scale solar systems will need to be incorporated into existing electric systems
“It’s hard to predict the future, but what is clear is that the solar industry and technology will
likely continue to grow,” Prescott said. “And as more systems get installed and companies find
ways to use solar energy, it’s essential to protect the businesses and people that work in this
industry to help foster it’s growth.”
Other articles of Interest:
1 Solar Energy Industries Association, “Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)”
2 Solar Energy Industries Association, “U.S. Solar Market Insight”
3 EnergySafe, “How Much Do Solar Panels Save?”
4 Department of Energy, “Benefits of Residential Solar Electricity”
5 National Renewable Energy Laboratory, “Passive Solar Technology Basics”
6 Solar Energy Industries Association, “Concentrating Solar Power”
7 Nasional Safety Council, “Most Dangerous Industries”
8,9 National Safety Council, “Industry Profile: Construction”
10 World Economic Forum, “The Future Looks Bright for Solar Energy”
11 Solar Energy Industries Association, “Solar Soft Costs”
12 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “Study on the Future of Solar Energy”
