{"id":21864,"date":"2019-03-21T05:00:45","date_gmt":"2019-03-21T12:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/?p=21864"},"modified":"2026-02-22T15:43:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T23:43:08","slug":"under-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/under-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Under the Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

Solar energy technology is becoming more powerful and versatile than ever. That\u2019s a good sign for property owners seeking cost and sustainability benefits. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, enough solar photovoltaic capacity\u2014created when semiconducting materials convert sunlight into electricity\u2014was installed in the U.S. in 2018 to power 12.3 million homes, and total installed capacity is expected to more than double over the next five years.\"solar<\/p>\n

A recent milestone in solar energy development was San Jose, Calif.-based SunPower\u2019s development of the world\u2019s most powerful solar cells for the residential market. They\u2019re capable of delivering 60% more energy than conventional solar panels over 25 years using the same amount of roof space. That might be of particular interest to residents of the manufacturer\u2019s home state, which in 2018 became the first to require that all new homes have solar power.<\/p>\n

In another significant breakthrough on the residential front, engineers at Belgian university KU Leuven have created a solar panel prototype capable of converting sunlight directly into hydrogen using moisture in the air. This would give households their own greenhouse gas-free source of fuel for cooking, heating and other activities. They wouldn\u2019t have to rely on industrial-scale production of hydrogen gas, which generates greenhouse emissions. The technology remains under development and it\u2019s unclear when it will be brought to market.<\/p>\n

Other developers are working on harnessing solar energy to melt snow on roads during the day and light them at night, power home window curtains and warm car seats. Additional projects encompass everything from battery storage enhancements to aesthetic matters like customizing cells to blend into a roof\u2019s design.<\/p>\n

Energy Sage, a service that connects homeowners with solar equipment installers, says, \u201cFor those considering solar panels systems, this long list of solar panel technology\u00a0innovations from recent years is nothing but good news. Efficiency upgrades, storage improvements and equipment capabilities all contribute to more efficient power output for solar panels and lower costs for systems.\u201d<\/p>\n

Benefits of solar power for residences include:<\/p>\n