The unstoppable rise of solar energy
Over the past decade, solar energy has evolved from a niche technology to one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy sources. Installed solar capacity has increased seventeenfold in the last ten years, with global targets aiming to reach 1.7 terawatts (TWp) by 2025.
This rapid expansion is driven by the need to reduce carbon emissions, lower electricity costs, and decrease dependence on fossil fuels. Solar energy is no longer an alternative source – it is becoming a cornerstone of the global energy transition.
How solar power works
Solar panels, or photovoltaic (PV) modules, generate electricity by converting sunlight into electrical current. When photons from sunlight hit the semiconductor surface of a solar cell, they release electrons, creating a flow of electricity.
Even under diffuse light conditions, PV modules continue to produce energy. When connected together, multiple panels form a string that feeds energy to inverters, converting DC into AC power for grid or home use.
Excess electricity can be stored in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) or fed back into the grid, enabling flexibility and greater energy independence.
The expanding variety of solar projects
Modern solar energy projects come in many forms.
Among the most common are:
- Rooftop systems, both flat and pitched roof
- Ground-mounted plants, using fixed structures or tracker systems that enable panels to follow the sun’s movement and boost energy generation by up to 25–35%.
- Floating PV installations on reservoirs and lakes
- Solar carports integrated with EV charging stations
- Agrivoltaic systems, which combine agriculture and solar production
- Building-integrated PV (BIPV), where modules replace traditional roofing, glazing or wall materials
The role of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
Battery Energy Storage Systems have become an essential component of modern PV projects. These systems store surplus solar energy for later use, stabilizing the grid via a key application called Ancillary Services and maximizing the use of clean electricity.
Most BESS solutions are based on lithium-ion technology and are defined by two key parameters: power (kW/MW) and energy capacity (kWh/MWh). They make possible functions such as energy shifting – storing energy during the day for nighttime use – and peak shaving, which optimizes power consumption during periods of high demand or low pricing.
While the environmental impact of battery disposal remains a challenge, ongoing advances in recycling and lifecycle management are steadily improving the overall sustainability of BESS.
Economic value of solar and storage
Hybrid PV plants that integrate solar and storage offer multiple financial benefits.
They generate savings through self-consumption, revenue from selling surplus power to the grid, and increased flexibility with energy storage.
Most solar installations achieve a return on investment within three to six years, continuing to deliver clean, low-cost electricity for decades afterward.
Streamlining solar projects with Virto’s digital ecosystem
To meet the growing demand for faster and more efficient solar development, Virto Solar provides a comprehensive suite of software tools designed to support every stage of a PV project.
⚙️ Virto.MAX – Smarter proposals, faster
Virto.MAX is a web-based tool that enables sales and tender teams to generate layouts, simulate energy production, and evaluate project potential within minutes.
It helps companies respond quickly during the pre-sales phase – before detailed engineering begins – making early decision-making faster and more reliable.
🧩 Virto.CORE – The foundation for mounting system companies
Virto.CORE is designed specifically for mounting system manufacturers and suppliers. It delivers precise bill of materials (BOM) generation, structural analysis and ballast calculations, and mechanical verifications, ensuring that each design is optimized for safety and stability.
This tool bridges the gap between conceptual design and construction, allowing partners to standardize processes and deliver consistent quality across projects.
💻 Virto.CAD – Detailed engineering made simple
Virto.CAD takes over in the detailed engineering and construction phases, allowing engineers to create complete PV system models – rooftop, ground-mounted, floating, agrivoltaic and carport layouts to DC/AC electrical design and cable routing.
The software generates mounting and ballast plans and defines string connections. This comprehensive approach ensures accurate, safe, and installation-ready project documentation.
In one project in Belgium, the use of Virto.CAD reduced design time by 80%, saving several weeks of work and avoiding 850 tons of CO₂ emissions compared to traditional methods.
🔄 Connected from concept to commissioning
Virto’s products are designed to work together across the entire solar project lifecycle:
- Sales and proposal stage: Virto.MAX and Virto.CORE
- Detailed engineering and design: Virto.CAD and Virto.CORE
- Construction and commissioning: Virto.CAD and Virto.CORE integrated via API to CAD for site validation, defect tracking, and as-built documentation
This unified ecosystem minimizes errors, accelerates delivery, and improves collaboration between developers, EPCs, and mounting system suppliers.
Accelerating the future of solar
The future of solar energy depends not only on innovation in hardware but also on intelligent, integrated software that connects every phase of the project.
With Virto.MAX, Virto.CORE, and Virto.CAD, teams can reduce design time, improve accuracy, and deliver high-quality solar installations faster and more sustainably.
In the journey toward a carbon-free future, Virto Solar empowers the industry to move from sunlight to software – transforming how solar projects are designed, built, and delivered.