It is predicted that the use of solar energy will continue to increase
within the energy sector.
The world is looking towards renewable energy sources in order to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change worldwide. Solar power is expected to become one of the most important sources of renewable energy throughout the world and will integrate itself into a variety of different areas, including homes, businesses, and organisations.
In this article we will look at how solar energy will be integrated into our lives in order to become a main source of energy for the future.
- Accessibility and Affordability
As solar energy technology advances, certain technologies, such as solar panels, become cheaper. Meaning that they are more accessible and affordable to a wider range of people, including both individuals and businesses. As the UK moves towards its transition to clean energy, this affordable technology will be an important factor towards increasing the UK’s use of clean energy.
In developing countries, the use of solar energy is set to increase significantly, due to these advancements. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), over the next 10 years, solar energy will be one of the most important sources of energy for those in developing countries.
As technology becomes cheaper, those in developing countries should be able to access this technology much more easily. Which will increase the amount of electricity generated that they could benefit from. Making it easier for those in developing countries to take advantage of renewable energy sources, will also reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. Whilst allowing them to generate clean, sustainable, and cheaper energy for years to come.
- New Building Technology
Advancements in technology are allowing the way buildings are built to take advantage of solar power. Currently, in the UK, over 1.3 million homes have solar panels, and more and more businesses are opting for solar panels too.
Technology is advancing and allowing us to incorporate electricity generation through solar energy within different parts of our homes and workplaces, in a variety of different ways.
For example, solar shingles. Solar shingles are solar panels that are made to look like the tiles on your roof. These will encourage those that see solar panel installations as an eyesore to reconsider, as they will blend in with the original roof structure.
Homes and workplaces will also be able to opt for specialised windows. These solar glass windows are used instead of ordinary glass windows to allow light to pass and electricity to be generated.
- Commercial and Industry Benefits
The commercial and industry sectors are looking at ways to make the running of their operations efficient and cost-effective. Solar energy will play an important role in this, through solar thermal technology, solar batteries, and solar steam generation.
Solar thermal technology allows places of work to heat up water to be used throughout the business’s operations. This means that businesses, that require water to be heated, can take advantage of the clean and renewable energy source for a large proportion of their operations.
Solar batteries will help businesses of all sizes take advantage of solar energy, as any excess energy generated can be stored and used at a later time.
Solar steam generation is set to become important for businesses that use steam production to carry out their operations. This technology allows steam to be produced without the burning of fossil fuels.
Each of these technologies, if incorporated into a business’s operations will allow them to benefit from clean and renewable energy for many years to come.
- Transportation Benefits
Solar energy is becoming incredibly important in the transportation sector, as there are already advancements occurring within this sector. The UK Government has set a target to reach zero emission cars and vans on the road by 2035. Solar energy can play an incredibly important role in helping the UK to reach this zero emissions target, as solar panels can be integrated onto electric vehicles in order to charge them using solar power.
There are also advancements for transportation infrastructure, as many of these can also be run on solar energy, including streetlights, parking meters, and traffic lights.
All of these technological advancements, if integrated into the UK and worldwide, will help to increase the future use of solar energy.
These four reasons that show how solar energy use will be used in the future are only scratching the surface. As technology advances, more opportunities will arise for both households and businesses around the world to take advantage of this clean and renewable energy source.
