The solar power industry provides a textbook example of how disruptive energy technology can move from niche adoption to mainstream penetration. In the 1970s, solar photovoltaic (PV) technology was still in its infancy, mostly reserved for specialized applications like powering satellites. By 1983, global solar PV production reached just over 21 megawatts (MW)—a notable leap but still a fraction of global energy demand. As manufacturing efficiencies improved and costs plummeted, adoption accelerated. By 2010, global solar capacity exceeded 40 gigawatts (GW); a decade later, installed capacity surpassed 700 GW.
The inflection points were clear: technological advancements, supportive government policies, and aggressive capital investment. Just as critical, solar module costs fell from roughly $100 per watt in 1976 to just $0.30 per watt by 2023, making solar cost-competitive with fossil fuels.
This, deservedly, triggered widespread adoption and generated endless headlines. Yet, for all its progress, solar still accounts for only about 5% of global electricity generation. Its limitations suggest it will remain an essential but supplementary player in the energy mix rather than the dominant force once envisioned.
New ingredients, better recipe
That's not necessarily a problem. Other solutions are filling the gap. And the same forces that propelled solar energy into mainstream adoption, specifically "big money," are now converging on another critical energy sector: industrial heat. While several companies target exploiting a competitive sweet spot, one is ahead of the curve—Brenmiller Energy (NASDAQ: BNRG). And its lengthening competitive distance may accelerate a global transition to better and cleaner energy sources.
Keep in mind that industrial heat isn't just another market—it's a massive, high-impact sector where heat, at some point in the process, accounts for over 60% of global manufacturing energy demand. The issue for companies needing that heat is that industrial boilers, the backbone of industries from food processing to chemical manufacturing, remain overwhelmingly dependent on fossil fuels despite mounting pressure to decarbonize.
That pressure, by the way, doesn't come from a friendly regulatory "request" to change. Companies are looking for alternatives because they're being mandated to adopt them. And while others are still in beta, raising and spending hundreds of millions in hopes of developing their technology, Brenmiller Energy is already delivering.
The Go-To provider for industrial heat
Brenmiller Energy is marketing a renewable, cost-effective solution for industrial heat storage and delivery. Much like solar energy became the go-to alternative for electricity generation, Brenmiller's thermal energy storage (TES) technology has the potential to redefine industrial heat. Even better, it doesn't just replace fossil fuels—it enhances the efficiency of existing clean energy sources.
Brenmiller's innovation and value driver is its proprietary bGen™ technology, which captures renewable electricity and waste heat, storing it in crushed rock for efficient, on-demand heat supply.
This breakthrough mirrors early advances in solar PV, where improvements in storage and efficiency unlocked mass adoption. Moreover, and certainly to the benefit of Brenmiller, over the past 14 years, it has completed what others are still trying to do - build the momentum necessary to scale.
Success in that mission is timely. With rising fossil fuel costs, carbon taxes, and regulatory mandates, the demand for stable, cost-effective heat alternatives has never been greater.
Regulators are not asking—They're demanding
The good news for Brenmiller Energy is that the demand for renewable heat solutions is not just increasing, but also becoming urgent. With governments worldwide implementing strict emissions regulations, manufacturers are not being asked, but forced to transition to renewable heat solutions. This urgency in the market plays directly to Brenmiller Energy's strengths, making its solutions more relevant and necessary than ever.
Keep in mind that unlike emerging competitors still refining their technologies, Brenmiller's bGen™ system is already operational, offering a modular, scalable solution that can be deployed across multiple industries. This isn't just an alternative—it's necessary for industries facing regulatory pressure and rising energy costs, providing a reliable solution in the market.
Thus, like solar PV transformed from an expensive novelty into a global energy staple, industrial heat storage may follow a similar trajectory, putting it on the brink of widespread adoption. Remember that industrial sectors reliant on fossil-fuel-based heat now have little choice but to find suitable alternatives. Brenmiller Energy's solutions not only meet compliance—they provide better value, better efficiency, and a better bottom line.
Leading the market, not testing it
Here's the kicker- while potential competitors are still proving their concepts, Brenmiller Energy is already delivering results. The company has partnered with Tempo Beverages, a Heineken company, to replace fossil fuel boilers at its Netanya beverage plant with a 32 MWh bGen™ thermal energy storage system (bGen ZERO).
That deal generates more than sustainable process steam—it's expected to reduce manufacturing costs by millions. Those results added to an already impressive resume are always good for business. Make no mistake- the market is shifting fast. And while others are still figuring it out, Brenmiller is already making it happen. That's not just innovation—that's leadership.
