Solar Energy Trends for 2025
Solar energy installation has been breaking records. According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, or SEIA, the U.S. solar industry added 32.4 gigawatts (GW) of new electric generating capacity in 2023—a whopping 37% growth from the previous record in 2021. Once the 2024 data has been finalized, the U.S. is predicted to have installed over 40 GW in 2024. And the SEIA does not see this trend slowing down. With advances in technology, policy support, and increasing consumer interest, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for solar energy in America. Let’s explore the top solar trends expected for the U.S.
One of the biggest trends for 2025 is homeowners and businesses are adding battery storage to their solar installations. As energy storage technologies become more affordable and efficient, combining solar panels with battery systems is set to rise. With utility costs increasing and frequent grid outages, people are looking for reliable backup solutions to future-proof their energy costs and gain energy independence.
Advancements in photovoltaic (PV) technology is making solar panels less expensive and more efficient.
One exciting trend to watch in solar panel construction is perovskite solar cells. They are known for their high efficiency and flexibility. These cells look to revolutionize the market by offering cheaper and more adaptable alternatives to traditional silicon-based panels. They are still in development stage but look to be hitting the market soon.
📷Dennis Schroeder / NREL
Innovative installations like solar canopies over parking lots and agrivoltaics (using farmland for both crops and solar) are gaining popularity. These designs maximize land use and align with sustainability objectives.
Solar Canopies
From shading cars to using land that is already cleared for parking, solar canopies are an easy and smart way to add solar for buildings. According to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, pavement makes up to 50% of the city surface area, and 40% is parking lots. This will add more use to the claimed space without additional sq. footage.
Agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaics is the practice of using land for both agriculture and solar energy. Adopting land for dual production has many benefits. It may help yield higher crops, increase native habitat, and increase economic opportunties for farmers by leasing their land or electricity sales.
Smart inverters will go beyond the basic function of an inverter that converts direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) by enabling the owner to better manage the flow of electricity.
Improved Efficiency of Electricity Flow Regulation
A smart inverter can adjust the voltage and frequency of AC output to match real-time demand. Smart inverters will adjust electricity flow to meet current needs by monitoring the energy generated and being consumed. They can even be integrated with battery storage to store excess energy to be used during peak time of use (TOU) periods or at night.