What’s on the Horizon for Commercial Solar? Three New Trends Around the Corner

Maybe you’ve heard the news that some of the biggest corporations in the world are making strides toward solar. Or, perhaps you’ve read the reports that solar power offsets 76 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year and you want your company to get on board with this eco-conscious initiative.

Regardless of your reason for wanting to learn more about the commercial solar sector, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re taking a deep dive into this rapidly expanding industry and exploring three recent trends destined to change its shape moving forward.

1. Solar Windows Maximize Power Capture

Traditionally, solar power is captured via photovoltaic rooftop panels that absorb sunlight and convert it into energy to power internal systems.

While these panels have recently undergone transformations to be as sleek and discreet as possible, with some customizable solutions recently hitting the market, a new mechanism is on the horizon that could change the concept of “office with a view” forever.

Solar windows are panes that can be adjusted to retrofit any size of a window, meaning that homeowners can use them on their cottages as easily as corporations can install them in their high-rises. These can help business leaders reduce their fossil fuel dependency and offset some of their energy costs away from the grid toward a more renewable alternative.

The science behind this innovation lies in organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology, which allows developers to create transparent windows that also act as electricity generators. On the fence about its viability? Engineers claim the installation of a single solar window equals the avoidance of 2.2 million miles of vehicle pollution and reduces carbon dioxide emissions at the same rate as planting 770 acres of woodlands.

2. Solar Vehicles

In 2013, Australia introduced a solar-powered bus, named Tindo. Since then, the transportation industry has made impressive progress toward accommodating solar power technology. One area in which this approach is rapidly gaining traction is the aviation industry.

Modern models and prototypes, including the Swiss long-range aircraft model known as Solar Impulse 2, experiment with using renewable solar power in lieu of traditional fossil fuels. The latter project proved to be massively successful, circumnavigating the globe via the assistance of more than 17,000 photovoltaic cells that help keep its solar batteries charged. The result? An aircraft that can stay in the air for days without having to refuel.

As the commercial airline industry both at home and abroad continues to look into these developments, expect to see an even deeper conversation take place around smaller-scale implementations including solar-powered cars and bus fleets.

3.  Solar Lighting Innovation

You may have heard of the myriad commercial-grade solar lighting systems available on the market. A valuable alternative to AC-powered lighting available on the grid, these solutions have helped companies around the globe recognize cost and energy savings alike.

More recently, engineers have taken steps to take this approach to a more wide-scale level. Most specifically, they’re looking to change the way outdoor signage is illuminated via applications including high-powered solar spotlights. Featuring a high-lumen output while also remaining waterproof and heatproof, these lighting solutions are designed to automatically turn on and off as the sun sets and rises.

Rather than pay a costly power bill to keep the interior and exterior lighting on at all hours of the night for productivity or security reasons, future-focused business leaders can research these energy-efficient lighting alternatives.

Implementing these Commercial Solar Innovations

While the progress being made in the commercial solar realm is promising and only set to sophisticate as research and development efforts progress, it’s important for business leaders to vet each option carefully. Considerations including overall budget, long-term goals, and current sustainability efforts should be weighed before any implementation begins.

Moving forward, successful corporate leaders will be those who partner with the right energy resources to help steer their companies into an energy-smart future. For a clearer look into how these technologies can help improve operations, take a look at our building management services today.