Miniature solar photovoltaic systems, including pico solar and solar home systems, are moving rapidly from specialized niches for enthusiasts and early adopters into the mainstream. These systems are particularly well-suited for applications in the developing world, where they provide lighting, handset charging, and power for small DC appliances in areas where the power grid is unreliable or nonexistent. According to a recent report from Navigant Research, worldwide revenues from pico solar and solar home systems are expected to grow from US$538 million in 2014 to more than US$2.1 billion in 2024.
"Although the majority of solar consumer product activity is, for now, in developing regions of the world, similar products are also emerging in the developed world in the form of solar PV generators and kits," said Dexter Gauntlett, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. "NRG's recent acquisition of Goal Zero exemplifies the growing interest in the sector among major corporations, with more acquisitions and strategic partnerships likely to follow."
In the developing world, according to the report, pico solar systems are providing new alternatives for people who previously had no choice but to pay high prices for low-quality and polluting fuel-based lighting, such as kerosene lamps. In addition to providing inadequate illumination, kerosene lamps pose significant health risks. The spread of pico solar systems gives these communities access to compact, clean, and affordable off-grid lighting and other electric devices, the firm said.
