At Greenleaf Solar, we take pride in helping our customers save money on their energy bill and doing their part to help our planet. We’re also proud of the fact that the solar energy revolution is just beginning. We know that better technology will lead to more savings and an increase in energy efficiency. That’s one of the reasons we’re constantly keeping our ears to the ground about new technology related to solar panels.
Greenleaf Uses Cutting Edge Technology to Save on Energy
Because we know that the best way for our customers to save money is to use the best emerging technology, Greenleaf Solar wants you to know about the latest developments in solar power technology so you can see how solar panels continue to make a difference in providing more efficient energy. We don’t know when some of these technological advances will be ready but we want to give you a glimpse into the future.
New Challenges in Solar Energy
The US Energy Department recently announced that we’ve achieved national goals on reducing solar costs that were meant to be reached by 2020. This gives us an opportunity to create even more ambitious goals.
“With the impressive decline in solar prices, it is time to address additional emerging challenges,” Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Daniel Simmons said.
The government has now set up research and development. They have allocated $62 million to support Concentrating Solar Power (CSP). According to the Washington Post, most of the solar energy generated in the U.S. comes from photovoltaic solar (PV) panels which convert sunlight into electricity. CSP, also called thermal solar, uses mirrors to direct sunlight into troughs or towers that convert the energy into heat. The heat, in turn, boils water, which powers a steam generator. The ability to store this energy while the sun is not shining makes this an important emerging technology.
The Energy Department is also setting aside $20 million to advance power electric technologies. These technologies are an important link between PV arrays and the nation’s power grid.
Where the Rubber Meets the Solar Panel
Some other interesting solar related technologies have recently been in the news. One of them is the idea of solar-powered roads. According to National Geographic, a pair of entrepreneurs who’ve engineered solar panels that can be driven on are adding a new twist to their work. Their panels contain solar cells, LED lights and heating elements.
They’ve installed some panels already with plans to install more in Colorado and Maryland in the coming months. They’re also working on a way to use their technology to guide driver-less cars. These cars are currently guided by GPS satellites, but the solar plates in the road operate from fixed locations. This means they could have the ability to be a more accurate guidance system.
Let Greenleaf Solar Power Your Home and Business
While these emerging technologies may not be available for your use right away, Greenleaf can help you save money for your home or business and even eliminate your monthly electric bill to find out the benefits of solar power, contact us today.