I don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but I noticed the debate, and the problem, and thought of a solution, and couldn't remain silent. A way to increase speed, be visually interesting, and improve belts without being just another iteration of speed increase. A belt teleporter. A belt transpo...

Here's a donation to your mod... different graphics for the different solar panel levels to reflect more effecient (yet more complicated) solar panel designs.