Distributed Solar Photovoltaics
Whether grid-connected or part of stand-alone systems, rooftop solar panels and other distributed solar photovoltaic systems offer hyper-local, clean electricity generation.
Introduction
Distributed solar photovoltaics (PV) are systems that typically are sited on rooftops, but have less than 1 megawatt of capacity. This solution replaces conventional electricity-generating technologies such as coal, oil, and natural gas power plants.
In a PV system, a solar cell turns energy from the sun into electricity. Solar cells can be divided into three generations. First-generation solar cells, which currently predominate the market, are based on single or multi-crystalline silicon. Second-generation solar cells, known as thin-film solar PV cells, are more efficient and have higher capacity factors. Even more advanced third-generation solar cells, such as high-concentration PV cells, dye sensitized solar cells, and organic solar cells, are still under development.
Most previous adoption scenarios predicted that PV (both rooftop and utility scale) would generate less than 10 percent of electricity by 2050. However, in light of rapid recent adoption of solar PV in many countries, increasing solar cell efficiencies, and rapidly declining costs, some recent scenarios have predicted that almost 60 percent of global electricity could come from solar PV by 2050.
Project ideas to get started
Campaign to educate homeowners on the ease of solar energy purchasing
Branding and packaging for a micro-grid solar company
Data visualization of solar use/installation comparison in 3-4 countries/states
Design an initiative that incentivizes people to get solar panels to be part of a distributed network
Brand a community initiative to share solar energy with your neighbor
