Enough energy to power 10,000 Earths, every day—according to MIT, that’s how much power our Sun produces. We’re only capturing a tiny fraction of that energy now, and it’s been prohibitively expensive in the past.
But that’s changing, quickly, and for several good reasons.
The energy the Sun produces is also completely renewable. This massive amount of untapped energy will continue to grace the Earth until the Sun reaches the end of its life, several billions of years from now. So, it’s safe to say there’s more than enough energy for a long, long, long time.
Changes You’re Seeing Now in Commercial Construction
We’re witnessing an industry shift as energy demands increase and the Sun’s tremendous amount of free energy continues to elude us. A shift in focus toward capturing more solar energy is creating amazing new products.
The commercial construction sector is also going through a significant shift towards sustainability. We’ve seen this indicated by a growing emphasis on renewable energy and what’s known as “green building.”
With organizations like the U.S. Green Building Council and their LEED program, professionals across our industry use these building specifications for many new facilities. They support our overall drive to create more efficient buildings that focus on sustainability and lower environmental impacts.
As a result, the popularity of solar roofing technology is on the rise. Let’s look into the latest advancements in solar roofing technology and commercial buildings.
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)
One more obvious advancement in solar capturing tech is BIPV or Building-Integrated Photovoltaics. BIPV panels replace conventional roofs instead of being part of or attaching to a roof. They can be applied to various roof slopes as well, like pitched, flat, or curved roofs.
There are many advantages to using BIPV panels. First, they eliminate the need for a separate roof system, reducing overall construction costs. Second, BIPV panels offer surprisingly strong weatherproofing and contribute to improved building insulation. This can reduce cooling and heating needs while capturing energy.
Smart Monitoring Systems
Modern solar roofing systems extend beyond just generating electricity. They are equipped with sophisticated, intelligent monitoring systems that provide real-time data on energy production, system health, and any issues.
This allows building managers to monitor the efficiency of the solar panels, and optimize energy consumption. It also helps identify potential problems before they escalate, preventing costly downtime and ensuring optimal system performance.
Other Advancements in Solar Roofing Technology
Listed below are some additional advancements pushing the boundaries of what is possible in solar roofing:
Bifacial Solar Panels
As the name suggests, bifacial solar panels produce power from both sides of the panels. Bifacial solar panels are installed on a highly reflective surface and can increase production by up to 30% just from the extra surface area.
Products like the Powershingle roof we offer give clients the chance to use this cutting-edge technology right here, on their own projects.
Transparent Solar Panels
Transparent solar panels are part of the next generation of solar panels. They can absorb more infrared energy than traditional solar panels. These innovative panels allow for natural light transmission while still generating electricity, which means new design possibilities in terms of roofing. According to reports, transparent solar panels could provide for around 40% of energy demand in the United States.
Perovskite Solar Cells
Perovskite solar cells are a hot new area of research with the potential to revolutionize the energy industry. These lightweight, flexible cells boast impressive efficiency and lower production costs than traditional silicon cells. Due to its wide bandgap, perovskite solar cells guarantee excellent tunability and sunlight conversion to electricity.
The future of solar roofing is bright, with continuous advancements promising even greater efficiency, affordability, and design flexibility. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more exciting developments, making solar a viable energy source.
By embracing solar technology, commercial buildings can become beacons of sustainability while reaping the financial benefits of clean energy generation. That’s another reason we’re proud to be a Butler Builder®.
We’re proud to use innovative Butler Manufacturing™ building systems and components to support your solar efforts. Chapple Design Build is here to help harness the sun’s power for your business.
Contact us today for a consultation and to explore how we can transform your faciilty into a solar powerhouse.
