As more homeowners and businesses manage their energy needs and look for ways to make their electricity supply more reliable and cost-effective, the use of distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems is increasing.

Typically installed on the roofs of residential and/or commercial and industrial buildings, parking lots or other buildings, these systems use technological advances that make solar energy more efficient. When more solar energy systems are installed and combined with energy storage systems, costs decrease as electricity production increases.

Headquartered in New Mexico, Baywar provides consulting, financing, market intelligence and more to energy-focused companies in the solar industry. It is a leading company that provides David Dunlap, Vice President of Product Strategy for BayWa re Solar Systems, gave POWER an overview of the company's operations. Dunlap joined Bayware in 2016 after 16 years in the housing management industry implementing green building technologies and renewable energy systems at the award-winning design-build firm in Santa Fe, New York, Mexico.

Dunlap also worked with Honeywell Building Solutions, developing solutions for public sector energy projects. He currently leads BayWare's product strategy development and partnerships with major solar and storage manufacturers.

Energy: What are the newest and most efficient solar panels for rooftop solar or distributed solar?

Dunlap: Recent advances in solar technology aim to increase efficiency, reduce degradation, and lower temperatures. The once dominant traditional p-type mono PERC cells have reached their technological limits. The result is the transition to N-type (TopCon), heterojunction (HJT) and flying cell technologies. These innovations solve the problem of increasing the power density in a limited area of ​​the roof and open up new possibilities for efficient and dense solar panels.

Energy: What are the latest designs and/or installation methods for distributed solar systems?

Dunlap: The industry has largely agreed on best practices for structural installation and installation methods. Self-sealing and deck-mounted asphalt shingles are a popular trend because they offer advantages over traditional waterproofing solutions. These solutions are not only more reliable but also faster to install. Although no revolutionary breakthroughs have been made, the focus is on developing efficient and risk-reducing practices.

Power: What are the new charge controllers and inverters for decentralized solar systems?

Dunlap: Charge controllers are primarily used as stand-alone devices in off-grid battery systems. But in the context of grid-connected solar and energy storage systems, the focus is on creating integrated ecosystems. Manufacturers are integrating photovoltaic inverters, energy management technologies and battery storage into a single platform that runs on a grid-connected home. This integration ensures interoperability and simplifies the entire system, efficient power generation and storage, as well as grid metering and grid connection benefits from a single communication and control platform. We can see a possible return to a channel architecture where the primary benefit is clear cost and labor savings. Relevant new market entry may challenge cost and performance assumptions (reliability is still key).

Energy: What are the benefits of decentralized solar power generation for the EV charging market? Which battery storage systems are suitable for integrating decentralized solar energy?

Dunlap : Currently, the integration between distributed solar and electric vehicles (EVs) is limited. Electric vehicle chargers are often connected directly to the grid without the need to integrate with solar systems. However, the ideal scenario is to integrate EV charging with solar power and storage into a single energy management ecosystem. This setup provides bi-directional power flow and allows power to be transferred between the car, the home and the grid as needed.

When it comes to recommended battery storage systems, the focus should be on integrated solutions that work seamlessly with the entire PV and storage ecosystem rather than specific battery brands. Basically, an EV charger is part of a comprehensive energy management platform that can efficiently use and manage power from various sources.

Energy: What new technologies are currently being explored to support future distributed solar power generation?

Dunlap: The future of distributed solar generation depends on technology development and policy changes. While technology continues to improve and make solar energy more accessible and cost-effective, it's important that policymakers and regulators support the transition to clean energy. Integrated systems combining solar power, energy storage and electric vehicle charging are expected to become more widespread. The key is to create a regulatory framework that encourages and facilitates the widespread adoption of distributed solar, making it more affordable for homeowners and businesses. US trade policy and domestic manufacturing investments play a role in this by isolating ourselves from global technology initiatives or maintaining and developing our domestic capabilities.

- Darrell Proctor is the editor-in-chief of POWER Magazine ( @POWERmagazine ) .