What is Solar Energy?

Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun, that is harnessed using a range of technologies such as solar power to generate electricity, solar thermal energy including solar water heating, and solar architecture. Solar energy takes advantage of the sun’s rays to generate heat or electricity. It is an infinitely available renewable resource and sustainable form of energy & is unique for its ability to generate energy in a quiet, clean, and consistent manner.

How much space do I need to get a solar power plant?

In bright light, it is believed that a square-foot of a conventional solar panel will yield 10 Watts of power. It is globally observed that a solar plant typically consumes approximately70-100 square-feet of area for 1 KW installation, depending on the type of PV module used.

Is Solar worth investing? Why?

Definitely!!Going solar is quite beneficial and cost-effective in the long run, especially when you buy solar panels from reputable installers. Installing a Solar PV System is like utilizing bare rooftop space for electricity generation for self-use, thus it can be considered an asset in which you invest and take benefit from. The area under installed system can also be utilized for different purposes such as: shed, storage, for leisure activities, etc.

What are environmental impacts & benefits of solar energy?

Unlike fossil fuel power plants, Solar Energy is clean, safe, renewable and cost effective. Solar Panels create electricity without toxic pollution or global warming emissions and no waste. In fact, installing solar panels is now being considered by various organizations as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility liability, in an effort to reduce carbon emission and thus lead to a sustainable environment.

Because solar is not generating during night time, how are we supposed to use power at night?

For Conventional PV Panels, the Solar PV Systemdo not generate electricity during the night time. The energy stored in battery bank (in case of anOff-grid system) or available through the grid (in case of Grid-connected or On-grid system) will be used to run the equipments during night or the time when the solar energy generation is less than the real-time consumption.

Do I need to install batteries compulsorily?

Installing a battery-bank increases the capital investment, so we suggest batteries to be used as a back-up source only at the premises where there is no grid electricity available, or there is a frequent power-cut. In metro-cities or urban areas, where there is a regular supply of grid-electricity, On-grid system is preferred. This way we can already save on battery costs & get the subsidy (if applicable) & net-metering benefits & save big on electricity bills.

Does Solar produce same energy throughout the day?

No. Solar power generation is maximum during peak hours which may vary location to location. For performance check, the solar generation is considered for time between 8 AM to 5 PM when the panels get enough sunshine on the surface. The solar PV system starts producing energy output as early as the sunrises where it gradually increases & becomes maximum at the peak hours during the noon & then gradually decreases as the sun sets. Since the solar energy produced is integrated either with the existing grid connection or with batteries, the running of the electrical equipment is not impacted.

What factors do I need to consider while planning for a solar powered system?

There are certain factors like What capacity you require? What is the sanctioned load? What is your total consumption? What is the total area available? How much do you want to invest in solar? How much will you save on electricity bills?

Can I depend on Solar as a single source of power?

Yes, it ispossible owing to Off-grid Solar technology where PV Panels are used in integration with the batteries.This type of system is frequently used in the rural areas with frequent power-cuts or where there is no electricity connection available. Using Off-grid solar, they can go independent for their energy usage.
In practical applications in industries or large-scale systems, large battery banks will be required which requires storage space &a proper maintenance. Thus, we suggest using PV Panel in synchronization with the grid electricity as it is more efficient & economic.

How does solar impact my building look? Will solar look good on my roof?

Solar does not degrade the building look in any way. So, stay relaxed. In fact, in present times, solar roof can be designed to look magnificent. And in a case, if you want to fit the solar installation within the parapet wall, the same can also be customized.

What is the life & reliability of Solar?

Lifetime of solar PV system is expected up to 30 years in which Solar panels are having performance warranty of 25 years. So, we can say a solar PV system will operate for 25 years or even more if periodically maintained. The other major part, the Inverter, is having warranty of 5-10 years & might need a replacement once in 25 years of lifetime. And because the system is a fixed-typewith no moving parts, there is negligible wear & tear.

What is Capex/Resco?

CAPEX: CAPEX stands for Capital Expenditure. If you go solar under the CAPEX model, you are required to pay the total cost of the solar PV system upfront. This allows you to own the solar system and makes you eligible to avail the accelerated depreciation benefits.
OPEX/ RESCO/ PPA: OPEX or RESCO stands for Open Expenditure. If you go solar under this model, you essentially choose to not buy the solar system but the solar energy produced by the solar system. The solar PV system in this mode is installed and owned by the solar installer or a third party and you are required to sign a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) of purchasing the electricity from the solar PV system at a specified rate for a certain number of years. These agreements are usually signed for 15-25 years.

