October 13, 2024 Advances in Solar PV
What is the future of solar PV technology in the UK?
For homes and businesses up and down the country, the transition to renewable energy isn’t just a pipe dream. Whilst still at an early stage, it’s a reality that’s playing out in the form of new market disruptors, more competitive tariffs, and greater choice for buyers. If you still depend on fossil fuels, you only need to take a glance at your recent energy bills to see why this is overdue. There’s no shortage of choice in renewables, and electricity from solar power is one of the most exciting, fast-growing sources of truly zero-carbon energy.
However, in a country that is famed for its cloud cover, can businesses really expect it to deliver our growing demand for electricity?
Read on to learn about the state of solar PV in the UK, how we can expect it to grow, and what you need to know if you’re thinking about installing Solar PV.
The state of solar PV technology– key facts and figures
By 2035, as part of the British Energy Security Strategy, the UK government is aiming for the country to completely decarbonise its electricity systems.
If achieved, it would be a remarkable milestone, given that just 2% of our energy was generated by renewable sources in 1991, and this was less than 15% as recently as 2014.
Solar PV is expected to play a significant part in this. At the end of 2022, solar contributed 4.4% of the UK’s total electricity (versus 26% by wind, and 5.2% by biomass).
By 2035, solar electricity generation is expected to increase fivefold – from 14GW to 70GW. For Chris Hewitt, head of the UK’s leading solar industry body, Solar Energy UK, “[solar] could claim to be one of the UK’s fastest growing industries”.
However, the excitement isn’t in the statistics – it’s in what it means for those who adopt it.
What can we expect from solar PV technology in the coming years?
The rapid development of technology is making solar PV easier to install, less expensive and more applicable to more industries – meaning that we’ll start to see PV panels in far more places than we do currently. The key takeaways are:
- Solar will become more affordable than ever before – in fact, the price of installing solar has decreased by 85% in the last 10 years.
- It will be used even more widely than it currently is – better technology hasn’t just made solar PV panels more efficient, it has also expanded the number of use cases. For example, flexible panels are expected to be able to provide coatings for building exteriors and vehicles, whilst vertically-designed arrays are helping maximise land usage and energy generation in agriculture.
- It will become even quicker to install – currently, it’s estimated that solar can be installed on a domestic roof in less than a single day.
That being said, for businesses to reap the benefits of solar PV, they’ll also have to learn how to navigate its challenges.
One of the biggest may be in responsibly disposing of solar panel waste – where older models (after a 20-30 year lifespan) need to be recycled for valuable components (silicon, copper and silver) with minimal waste left behind.
However, the biggest and most critical decision businesses will face is which partner to choose.
Why Innasol Solar PV?
Whilst you might be able to install solar panels quicker than ever before, solar PV panels will only be cost-effective if they’re effective.
If they’re not designed with your business’ exact energy demands, building layout or local climate conditions in mind, you won’t see the fullest benefit – which could involve a return on your investment in as little as 3.5 years.
If it’s almost right, it’s not right. That’s why Innasol’s design-led approach and meticulous planning prior to installation ensure that, once installed, your solar PV technology will perform to its highest efficiency.
With a network of certified partner installers and Innasol’s longstanding relationships with manufacturers and suppliers, you will also have privileged access to cutting-edge solar PV technology. Moreover, the small project team brings experience, personal service and, critically, low overheads.
There’s never been a better time to secure your business’ own source of energy, and if you would like to make solar the centre of your business’ sustainability and energy security strategy, call us at 01621 892613 or contact us.
Solar PV – frequently asked questions
Solar PV panels convert sunlight into electrical energy from sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells, hence ‘PV’. This is different to solar ‘thermal’ panels, which use heat energy from the sun to heat water stored in a tank.
In simple terms, solar PV works as follows: the photovoltaic solar panels installed on your premises absorb energy from sunlight. This solar energy is converted into a direct current (D/C), which is passed through an inverter, which puts out a usable alternating current (A/C) for your facility. The more sunlight the panels receive, the more effective they are – but this technology still works well on a cloudy day.
Solar PV costs vary depending on a number of factors. These can include the size of the installation, the type of PV panel used, and any installation-related costs as well. However, as Innasol’s project team maintains longstanding relationships with manufacturers and suppliers, as well as a network of certified partner installers, overheads and project costs remain low.
Solar PV is the most cost-effective source of energy per kWh. Not only does Innasol’s design-led installation ensure that your panels will perform to their maximum efficiency (with your business’ energy usage in mind), but as soon as they are “plugged in”, they’ll generate usable electricity. Solar PV will provide a return on investment, our team will be transparent in the ROI period to expect.
As one of Europe’s leading renewable energy companies, with a project team whose experience spans decades, we have longstanding relationships with a network of trusted partners. If you are keen to join us as a certified partner, please see our partners page for more information or contact us.
Innasol is ideal for solar PV because of our design-led approach and meticulous planning before installation. This ensures that your solar PV technology performs at its highest efficiency, potentially providing a return on investment in as little as 3.5 years. Innasol has a network of certified partner installers and strong relationships with manufacturers and suppliers, granting access to cutting-edge solar PV technology. Our project team offers experience, personalised service, and low overheads, making it an excellent partner for your business’s sustainability and energy security strategy.
The future of solar PV holds great promise. Advancements in technology are making solar PV more affordable than ever before, with installation costs decreasing by 85% in the last decade. Solar PV will be used more widely, including applications like flexible panels for building exteriors and vehicles and vertically-designed arrays for agriculture. Installation will become quicker, with domestic roof installations estimated to take less than a day. These developments make solar PV an attractive choice for businesses and individuals looking to harness renewable energy.
Yes, solar PV systems can be ground-mounted. Ground-mounted photovoltaic systems involve installing solar panels on the ground rather than on rooftops. This approach is often used in large-scale solar installations, such as solar farms or commercial projects, where there is ample open space. Ground-mounted systems are designed to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity efficiently.
Photovoltaic (PV) systems can generate electricity from sunlight (even on cloudy days), reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering energy costs. PV systems are generally environmentally friendly and produce no greenhouse gas emissions when operating. They are scalable, making them suitable for residential homes, commercial buildings, and large-scale operations. Solar PV systems can provide a reliable, clean, renewable energy source when correctly designed, installed and maintained. Always refer to a qualified installer to survey your building and energy needs.
Integrating solar PV systems into your electric power supply involves installing PV modules on your property and connecting them to your electrical system. The PV modules generate direct current (DC) electricity, which is converted into alternating (AC) electricity using an inverter. This AC electricity can be used to power your home or business. Excess electricity generated by the PV system can be fed back into the grid or stored for later use, depending on your setup and local regulations.
