Solar energy
For decades, the classic image of solar energy was linked to pitched roofs and large power plants in the countryside. However, this logic is beginning to change rapidly. Now, solar panels are being installed on… walls, fences and facades.
The change has a clear reason: price. With mass production led by China, photovoltaic modules have reached prices that, just a few years ago, seemed impossible. In some markets, they are already sold for around US$0,10 per watt. In 2010, the price exceeded US$1 per watt.
Furthermore, since 2022, there has been a cumulative drop of approximately 50% in prices. This movement has completely altered the sector’s mathematics. If before each panel needed to be in the most efficient position possible, today the focus has shifted to the total cost of the project.
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The transformation didn’t happen by chance. China’s industrial capacity has grown at every stage of the production chain. From silicon purification to the final assembly of modules, the country has expanded its global supply.
As a result, production exceeded demand. The surplus drove prices down rapidly. In 2017, modules still cost around US$0,40 per watt on the international market. By 2024, the price had fallen to a quarter of that.
With the cheapest solar panels ever made, surfaces previously considered inefficient have begun to make sense. Vertical walls, which capture less light throughout the day, can now generate energy in an economically viable way.
It wasn’t just the price that changed. The technology also advanced. The consolidation of monocrystalline modules raised the efficiency of solar cells to levels above 20%.
Currently, residential modules between 500 and 600 watts have become common. This means more generation in less space. Thus, even limited areas, such as fences and external partitions, can contribute to electricity production.
Installing solar panels on rooftops requires working at heights. It demands safety equipment. Often, it also requires structural reinforcement. All of this increases labor costs.
So-called “solar walls” simplify the process. Installation takes place at ground level. Access for maintenance is easier. Assembly time is shorter.
It is true that a vertical position reduces light capture compared to pitched roofs. However, the savings in total cost can compensate for this difference. The system becomes modular, expandable, and financially competitive.
Even with low prices, not every wall is ideal. Solar orientation, shading, and geographic location continue to influence the performance of solar panels.
Therefore, technical planning remains essential. The combination of cost, available area, and generation potential is what defines the success of the project.
And you, would you install solar panels on your house wall if it meant paying less on your electricity bill, even if the efficiency wasn’t the highest possible?
He holds a degree in Advertising from UERN; a master’s degree in Social Communication from UFMG; and is pursuing a PhD in Language Studies at CEFET-MG. He has worked as a freelance writer since 2019, with texts published on websites such as Baixaki, MinhaSérie, and Letras.mus.br. Academically, his work has been published in books and presented at industry events. Among his research topics, he is particularly interested in the publishing market from a perspective that considers different social markers.
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