Can I finance my Solar plant?

You may choose to purchase a Solar PV system and opt for a solar loan to pay up to 100% cost of the system. Under this model of buying solar, though you buy the solar system at the CAPEX cost you are required to pay off the loan at an agreed-upon interest rate.
Various Banks & Financial Organizations are offering loan for installing solar plant at a reasonable rate of interest. Any consumer whether residential or commercial or industrial can directly contact their bank for financial offerings.

Which mode of investment is best & provides speedy recovery?

From the cost perspective, the CAPEX model is considered the best model of buying solar followed by RESCO/OPEX/PPA since the complete cost of solar PV system is paid upfront under CAPEX.
Also, if there is any hike in electricity per unit price, it will not impact those who already have solar installed as they are generating their own electricity and are getting benefits of net-metering.
Also, additional benefits like Subsidy (for residential) &Accelerated depreciation and relaxation in taxes (for industrial or commercial) can only be availed in CAPEX. So that brings down the actual cost of the system and thus the recovery or the payback period is even lesser (within 3-4 years).

What is Feed-in & feed-in tariff?

A Feed-in tariff is the rate/cost at which you sell the electricity generated by your solar system to your discom either via net-metering or gross metering. This tariff rate varies from state to state depending upon the solar policy of the state for the financial year. The tariff also differs across consumer categories. This tariff is often referred to as net feed-in tariff in case of net-metering and gross feed-in tariff in case of gross metering.

How is Solar an economic solution as compared to Inverter-batteries or diesel generator?

Diesel Generators (DG) are highly expensive means of power generation and are also extremely damaging to the environment. The cost of power from a typical DG set is INR 18 – 20 / unit (kWh), while from a typical home inverter it is INR 10 to 15 / unit (kWh). In comparison, solar is a much cheaper and cleaner source of energy and costs just INR 1 to 2 per unit over the entire lifetime and also helps in reducing carbon emissions & global warming.

How much a typical solar system would cost?

Solar PV system costs vary depending on the size of the system. On an average, an on-grid system of a size up to 10kWp costs Rs. 50-60/Wp, between 10 – 100 kWp costs Rs. 45-50/Wp and above 100KWp costs Rs. 40-45/Wp systems. For utility-scale solar projects, costs can be even lower than Rs. 40/Wp. However, for off-grid systems with battery backup cost goes up significantly and lies between Rs.100 -125/ Wp.

Do I need to buy an insurance for my solar plant?

Not compulsorily. Solar PV systems are highly reliable if designed well. Moreover, the key components of a Solar PV system are backed by guarantees & warranties. However, since solar is like any other asset that you own, it is generally advisable to buy an insurance cover.
Most insurance companies nowadays provide policies to insure your Solar PV system. These policies usually insure your solar system from the threats of fire and burglary, machinery breakdown and other natural calamities as per the details of the policy.

Can I use the rooftop space even after getting solar installed?

The solar PV system design nowadays has evolved a lot & can be customized as per customer’s needs. The rooftop space can be used definitely, as the same structure can be designed to be a shed for storage, porta cabin or the rooftop garden, leisure space, etc.

What is the Payback Period for installing solar plant?

The payback period for installing a solar PV system is 3-4 years. It depends on various factors such as electricity tariff, subsidy availability, tax benefits, accelerated depreciation, etc.

How much will I be able to save if I install a solar plant?

The solar PV system on an average generates 4 unit of electricity per KW per day which means for anaverage sunny month, the total generation would be approximately 120 or units per month. Now let’s assume the 1 unit of electricity costs INR 8 then the total saving per KW for a month will be 120x8 = INR 9,600/-

How much time does it take to install a solar power plant?

How much time will the solar installation take entirely depends on the capacity to be installed (usually smaller system is installed in 2-4 weeks while the larger system takes 4-8 weeks or more depending on the project capacity), site conditions & majorly on the statutory approvals required.
For installation of solar power plant, the majority of the time is spent on off-site activities which include: Design, Engineering, Procurement, Liaising etc.

Which factors impact the installation & commissioning of solar plant?

The installation & commissioning of solar power plant depends on certain factors such as availability of documents required for obtaining statutory approvals,

How much maintenance does Solar Panels require?

The recurring cost for solar plant maintenance is almost negligible, as major equipments are under manufacturer’s warranty. The panels are under warranty for 25 years. Inverter is under warranty for 5-10 years, so they might need a replacement once over 25 years of operation. And because the system is a fixed-type and there are no moving parts, there is negligible wear & tear.
Regular maintenance required is for the panels: Regular cleaning of panels so they are clean, shining and thus produce maximum energy.
The plant performance can be checked online through remote monitoring, if any issue is observed can be taken care of accordingly.

