How the US Solar Industry Has Transformed: Key Changes and Top Technological Advancements
The solar industry has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades. From its early days when every proposal and design was painstakingly crafted on Excel spreadsheets, to today's sophisticated software tools, the industry has seen leaps and bounds in both technology and accessibility. This evolution has made solar energy more efficient and significantly reduced costs, making it more accessible to a broader audience.
From Spreadsheets to Sophisticated Software
Eighteen years ago, the solar industry was a different world. As Shane Messer, Chief Commercial Officer at ARKA 360, recalls, “There were no proposal tools. No matter what their focus was, every single EPC/installer did everything through an Excel spreadsheet.” This manual process was time-consuming and prone to errors, limiting the potential for widespread adoption of solar energy.
Fast forward to today, and the scenario has completely changed. The introduction of specialized software tools has revolutionized how solar projects are proposed, designed, and executed. Siddharth, Founder and CEO of ARKA 360, highlights this shift: “I wanted to solve the problem of proposals and making accurate and conversion-optimized proposals.” His journey from starting Solar Labs right out of college to being acquired by ARKA 360 exemplifies the industry’s evolution toward efficiency and precision.
Significant Advancements in Technology
The advancements in solar technology over the years have been nothing short of remarkable. In the early 2000s, the cost of solar modules was prohibitively high, with residential installations costing well over $8 per watt. Today, those costs have plummeted, making solar a viable option for homeowners and businesses alike.
But it’s not just the cost that has changed. The technology itself has seen significant improvements. “The modules themselves, the cells have improved,” Shane notes. “Manufacturers have figured out how to tweak the cell to get more power out of it, reducing dead space and increasing cell coverage inside a module.” These innovations have led to more powerful and efficient solar panels, capable of generating more energy from the same amount of sunlight.
Ease of Installation and Permitting
Another major area of improvement has been in the installation process. In the past, solar installers had to rely on cumbersome tools like the "solar eye" for shading analysis. Today, this process is much simpler and more accurate, thanks to advanced software that can model shading and other factors without the need for physical tools.
Permitting has also become more streamlined. Shane points out, “The ability to get permits faster has improved significantly. Most states have started to adopt more technologically advanced permitting.” This has reduced the time and effort required to get solar projects off the ground, further accelerating the adoption of solar energy.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, the continued evolution of solar technology and processes will play a crucial role in the transition to renewable energy. The lessons learned over the past 18 years have laid a strong foundation for further innovation and growth in the industry.
The journey from manual spreadsheets to advanced software, from expensive modules to cost-effective solutions, is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of those in the solar industry.
As Shane and Siddharth’s experiences show, the solar industry is not just about technology; it’s about solving problems, improving processes, and ultimately, making the world a better place through renewable energy tools today.