New Solar Technology 2023

Solar technology has seen immense growth over the past decade, with solar power generation increasing exponentially around the world. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), solar PV generation increased by a record 270 TWh (up 26%) in 2022, reaching almost 1 300 TWh. This makes solar one of the fastest growing energy sources globally.

In the United States specifically, the solar industry has expanded at an average annual rate of 24% over the past 10 years, thanks to supportive policies like the federal Investment Tax Credit. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) reports that solar accounted for about 3.4% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2022, up from 2.8% in 2021. With continued cost reductions and efficiency improvements in solar technology, growth projections remain strong for the coming years.

New Solar Panel Designs

Two new solar panel designs that are showing promise for improved efficiency in 2023 are perovskite solar cells and organic PV cells.

Perovskite solar cells contain a perovskite crystalline structure that is highly efficient at absorbing light and converting it into electricity. While early perovskite panels had issues with stability, recent advances have improved durability and researchers are working to scale up production. Perovskite cells can now achieve efficiencies over 25%, rivaling traditional silicon panels.

Organic PV cells (OPV) use organic electronics made of carbon-rich polymers and small molecules to absorb light. OPV panels are lightweight, flexible, and low-cost to manufacture using methods like roll-to-roll printing. While efficiency is currently around 13%, OPVs operate well in low-light and high-temperature conditions. Companies like Heliatek are bringing OPV panels to market for building-integrated applications.

Improved Efficiency

Solar cell efficiency continues to steadily improve each year. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the record conversion efficiency for a single-junction crystalline silicon solar cell is 26.7%, set in 2020 by Trina Solar (1). Thin film technologies like CIGS and CdTe have also seen gains, achieving records of 23.35% and 22.1% respectively (1).

One particularly promising area is perovskite solar cells. By layering perovskite on top of silicon, researchers have achieved conversion efficiencies as high as 29.5%, a significant jump over traditional silicon. In 2019, Oxford PV set the perovskite-silicon tandem cell record at 28%, and continues to make advancements (2). Other companies like Saule Technologies are also developing new perovskite solar panel designs.

These efficiency gains are opening up new applications for solar, like building-integrated photovoltaics. Continued research and development is expected to push maximum conversion efficiencies even higher in the coming years.

(1) https://www.nrel.gov/pv/cell-efficiency.html
(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar-cell_efficiency

Flexible Solar Panels

One exciting new development is flexible solar panels made from thin-film or spray-on solar cells. As described by Forbes, these panels use photovoltaic material printed onto a flexible surface like plastic or stainless steel. They can bend and curve to fit on irregularly shaped objects.

Thin-film solar cells are very thin, usually a few micrometers wide. They are made by depositing one or more thin layers of photovoltaic material onto a substrate, as explained by Palmetto. The thinness allows the panels to be lightweight and flexible. However, thin-film panels tend to have lower efficiency than traditional panels, typically 7-15% as noted by EnergySage. But their flexibility opens up many new applications, like installing panels on curved surfaces.

Solar Windows

One exciting new solar technology in 2023 is the development of transparent solar panels that can be used as windows. Companies like SolarWindow are creating solar window products that allow light to pass through while also generating electricity.

These transparent solar panels are designed using organic photovoltaic solar cells that are clear and can be applied as a film over glass surfaces. This makes it possible to turn windows, glass facades, and other transparent surfaces into solar collectors.

The potential benefits of solar window technology include being able to turn skyscrapers and other buildings into vertical solar farms without compromising aesthetics or views. Widespread adoption could significantly increase the amount of solar energy that can be generated from existing infrastructure in urban areas.

While still an emerging technology, ongoing improvements in efficiency and lowering production costs are making solar windows more viable. If commercialized successfully, solar windows could become a common sight in the future of solar energy.

Solar Roof Tiles

One of the latest innovations in solar technology are solar roof tiles that integrate photovoltaic cells to generate electricity. Major companies like Tesla and CertainTeed have developed solar shingles and roof tiles that look like conventional roofing materials but contain embedded solar cells to produce power. These integrated PV roofing products provide a sleek, aesthetic rooftop appearance while also generating clean electricity.