What is the Annual Maintenance Cost of a Solar plant?

The consumer can always opt for annual maintenance for a smooth & reliable operation of the solar power plant. The AMC roughly costs 1-5% of the total project cost depending on the capacity installed.

What all statuary permits or approvals are required for installing a solar plant?

No permits is required to install an off-grid Solar PV system or grid-connected system for captive (self) consumption.
For net metering and gross metering system, certain permits and approvals are required, such as:
1. Approval from concerned DISCOM for grid connectivity.
2. CEIG (Chief electrical inspector to the government of state) approval for the capacity more than 10 KW (This capacity may vary from state to state).

Do we need to change the existing infrastructure / electrical circuit design?

The solar PV system is a whole different entity and is terminated at the LT panel or the bi-directional meter installed by the DISCOM. The existing infrastructure / circuit design need not be altered

Which is best Mono crystalline or Poly crystalline?

Monocrystalline solar panels contain cells that are cut from a single crystalline silicon ingot. The composition of these cells is purer because each cell is made from a single piece of silicon.As a result, mono panels are slightly more efficient than poly panels. They also perform better in high heat and lower light environments, which means they will produce closer to their rated output in less-than-ideal conditions.
However, they cost more to produce and that higher cost is passed on to the buyer. Mono panels are a bit more expensive than poly panels of the same wattage.
Mono Panels are available for a wide range of 350-600 Wp+ and developing.
Poly Panels are available for 300-335 Wp. This clearly shows we can fit more KW capacity in the same area, when mono panels are used, as compared to poly.

Net-metering versus Gross-metering?

Net metering – Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid.
o For example, if a customer has a PV system on their roof, it may generate more electricity than the consumption during daylight hours. If the building is net-metered, the electricity meter will run backwards to provide a credit against what electricity is consumed at night or other periods when the home's electricity use exceeds the system's output. Customers are only billed for their "net" energy use.
Gross Metering – Gross metering is an arrangement in which a consumer is compensated at a fixed feed-in-tariff for the total number of units of solar energy generated and exported to the grid (accounted by a unidirectional ‘gross meter’) and has to pay the electricity distribution company (discom) at retail supply tariff for the electricity consumed from the grid. The feed-in-tariff and retail supply tariff are typically different rates.

How do I know my system is working properly or not?

To keep a regular check on your system performance, it is recommended that you install a data logger (remote monitoring device) along with your Solar PV system. This device allows to monitor your Solar PV system’s performance on a real time basis on your mobile phone or laptop. Data logger indicates parameters like generation on a daily, monthly & yearly basis, plant performance ratio, etc. and can send alerts in case of any faults or low generation.

How much weight will solar put on my roof? Will my roof be able to bear the weight?

Total weight the entire system will put on the roof will be approx. 20-30 KG per Square-meter which is evenly distributed on the roof.

I don’t want any penetration or damageto my roof while installing a solar plant, is that possible?

Yes, this is possible. In today’s time, solar can be installed without any penetration or puncture onto the roof. Our expert team designs customized solution according to the customer’s need.

Will solar generate in a rainy/cloudy day?

Yes, as long as the solar energy is available in the environment (from sun-rise to sunset), the PV Panels will produce energy whether it is a rainy/cloudy day or winter season. Yes. the generation will be comparatively low owing to the solar irradiation available.

If there is a power cut, will my solar work?

In case of power-cut, the solar plant will not work and you will not be able to run the electrical equipments (unless you have a home inverter solution/DG set synchronized). This is because of the reason that the On-grid inverter works on a reference voltage received from the Grid & if that is not available, the Inverter will not turn on. There is another reason for this, GRID ISLANDING, which is a safety protocol inbuilt in the inverter.

I have an Inverter at my home, can I use the same inverter for Solar?

Yes, you can keep using the inverter for backup purpose, as you used to before installing the solar plant. The home inverter cannot be used for solar installation, as the home inverter & on grid inverter are different technologies.

We already have a DG-Set, do I still need to install a solar plant?

The electric power generated by DG or diesel cost approx. INR 18 to 20 per unit, whereas the electricity generated by solar costs approx. INR 1 to 2 only. So we can compare the costs are significantly very low. The technology has evolved these days where the solar can be used & synchronized with existing DG Sets, where in case of grid outage, the DG is set to be operating at a bare minimum capacity.