Homeowners have more options for adopting solar than ever before. Current tax credits and incentives are making it increasingly affordable, and new technologies mean you may not need a huge rooftop array to keep the lights on. Here are a few of the most innovative technologies to keep an eye on in 2024.
Tesla Batteries
Having battery backup is convenient and can further reduce your operating costs. Luckily, solar battery technology has improved drastically over the past several years. Lithium batteries are not only readily available, but they are also more affordable than ever. So, whether you want to be completely energy independent, or you simply want a reliable backup system, consider options like a Tesla Powerwall installation to supply clean power to your home even when the sun is not out.
Solar Building Materials
Whether you are building a new home or upgrading your current one, there are some really innovative materials designed around solar power that are worth a second look. They can help you integrate solar into the overall home design to maximize system capacity and efficiency. These technologies are also an important solution for homeowners who do not have the roof or ground space for a traditional solar panel installation.
Paint
Imagine your home’s exterior generating solar with the walls themselves. That’s the goal behind solar paint. It applies like traditional paint, but it contains tiny photovoltaic cells that produce power. In all fairness, solar paint isn’t commercially available yet, but it is something on the horizon that you want to keep an eye on.
Shingles
Solar roofs use specialized solar panels that make up the watertight roofing material. They look similar to a traditional roof and remove many of the issues homeowners face with a bulky panel install. These have been available for several years and are becoming increasingly popular as more people look to switch their homes to solar power.
Windows
Imagine looking through your window while it generates power for your home. That’s the idea behind solar windows. They use miniature solar cells to generate power through transparent panels. These are installed in place of traditional glass windows. While solar windows have been around for about a decade, they are now becoming commercially available.
Solar Air Conditioning
Although you can run an air conditioner on a standard household current through an inverter, several companies have brought a new approach to effectively cooling your home. Solar air conditioners use DC to run directly from panels. This increases their efficiency. In places with hot days and cool nights, this means you can run an A/C all day without requiring additional equipment.
Florida
If you are in Florida, you can take full advantage of many of these technologies. Long days all year allow you to maximize the amount of solar energy collected, which allows you to get the most benefit possible. It also means you have less dependence on storage, so you can often use a smaller battery system for night and cloudy days. No matter what type of technology you decide to adopt, it is important to work with an experienced and qualified company for your solar panel installation.
