Americans won't soon forget the shocking images of Texas communities held hostage by extreme weather and a failed power grid that left millions without power in February 2021. The crisis drove home many lessons, not least of which was that when the fundamental needs of a home—such as heat and power—are challenged by unanticipated changes, it's time to explore alternative energy options. Solar energy is one of the options on people's minds.
A recent Forbes survey found that around half of homeowner respondents plan to install solar panels in the future. Although the upfront costs of installing solar panels are a predominant concern for homeowners, many people don't fully understand how innovations in energy research and efficient solar forecasting positively impact a community.
By understanding the collaboration between local utility services and solar-powered homes, the technology that maintains a constant power source and the human elements that influence solar forecasting, homeowners can make informed decisions about solar energy with realistic expectations. As the CEO of a residential solar company, I have the experience and expertise to help explain how.
It's Not a Power Grab: It's a Power Grid
Most consumers fear their home's energy output relies entirely on the success of their own solar panels. On the other hand, other solar panel users believe this is their first step toward going "off the grid." Both miss the mark.
As solar energy technology evolves, so does its relationship to a city's power grid and the utility company that operates it. Most solar energy programs are built around a net metering program. This means when homeowners generate electricity, the unused power transfers to the area's power grid. This metering system creates a seamless distribution of power to households despite varying energy consumption levels.
In addition to distributing excess energy to a centralized power grid, which balances fluctuations in energy consumption, customers can also sustain a local energy source within their homes. In the event of a power outage, customers can use their onsite battery to eliminate any interruptions in power.
Solar energy is a reliable power source that, when efficiently harnessed, can withstand unexpected surges, level out spikes in consumption and create an equitable and economical distribution of power throughout a region. The more homeowners who participate in a solar energy grid system, the better utility companies can forecast increases in energy consumption and the less we'll rely on fossil fuels to operate our homes.
According to Ecowatch's study, the world only needs 50% of the world's rooftops to be covered with solar panels to deliver enough electricity to meet the world's yearly needs.
Human Factors That Impact Solar Forecasting
Rapid changes in global lifestyles and climate change initiatives will impact the need for power on a grand scale. As technology advances to help make solar energy a viable option for homeowners, operators in solar forecasting must acknowledge three key lifestyle changes that will undoubtedly affect seamless access to power.
Remote Workforce
Studies show that almost 5 million people now use their homes as office space for at least some period of their work week. That means a home that was typically quiet during the day due to work or school is now potentially consuming larger amounts of energy 24/7. One study projects that 25% of all jobs in North America will be remote by the end of 2022.
Electric Cars
If we look at the solar energy panels market in California, the hopes to offset costs as an incentive to install them are minuscule due to tax hikes and high fees. So what's driving a growing solar panel market? Electric vehicles.
According to Reuters, electric vehicle sales could reach 33% globally by 2028 and 54% by 2035 as demand accelerates in most major markets. Naturally, consumers will recharge their cars at home.
"EVs [electric vehicles] are a great segue into solar and other sustainable technologies," says Douglas Alfaro, GM of North America for a charging and energy management solutions provider. "The value of solar dramatically increases when you are able to charge your EV with it and maximize your consumption."
The Housing Market
Although the housing market shows signs of slowing due to supply costs, rising mortgage rates, and inflation concerns, people are still building homes in newly developed areas that have not upgraded their infrastructure to accommodate the growth. And many of them are equipped with solar panels.
The Solar Energy Industries Association reports that solar energy accounted for 39% of all new electricity-generating capacity added in the U.S. in the half of 2022, with residential solar seeing its largest quarter ever with 1.36 GWdc installed—a 37% increase year-over-year! This growth is an incentive for city and state utility companies to learn more about these emerging energy sources and be proactive in providing services that work with solar technologies to serve their customers better.
As more Americans take ownership of climate change initiatives, solar energy is quickly shedding light on ways to produce renewable energy while helping mitigate climate change. A partnership with the solar energy industry and local governments is critical.
As cities explore innovations in solar energy production, storage and distribution, they are also working with the solar energy industry to improve forecasting techniques, such as changing customer lifestyle habits, embracing new technologies and growing infrastructures to enhance services to customers while strengthening sustainability in our environment.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
