Many industries contain important trends that are helpful for clients to be aware of, and the solar panel world is a great example. As a form of cutting-edge technology that improves with each passing year, trends regularly change in the world of solar energy - and the new year is often a great time to check in on these and see where the industry is at currently.

At Intermountain Wind & Solar, we're proud to serve as one of the top solar companies across Salt Lake City, Utah and Boise, Idaho, offering solar panels and other solar energy services in both commercial and residential settings. Here are some of the top trends and concepts we're looking at as we enter 2025.

Popularity Isn't Slowing

There may come a time when solar energy becomes so prevalent that it's no longer considered a trend - but we're not there yet. Far from it, in fact. The popularity of solar energy continues to rise each year, with more and more homeowners and businesses looking to make the switch to clean, renewable energy sources.

That's not expected to change in 2025. Many projections suggest that solar energy will be the top source of electricity globally within a decade o less, surpassing even traditional fossil fuels. Part of this is due to the fact that the cost of solar technology continues to decrease, making it more accessible for individuals and businesses alike.

Battery Storage

One of the most significant challenges with solar energy has always been its intermittency - that is, it only produces electricity when the sun is shining. But as technology continues to advance, battery storage solutions are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners and businesses alike.

In 2025, we expect to see even more growth in this area as battery storage becomes more affordable and efficient. This will allow individuals and companies to store excess energy generated from their solar panels for use during non-sunny hours or in case of a grid outage.

Smart Solar Technology

As with many other industries, the solar energy sector is increasingly utilizing smart technology to improve efficiency and convenience for its users. This includes everything from smart inverters that optimize energy production to mobile apps that allow users to monitor their solar panels' performance in real-time.

In 2025, we expect to see even more advancements in this area, potentially leading to a fully integrated and automated solar system experience for homeowners and businesses.

IoT and Solar

Down related lines, the solar industry is exploring new ways to integrate Internet of Things (IoT) technology into its systems. This could include tracking and monitoring capabilities for solar panels, as well as improved communication between various components of a solar system.

As IoT continues to expand and evolve, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the way that it's used in conjunction with solar energy.

Community Solar

Community solar projects are becoming more popular as a way for individuals who may not be able to install solar panels on their own property or don't want the hassle of maintenance and upkeep to still benefit from clean energy sources. In 2025, we expect to see even more growth in this area as communities and cities work together to develop large-scale solar projects that can provide renewable energy to a larger population.

Solar Panel Technology Innovations

While none of these are necessarily new to 2025 itself, we expect to see an increase in prevalence and popularity of a few different solar panel technology trends:

• Thin-film solar panels: As the name suggests, these solar panels are thinner and more flexible than traditional ones, making them easier to install in a variety of settings.
• Bifacial solar panels: These panels have cells on both sides, allowing them to absorb sunlight from both sides and potentially increasing their efficiency.
• Solar roof tiles: Aesthetically pleasing and often more durable than traditional shingles, solar roof tiles are becoming increasingly popular as a way to incorporate solar energy into homes without the use of bulky panels.
• Floating solar panels: With many bodies of water covering significant areas, floating solar panels offer a unique solution for areas where traditional ground-mounted or rooftop systems may not be feasible.

As you can see, there are many exciting trends and developments to look out for in the solar energy industry as we enter 2025. We're excited to be a part of this industry and can't wait to see what advancements and innovations will come next.

Make sure to stay tuned for even more updates from Intermountain Wind & Solar as we continue our mission to provide clean, renewable solar energy solutions for our communities across SLC, Utah and Boise, Idaho.