The Challenge
As the world’s population continues to urbanize, the demand for energy in cities is growing rapidly. The electrical demand in urban areas in California is expected to increase by 30% in the next 10 years. This increase is being driven by a number of factors, including:
- The growth of the population in urban areas
- The increasing use of electric vehicles
- The shift to heat pumps
The California Independent System Operator (#CAISO) projects that the state’s peak demand will reach 68,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030. This is up from 45,000 MW in 2020. The majority of this growth will be in urban areas, as these areas are home to the majority of the state’s population and economic activity.
The Way Out
These increases in demand will put a strain on the state’s electric grid. However, by investing in #renewableenergy and #energyefficiency, California can meet this demand in a sustainable way. BUT – how do we get there?
The shift to #electrifyeverything has to be countered by more generation capacity. One way to address this problem is to increase the amount of renewable energy generation in urban areas. #Verticalsolar is a promising option for generating renewable energy in cities.
Vertical Solar
Vertical solar panels can be installed on the sides of buildings, bridges, fences, sound walls, and other structures. This makes them a good fit for urban areas, where there is often limited space for traditional solar panels. As this is a very new field of application for solar modules, not all applications and advantages have been discovered. Some are:
- Saving space: The vertical installation of #bifacialpvmodules can generate more electricity per square foot.
- Innovative Use Cases: The vertical design offers new ways to install solar in urban areas that are not suitable for conventional installations like parking lots or gas stations.
- Noise Reduction: Vertical solar panels also have the potential to reduce noise pollution. The panels can be used to absorb sound waves, which can help to create a more peaceful environment.
- Dual Use: They can be used to provide #shade, to create privacy, or to even act as a #barrier.
- Increased property value: Studies have shown that homes with solar panels sell for more than homes without solar panels.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Solar panels generate electricity without emitting any greenhouse gases. This can help to reduce the carbon footprint of a building or city and support ESG efforts!
- Improved resilience: A localized energy system is more resilient to natural disasters and other disruptions. If one part of the system is damaged, the other parts can continue to operate.
- Local Economic Benefits: Localized energy production can create jobs and boost the local economy. The installation and maintenance of solar panels, for example, requires skilled workers.
- Less Transmission: Less need for costly new transmission and distribution level projects.
- Need & Speed: Vertical solar solutions can be installed where they are needed – like next to EV charging stations paired with storage – and when they are needed.
Conclusion
Vertical solar is a promising technology that has the potential to make a significant contribution to the future of urban energy.
#dreamvertical is key – we need to find, develop and imagine urban solutions for an #energyhungry society – #verticalsolar will be one component of the solution!
Let us know what you think at Sunzaun Sunstall Inc.