Hello, fellow solar enthusiasts, it’s such a pleasure to be sharing my insights with you once again. Today, I have decided to look back on the year that was, specifically between the pages of pv magazine USA. We discovered an immense amount of knowledge, and it’s fascinating to see which topics piqued the interest of readers like you. After all, the solar industry is as vibrant and dynamic as ever, and staying up-to-date is crucial not only for us solar experts but also for anyone considering installing solar panels for their home or studying the potential of a solar array for their home.
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane with the top ten most-read articles of 2023.
Unsurprisingly, a hot topic was the longevity of residential solar panels. Many homeowners enter solar-panel contracts that last for two decades or more, causing them to naturally question how long these panels endure. The take-home message here is that panel life is influenced by several factors such as climate, module type, and racking system. Monitoring output levels is the best way to decide whether to keep your panels running in the distant future or to consider an upgrade.
In California, rooftop solar has become a contentious issue. The proposed ruling by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is deemed detrimental for rooftop solar owners in multi-meter properties, creating a situation where solar power generated by such properties is sold back to utility companies at higher rates. This controversial “property seizure” is a key development in the landscape of solar companies in California and could have implications nationwide.
Other major shifts in the solar market also occurred in the Golden State. Two key policy changes resulted in a DROP in compensation rates for exporting local, clean solar generation to the grid by about 75%. The result was a decrease in solar sales between 66% and 83% and the loss of over 17,000 jobs in the solar industry.
Indiana, unfortunately, also experienced a major setback for solar. The elimination of net metering resulted in distributed solar collapsing, followed by a proposed 23% hike in electricity rates.
Curtailment of solar power is also on the rise in California, and the state’s electricity duck curve is deepening. In simpler terms, periods of peak solar output and peak electricity demand don’t coincide, resulting in potential grid stress and market challenges. However, the rise of solar-friendly states combating this issue with energy storage adoption promises a more balanced future.
Residential solar batteries also caught reader attention, with homeowners showing increased interest in energy storage solutions. Just like solar panels, the lifespan of a battery is an often-asked question. Common warranty periods for these products stand at around 10 years, suggesting a replacement may be required within the expected 20-30 year life of a typical solar system.
Looking further afield, international relations also found a place in the top ten. The relationship between US solar and China came into the limelight when a proposed battery factory, involving Ford Motor and China’s CATL, was rejected by Virginia’s governor.
Lastly, readers were keen to learn from the pitfalls of California’s rooftop solar policies and were enchanted by the mysterious, better-than-expected energy yields from vertical photovoltaic systems. This latter topic speaks volumes about the exciting potential of alternative solar setups and how they could revolutionize how we think about residential solar arrays.
As we move forward into 2024, it will be interesting to watch the evolving landscape of solar companies, solar policies, and the continued growth of residential solar. With each passing year, the solar industry offers more exciting technological advancements and possibilities for homeowners. Stay tuned, solar enthusiasts, for another year of discoveries and conversations centered on our favorite subject: solar.
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/01/03/most-read-articles-of-2023-pv-magazine-usa/
