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### The Role of Solar in Supporting a Resilient Energy Grid
As energy demands surge from data centers, electric vehicles (EVs), and the rapid adoption of AI technologies, the U.S. energy grid is under significant strain. In this dynamic shift, renewable energy solutions like solar are stepping up as essential pillars to a more resilient and decentralized energy landscape. Solar energy, whether through individual solar panels for your home or broader solar arrays for home-use microgrids, plays a pivotal role in this transformation.
#### A Strained Energy Grid Meets Emerging Technologies
The sharp rise in energy-intensive activities—like powering AI-driven data centers and enabling EV infrastructure—has placed tremendous pressure on already outdated electrical grids. Data centers alone are projected to consume 8% of the U.S.’s total energy by 2030, up from just 3% in 2022. Meanwhile, the exploding popularity of EVs in high-density urban areas like Los Angeles and the Bay Area has introduced complex distribution demands on local grids.
At the same time, the growing unpredictability of climate-related events has exposed vulnerabilities in our centralized energy systems. Strengthening the grid requires more than simply boosting capacity—it demands innovative solutions to handle fluctuating power needs while
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/11/27/the-great-grid-transition-in-the-age-of-data-centers-and-evs/
