We've got a lot of building out of solar capacity to do, though with rates of growth, it could be a majority (not "significant", but "majority") component of electrical generation in a decade or so. High growth rates from a low base tend not to be sustained though. Regardless, we'll be building out infrastructure for a while.
Once built, solar will need replacement at ~5% of installed base per year (based on a 20% lifespan).
Yes, large-installation construction should be less expensive than rooftop retrofitting. I also suspect we'll see increasing amounts of integrated solar construction.
As I note elsewhere, I haven't seen a good allocation of labor by phase of solar deployment (e.g., new rollouts, maintenance, ongoing replacement, support and administrative positions, recycling).
Oh, and at some point, recycling of decommissioned panels will also be a thing.
Once built, solar will need replacement at ~5% of installed base per year (based on a 20% lifespan).
Yes, large-installation construction should be less expensive than rooftop retrofitting. I also suspect we'll see increasing amounts of integrated solar construction.
As I note elsewhere, I haven't seen a good allocation of labor by phase of solar deployment (e.g., new rollouts, maintenance, ongoing replacement, support and administrative positions, recycling).
Oh, and at some point, recycling of decommissioned panels will also be a thing.