In late March, a $128 million initiative was launched to improve the costs of solar power. “A significant chunk of the money went to research into materials named after an obscure 19th-century Russian geologist and nobleman: Lev Perovski,” wrote Tom Metcalfe of NBC News. Scientists are on the cusp of discovering a better, more efficient photovoltaic solar cell. It is almost daily that new innovations and technologies are introduced within the solar energy market. Scientists are working on a new solar cell made from a type of crystallized mineral: Perovskite Perovskite could revolutionize solar cells by making it more efficient.

In 2016, the first solar panels were installed in Babcock Ranch, Florida, the Hometown of Tomorrow. Babcock Ranch considers itself to be the country’s first solar-powered town. They have become a beacon for solar energy, with over 700,00 panels installed over 800 acres. This week we will take a closer look at what Backcock Ranch means for solar energy and how it can develop in America.

The unprecedented growth in the solar market is a marvel. It is the result of an industry that found a way to deliver a sustainable and cost-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. The Covid-19 pandemic furloughed many Americans and forced many others to work from home. Yet, solar companies were able to adapt. Internet sales replaced door-to-door sales, and the entire solar market outperformed expectations. Solar capacity has increased drastically, and there seems to be no sign of the industry slowing down.

President Biden unveiled his infrastructure plan this week. It’s a massive $2 trillion investment over eight years. The proposal is aptly named the “American Jobs Plan.” It looks to spur job growth while addressing the aging infrastructure. We have previously covered what a Biden presidency could potentially mean for solar energy and other renewables. The infrastructure bill includes $174 billion designated to address climate change directly. The bill intends to boost the electric vehicle market while another $100 billion is committed to upgrading the nation’s electrical grid. These efforts put the country on track for Biden’s goal of zero-emission by 2050.

The U.S. Solar Market Insight is a quarterly report done by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA, and the research firm, Wood Mackenzie. The report’s goal is to analyze the trends within the market and make projections accordingly. The latest report found that the solar industry “set a record last year and is on track to quadruple.”