The increasing adoption of rooftop solar panels plays a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering reliance on grid electricity. As the energy sector is responsible for approximately 35% of global emissions, residential and commercial buildings account for over half of all electricity consumption. Therefore, the solar industry must innovate to meet energy demands while minimizing environmental impacts.
To limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C, it is essential to install 500 to 600 GW of new solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity annually for the next decade. This equates to over a billion solar panels per year. However, the rapid expansion brings challenges related to efficiency, longevity, and sustainable manufacturing practices.
To maximize the efficiency of solar panels and reduce environmental footprints, innovations such as Heterojunction Technology (HJT) have emerged. Unlike traditional technologies, HJT combines crystalline and amorphous silicon to enhance power density and energy conversion. REC Group, a pioneer of HJT since 2019, has introduced five significant innovations to optimize solar panel performance and longevity. These advanced panels boast an efficiency of over 22%, significantly reducing the number of panels required per installation.
The production of solar panels is energy and water-intensive. To address these challenges, REC Group has implemented robust sustainability practices, including:
While solar panels help reduce carbon footprints, their manufacturing process remains energy-intensive. To mitigate this, responsible manufacturers aim to lower the Energy Payback Time and carbon footprint through sustainable production methods. Long-lasting performance guarantees of up to 92% power retention after 25 years ensure that the environmental benefits persist over time.
The solar industry must continue to innovate while committing to sustainable manufacturing to meet global energy demands responsibly. Homeowners and businesses can contribute to climate action by selecting high-efficiency, responsibly manufactured solar panels.
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