More consumers are incorporating solar energy into their homes as the shift towards renewable energy accelerates, according to global trend forecasting firm WGSN.
In a webinar, Angela Ringo, senior strategist at WGSN Interiors, said an analysis demonstrates solar’s growing popularity, whether in TikTok hashtags or in online searches.
She said the interest in “solarpunk” is booming -a genre of speculative sci-fi that focuses on renewable energy and living harmoniously with nature.
Ringo cited data showing the photovoltaic solar panels are projected to overtake other energy sources by 2027, reaching a value of $251.4 billion by 2030.
She said solar energy adoption changes homes, such as solar powered kitchens offering outdoor cooking and dining opportunities.
“They will usher in an era of cleaner (solar-powered cooking) those in remote or rural areas in places impacted by war. The demand for solar cooking is likely to rise in a polycrisis era due to geopolitical conflicts,” she added.
Ringo said energy company IndianOil has developed a solar cooking system that it plans to scale for home and industrial use, while bakers in Lebanon are using solar powered ovens to reduce the cost of bread in response to the country’s ongoing economic crisis.
She said solar powered lighting can reduce grid reliance for consumers, while also supporting those living outdoor, rural or nomadic lifestyles.
Solar lamps protect homes from power cuts and load shedding which is common in South Africa, she added. – Press release
