The document summarizes 5 major developments in solar energy technology from 2010 to 2021: 1. Floating solar farms, also called "floatovoltaics", which place solar panels on reservoirs and water bodies for greater efficiency. 2. BIPV solar technology that integrates solar panels into building designs as roofs, walls, and facades rather than adding them as a separate system. 3. Solar skins, a thin film technology that allows custom images to be displayed on solar panels without reducing efficiency. 4. Solar fabric that embeds solar fibers into clothing to generate energy while on the move. 5. Photovoltaic solar noise barriers that combine noise reduction infrastructure with solar energy

1. 5 MAJOR
DEVELOPMENT
S IN THE FIELD
OF SOLAR
ENERGY
TECHNOLOGY
FROM 2010-
2021

2. Introduction
 When most people hear the words ‘solar power’ they instantly think of good
‘ole solar panels on rooftops or in a solar farm in the desert. And with good
reason: traditional utility-scale and rooftop solar panels have dominated the
solar market until this point.
 But there are now several exciting new solar panel technologies either in the
pipeline or already on the market. These promising technologies will
revolutionize the way we think about not just solar, but energy production in
general. Solar no longer requires large parcels of land or roof space, nor does
it need to look boring. Read on to find out more.

3. #1 FLOATING SOLAR FARMS (AKA ‘FLOATOVOLTAICS’)
 Silicon panels are becoming cheaper
and more efficient day-by-
day. According to experts, if
photovoltaic panels are placed on
reservoirs and other water bodies,
they offer even greater efficiency as
well as a plethora of other benefits.
 “Floatovoltaics” are photovoltaic solar
power systems created for floating on
reservoirs, dams, and other water
bodies.

4. #2 BIPV SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
 Building-integrated photovoltaics, as
the name suggests, seamlessly blend
into building architecture in the form
of roofs, canopies, curtain walls,
facades, and skylight systems. Unlike
traditional solar PV panels, BIPV can
be aesthetically appealing rather than
a compromise to a building’s design.
 Of course, aesthetics alone is not
enough for solar buyers; economics
matters too. The good news is that the
BIPV solar panel systems enable
homeowners to save on building
materials and electric power costs. By
substituting BIPV for standard building
materials, you can cut down on the
additional cost of solar panel mounting
systems.

5. #3 SOLAR SKINS
 Solar skins are a novel PV technology to integrate
custom designs into solar panel systems. The
solar skin technology is similar to the ad wraps
displayed on bus windows.
 A comparison of a standard solar panel
installation (L) and solar skins on top (R). Image
Credits: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) News
 Sistine, the manufacturer of solar skins, is testing
the technology at the United States National
Renewable Energy Laboratory to increase its
efficiency. Solar thin-film skins maintain high
efficiency due to its selective light filtration
advancements. The sunlight falling on solar skins
is filtered to reach the solar cells beneath it. As a
result, it simultaneously displays the custom
image and provides solar energy.

6. #4 SOLAR FABRIC
 Solar radiation is available all over the planet, so
why not generate your own energy, wherever
required? Imagine that besides producing solar
power at a fixed location, you could also do it
while on the move through your own clothing.
 Researchers are developing solar fabrics with a
vision of including solar power in each fiber.
These solar filaments can be embedded into
your t-shirts, winter coats, or any other clothing
to help you keep warmer, power your phone, and
provide energy for other needs while you’re on
the go.

7. #5 PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR NOISE BARRIERS (PVNB)
 Highway traffic noise in the US has always been
a concern for everyone. To overcome this issue,
48 states have built nearly 3,000 miles of traffic
noise barriers. Noise barriers were always
constructed with the single aim of designing
cost-effective barriers that efficiently perform
noise abatement functions. However, the goal
of the US Department of Energy has now
evolved to merge noise abatement with
sustainable power generation.
 Given the widespread use of noise barriers in
the US, the potential of producing solar energy
from these is likely to be around 400 gigawatt
hours (GWh) annually. This is approximately
equal to the annual electricity usage of 37,000
homes.

8. THAMK YOU