Solar Evolution: How Solar Technology Has Changed Since 2001

When Belmont Solar got its start in March 2001, very few people in Lancaster County were investing in solar power or recognizing its potential. Now, 25 years later, a lot has changed. More people have embraced the idea of solar-powered homes, solar technology has advanced, and the way we install solar systems has evolved along with it.

As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’ve taken some time to reflect on how far both the solar industry and Belmont Solar have come. In this article, we’ll share what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and what we’ve learned from 25 years of installing solar systems across parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland.

How Has the Solar Industry Changed Over the Last 25 Years?

As solar has moved into the mainstream, a lot has improved. Solar installations used to involve extensive customization and individual “science experiments” just to get systems up and running. Now, they’re much quicker, mostly because more manufactured parts are available for specific jobs. Overall, the possibilities for solar keep getting better. It’s no longer just for early adopters, and we’ve seen major changes in technology, installation processes, and the value solar can provide.

The Biggest Changes We’ve Seen in Solar

Here are a few things that are commonplace today but were much harder to accomplish when we first started.

Better Solar Technology

One of the biggest changes we’ve seen is the advancement of solar technology. Solar panels have become more efficient, system components are more widely available, and today’s systems can do much more than simply produce electricity. We can now offer battery storage for whole-home backup, integrated equipment like the Tesla Powerwall 3, hybrid solar systems, and system monitoring that gives you greater visibility into how your system is performing.

Simpler, Cleaner Solar Installations

Advancements in technology have also led to simpler, cleaner solar installations. More manufactured parts designed for specific applications have helped speed up installations, while modern equipment takes up less space in mechanical rooms and power conversion areas. Solar panels can blend more seamlessly with the roof, and improved racking systems can keep wiring hidden and create cleaner attachment points. Overall, today’s solar arrays are cleaner, neater, and better integrated with the home.

More Value and Wider Adoption

Solar has also become much more widely adopted, and the value you can get from a system has improved accordingly. More efficient systems can help offset more of the electricity you would otherwise purchase from the grid, while net metering can provide credits for excess electricity sent back to the utility. Add battery storage and other improvements in solar technology, and there are now more ways to get value from the energy your system produces. More people are investing in solar and trusting it as a reliable power source, but we still see a huge amount of untapped potential in what it can provide.

What Hasn’t Changed About Solar

Even with all the advancements, some of the same misconceptions about solar remain. People still question if solar works, and we still hear comments like, “I’m too old” or “It would never be worth it.” There’s also still a lot to learn about the technology and a huge amount of untapped potential.

If you’re still unsure about solar, contact us; we’d be happy to discuss if solar is the right option for you.

How Belmont Solar Has Changed Along the Way

As solar has changed, Belmont has changed with it. New technology and years of experience have helped us continually find ways to do things better. We’ve also become more intentional about the projects we take on, with a greater focus on long-term value, quality workmanship, and the idea that you should “buy nice, or buy twice.”

From the Early Days to Today

In the early days, cash was tight, but paying employees and suppliers on time was always a priority. For Ben, that sometimes meant taking very little vacation and barely paying himself. There were even moments when he considered working somewhere else, but he kept going because he saw the potential of solar at a time when few others in the area seemed to.

The work itself has evolved, too. We used to take on more off-grid projects, retail sales, and whatever “busy work” came along. As we gained experience, we learned where we could provide the most value and became more intentional about the projects we take on today.

Expanding What We Do

Over the years, we’ve also added new products and services based on what we’ve learned from designing, installing, and servicing solar systems. In 2017, Belmont acquired Tough Trac, bringing a solar mounting system designed for strength, protected wire management, fewer roof penetrations, and efficient installation into the company.

We’ve incorporated Rubix solar batteries into our hybrid and off-grid systems, giving customers another option for expandable energy storage and system monitoring. We’ve also introduced the Zook Solar Initiative, which puts unused agricultural roof space to work through long-term solar roof leases for farmers in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Learning From 25 Years of Solar

Through all those changes, the principles behind our work have stayed consistent. We’ve learned to think long term, keep learning, care about the people we work with, and never assume there isn’t another way to improve. Those lessons continue to shape the systems we install and the direction Belmont takes today.

Where We See Solar Going Next

Solar has changed tremendously over the past 25 years, and there is still a huge amount of untapped potential. We expect the industry to continue growing, and we hope that growth comes with just as much improvement.

At Belmont, we plan to keep moving in the same direction: learning, improving, building relationships, and setting a good example through trustworthy, quality workmanship.