The SolarPower Europe ‘Solar and Digitalisation’ report emphasizes that digitalization can lead to creation of new business models and also be a driver for more solar deployment. It talks about market opportunities available for solar thanks to digitalization as smart solar homes, peer-to-peer electricity trading, digitalized manufacturing and high-tech O&M of utility-scale solar power plants, as pictured. (Source: SolarPower Europe)

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The use of digitalization in the form of intelligent devices and sensors in the grid could save consumers $290 billion from lower peak consumption over the next decade, according to the report

The report lists a number of case studies from Europe as well as from the US and Australia to drive home the point

There are market opportunities in the field of solar in the entire value chain which can be unlocked with the help of digitalization

SolarPower Europe has come out with a report that looks in detail at digitalization in the field of solar

In what it calls the first in-depth analysis of digital technology in solar PV, Europe’s solar sector association SolarPower Europe has come out with a detailed task force report on the subject of digitalization in the field of solar. It talks about the market opportunities available for solar thanks to digitalization as smart solar homes, peer-to-peer electricity trading, digitalized manufacturing and high-tech O&M.

With the help of case studies, the ‘Digitalisation & Solar’ report discusses new and improved business models and digitalization of the entire value chain from manufacturing to operations and maintenance and also digital integration of the same into the grid.

“Digitalisation is a major opportunity for solar, not least because it is a means of integrating more PV into the grid, gaining system-wide benefits and new revenues for solar installations,” said Professor Bernd Engel, SolarPower Europe Digitalisation Task Force leader and representative of the SMA Solar Technology Board for grid integration.

Case studies included in the report range from Tesla’s Powerwalls and Powerpacks, and Solarcoin’s use of blockchain technology to Siemens’s neighbourhood solar microgrid on a blockchain platform and BayWa r.e.’s infrared inspections with drones for improved performance analysis.

Some of the major points highlighted in the report are:

Digitalization of the energy transition allows for the emergence of new solar business models

Intelligent devices and sensors in the grid could save consumers $290 billion from lower peak consumption over the next decade

Grid connected microgrids made possible by digitalization can be used to reduce energy costs, source renewable electricity and provide back-up power supply

Digital technology can be used to reduce costs and increase performance along the solar value chain

Utility providers can give customers extra value from their PV installations with cryptocurrencies based on block chain technology

While geographical scope of the report is limited to Europe alone, the report does take into account relevant case studies from the US and Australia as well.

The report is for free download on the website of SolarPower Europe.