Many residents of Northern Virginia are noticing an increase in solar panel usage throughout their community in recent years. Now more than ever, homes and businesses are investing in solar panels as the technology continues to develop and prices drop.
A solar array can offer a wide range of advantages, from reducing or eliminating your monthly utility bill to removing your dependence on the grid and providing power during outages. For these reasons and more, solar panel installations in Fairfax, VA have been up by popular demand.
However, it’s not just the advantages for their wallets over the long term that are encouraging homeowners to go solar. New solar panel technology trends are improving performance for arrays and making them more accessible.
Stay up to date with the latest advancements in solar panel technology and how they apply to homeowners in Fairfax. A reputable and experienced installer can help you understand the innovations for your consideration.
Cost Reductions Across System Components
As solar panel installations become more widely adopted across the United States, researchers are spending more time considering how the current technology can be upgraded, changed, or improved.
Additionally, thanks to the boom in artificial intelligence and other technologies, manufacturing is becoming more efficient, and transportation of integral parts is less expensive than in the past. Combine this with economies of scale that keep prices competitive and you have a recipe for solar that is more affordable than ever.
The biggest drops in cost are being seen in many of the more technologically advanced features, such as the solar cells themselves and the system’s inverters.
Installers who participate in the Amicus Solar Cooperative are committed to staying on top of these changes so they can readily offer their clients competitive rates for the highest-quality solar features as they develop.
New Materials Used in Panels
It’s not just increased efficiency in manufacturing and production that is impacting the solar panel industry. Researchers are experimenting with new ways to make panels, improving the efficiency and the amount of energy the panels can generate.
For example, R&D teams are exploring the potential of a material called perovskite, which was discovered in the Russian geological table in the 1800s.
Perovskite appears to be more effective than silicon solar cells in their ability to convert sunlight into energy; arrays made with this material could see a significant boost in performance. Additionally, perovskite is easier to make, as it does not require the complex processing, high temperatures, and impeccably clean environment that silicon solar cells do.
Further research is being dedicated to perovskite solar cells. This is just one example of how the industry is changing in Fairfax and beyond.
Increased Grid Integration
Fairfax, VA residents with solar panel arrays have the option to participate in net metering and other statewide incentives for solar energy. This requires the home to be connected to the grid in order to sell its excess energy back to the utility.
Innovations in smart inverters enable these devices to more accurately manage the extra solar energy—which is important, because when utility workers are maintaining local lines, they need to be sure that homes with solar are not accidentally leaking energy back into the system for their own safety.
In the same vein, research on sensors continues to develop, improving their accuracy and enabling homes and businesses to monitor the efficiency of their solar panel installation and make adjustments to bring out the best in their systems.
Solar Farms and More Widespread Use
Now more than ever, solar farms are being cultivated to convert large enterprises toward greener energy. Fairfax has seen an uptick of business participants, and the city is using free space to install panels that can reduce the local reliance on electricity.
Nearby, large establishments such as Dulles Airport are investing in widespread solar panel installation farms; this particular project will use upwards of 200,000 solar panels by completion.
The trend of including solar is becoming more common in both residential and business construction strategies. This is expected to continue well into the 2030s, especially as state and federal incentives remain in effect.
Enjoy the Benefits of Solar With Help from Industry Experts in Fairfax, VA
If you are considering a solar panel installation for your home or business, it is important that you stay informed about changes in the industry, advancements that could impact your array’s efficacy, and how the cost is changing over time.
The experts at Ipsun Solar are part of the Amicus Solar Cooperative and, as such, stay on the cutting edge of solar technology keeping their customers educated about their solar options. Contact Ipsun Solar to discuss the potential for solar on your property or to ask questions about the process.