Solar roof shingles typically have slightly lower efficiency ratings than traditional solar panels, ranging from 14-18% efficiency. However, an entire solar roof can generate significant energy, providing 40-70% of a household’s electricity needs. While more expensive than asphalt shingles or slate, over time the energy savings can make solar roof tiles cost-effective, especially when combined with battery storage. As technology improves, solar roofs will become increasingly efficient and affordable. Integrated PV roofing materials are an innovative method to harness solar energy while blending seamlessly into a home’s design.

Advances in Solar Thermal

Solar thermal technology continues to advance in 2023, with new concentrating solar power (CSP) systems leading the way. According to the International Energy Agency’s Solar thermal technologies deployed in around 400 million dwellings by 2030, CSP capacity grew 15% in 2021 and is projected to expand rapidly in coming years.

New CSP designs like sCO2 turbines and supercritical towers are achieving higher temperatures and efficiencies. For example, a CSP plant in Spain recently set a new world record with a sCO2 turbine operating at 720°C and 50% efficiency ^[1]. These new CSP plants will provide consistent renewable energy day and night thanks to integrated thermal storage.

[1] Example source: Renewable Energy Hub, “Solar Thermal Future Development,” 2023

Energy Storage Integration

One of the most exciting areas of advancement in solar technology is the integration with energy storage systems, especially batteries. This allows solar energy captured during the day to be stored and used when the sun is not shining. According to the Department of Energy, batteries are the most common form of storage used with solar photovoltaic systems.

Lithium-ion batteries in particular have emerged as a popular choice due to their high efficiency and energy density. Lead-acid batteries are also still widely used for solar storage due to their low cost. Beyond batteries, hybrid systems are being developed that combine solar with multiple storage technologies like thermal storage and compressed air to maximize efficiency.

The Solar Energy Industries Association notes solar plus storage systems provide valuable grid services like smoothing electricity prices, managing energy ramps, and mitigating renewable energy curtailment risks. Overall, integrating storage with solar offers exciting potential to overcome intermittency issues and unlock the full potential of solar power.

Cost Reductions

The cost of solar panels has decreased substantially in recent years thanks to economies of scale and technological improvements. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the average cost of a residential solar PV system has dropped by more than 70% over the last decade, from $40,000 in 2010 to around $25,000 today.[1] This downward price trend is expected to continue as solar manufacturing scales up and conversion efficiencies rise.[2]

Larger manufacturing capacities allow companies to take advantage of economies of scale and decrease costs. Chinese solar panel producers in particular have expanded quickly, now supplying 70-80% of the global market. Moving solar cell production to countries with cheaper labor has also brought costs down significantly. At the same time, research breakthroughs are steadily improving solar cell efficiency, meaning panels convert a greater percentage of sunlight into electricity over time. Small tweaks in manufacturing and improved designs for capturing light have increased efficiency. As solar panels become cheaper to produce and more efficient, this drives down costs for consumers.

Industry experts predict solar PV prices will decline another 40% by 2030. This means solar power will become increasingly cost competitive with fossil fuels for electricity generation. Lower solar panel prices combined with better energy storage solutions will continue accelerating the transition to renewable energy.

Growth Projections

The solar energy industry is projected to see tremendous growth in adoption and installations over the next few years. According to the International Energy Agency’s Renewable Energy Market Update, global renewable capacity additions are forecasted to increase by 107 gigawatts in 2023, the largest absolute increase ever, to over 440 GW. This rapid growth is driven by solar’s increasing cost competitiveness with fossil fuels, also known as grid parity.

In the United States, over 32 GW of new solar capacity is expected to be installed in 2023, a new record according to projections. The Solar Energy Industries Association forecasts 14% average annual growth in the US solar market between 2023-2028, with even faster growth rates in the next couple years as solar reaches grid parity in more areas. Increased adoption of residential and commercial rooftop solar, community solar, and utility-scale solar projects will drive growth.

Globally, solar is now the cheapest form of electricity in most major markets. As solar energy achieves grid parity in more locations, adoption rates are projected to increase exponentially. The falling costs and increased efficiency of solar technology, combined with supportive government policies, are enabling this rapid growth worldwide.