What is Balcony Solar

In the US, the Washington Post observed, 53 million households cannot install rooftop solar because they live in apartments or they are renters. Millions more don’t install it, even if they have a rooftop, because it seems too expensive or too difficult. These people may soon have an alternative that makes solar energy accessible to almost anyone.

This webinar goes over what you need to know whether you are shopping for your next home or thinking of selling your current solar equipped home. 

The first community solar project in the US was in Washington state, and projects that have rolled out since then provide financial benefits to community members whether or not they have rooftop solar panels. While innovation has expanded the range of benefits, changes under consideration could change community solar significantly. 

Community Solar Deliver Benefits

Community solar enables a diverse range of customers - including residents, businesses, and institutions - to subscribe to a shared solar project within their utility territory and receive direct credits on their electricity bills for the energy produced by their share, Yale University explained. The term “community solar” reflects the collective nature of these projects, which are designed to serve entire communities rather than just individual property owners. The installations can be on rooftops in the community or at a small solar site nearby. 

Solar energy is already the leading source of new energy solutions in a multitude of locations. Innovations to improve solar panels and inverters as well as to use AI and robots will make it even better.

Note: This is an update to our January 2024 story

Residential solar systems have traditionally been installed as rooftop panels. Now, however, solar is being integrated into roofs, windows, wall panels and more, enabling new solutions for architects and builders as well as installers.

Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

These new solar energy systems, called Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), are PV elements located within a building's envelope, WBDG explained. They can replace exterior shells such as rooftop solar panel components or be integrated into the building itself. Examples of BIPV materials include glass windows, glass skylights, awnings, canopies, shingles, exterior wall panels and even walkable surfaces. These systems generate electricity and can also add visual interest or aesthetic design elements to a building.