From Printed Tiles to Floating Panels & Battery Storage Competition, Solar is Rapidly Evolving
The solar energy market is heating up with incredible innovation that will ultimately help consumers and ratepayers. Mercedes-Benz will soon compete in the solar battery storage market in California. The state also is at the forefront in U.S. innovation with a proposed plan for floating solar panels that would power more than 1,500 homes annually while saving water. Innovation from across the globe comes from Australia, where they have developed printed solar panels from plastic.
Elon Musk’s Solar Roofs Have Some Serious (and Seriously Cheap) Competition
The University of Newcastle has potentially upended the commercial solar-energy industry: they believe they’ve found a way to 2-d print solar panels using a plastic material commonly found in soda bottles. This recyclable film is expected to be up to 97% cheaper per square meter than competitor Tesla’s roofing units. In addition, the pliability of this material allows for more flexibility when it comes to the actual placement of the panels. While aesthetics is still a roadblock, this invention could change the way every homeowner looks at solar panels.
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Mercedes-Benz and Vivint Solar Partner to Compete with Tesla in Home Energy
California will become the first state in which a Mercedes-Benz/Vivant partnership will bring battery and energy storage systems to homeowners. The project, which is slated to begin Q2, will serve as the first major competitor to the residential power program offered by Tesla. The Mercedes-Benz/Vivant offering includes a solar system paired with batteries, inverter, all tech components, permitting and installation. Mercedes-Benz also plans to go head-to-head with Tesla in the market of electric cars, announcing the release of their own battery-powered cars in 2022.
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Floating Solar Panels Possible Wave of Future
A plan to use floating solar panels at the Olivehain Reservoir near San Diego could produce energy, save and protect the water supply and cut costs simultaneously. The proposed “triple technology threat” plan is the first of its kind and would use floating solar panels to produce 6 megawatts of energy annually, which would power 1,500 houses, all while imposing no burden on ratepayers. In addition to saving water by reducing evaporation, the panels also could potentially reduce water quality issues, such as algae bloom, according to the San Diego County Water Authority. The project, which must be approved, is slated for early 2018.
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