Many solar industry professionals with over ten years of experience have seen massive technology changes over the last decade. As many systems are now reaching tenure, we have a unique opportunity to look back at these older technologies and see how far we have come. Here are Gordian Energy’s Top Five Technology Changes over the last decade.
#5: Storage
Storage technologies have allowed us to offset peak hour demand and will be a driving force in the industry’s continued innovation.
#4: Community Solar Gardens
Adaptation to different markets’ ability to support NET Metering and customer-owned generation infrastructure has shaped legislation around the country. This delivers an ever-expanding opportunity to reach more customers with renewable technology options.
#3: DC System Voltages (600 volt to 1500 volt)
Our industry has supplied the greatest number of significant changes to the National Electric Code in a decade. Our innovation in using higher DC voltages to increase system performance has had a rippling effect across North America’s entire electrical industry.
#2: Inverters:
From central, string, and micro-inverters. Advancements in inverter technologies have allowed us to value engineer systems and increase system efficiencies.
#1: Modules:
Increases in wattage and global manufacturing have been the driving force in revolutionizing the industry. Experimentation with a thin film, cylindrical, and bifacial technologies, as well as advancements in material sciences, have allowed the industry almost to double our outputs.