What would be the annual maintenance cost for a solar PV system?
The annual maintenance and recurring costs are almost negligible, since there are no moving parts and the input fuel (sunlight) is free. For optimum performance, the system only requires cleaning of modules and basic preventive and corrective maintenance.
What factors are important to consider when planning to go solar?
When planning to go solar, it is important to consider:
• How much of your energy needs can you meet with solar?
• How much can you save by going solar?
• Do you have enough shadow-free space (land or roof)?
• How much do you want to invest in your solar PV system?
Every Solar PV system is customized based on your site conditions. Therefore, you need a fair assessment of your energy requirements, site conditions and the solar energy generation potential at your site.
How much space is required for Solar PV system?
A 1 kW rooftop system generally requires 80 to 100 square feet. Based on the space available, you can fulfil your entire electricity requirement through solar.
Which Solar PV system is suitable for me?
Depending on your energy consumption pattern (consumption during day vs night), power outage pattern, availability of policies like Net Metering and access to grid power (for rural areas), you can choose between an on-grid and an off-grid Solar PV system. On grid systems are the most commonly used systems and are the least expensive and require very little maintenance. Off-grid systems use batteries which cost significantly more and need high maintenance.
Can I use Solar during a power outage?
On-grid Solar PV systems are designed to run with grid power. Therefore, the system will not be able to function if grid power is not available. This is a safety feature to avoid feeding power back into the grid while the line-men are working on the grid.
What are the key factors that affect solar power generation?
To ensure that the generation from your Solar PV system is maximized, the following should be kept in mind:
Solar Panels do not require much cleaning. Generally, it is recommended to wash your panels in 7 to 10 days. Just ensure that you use clean water.
What is Net metering?
Net metering is a billing mechanism which allows you to sell excess (unconsumed) solar power generated by your solar system to the DISCOM. For example, if on a given day you generated 10 units from your solar system and consumed only 7 units, the balance 3 units will be sold to the DSICOM at a set tariff. This ensures that you maximize your savings from solar.
Do I need to buy Insurance for my Solar PV system?
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.
Is solar power cheaper than grid power?
Yes, solar power today is cheaper than grid power for a lot of consumer categories across most states. Moreover, solar is a one-time investment while grid tariff keeps increasing every year. Therefore, by choosing to go solar today, you are locking in a fixed energy price for the next 25 years.
What is the return on investment (ROI) and payback period of solar PV?
Typically, commercial & industrial consumers should expect payback in 2 – 3 years and residential consumers should expect payback in 3- 4 years. Once the initial cost of your system is paid back, the energy generated by it for the next 20 years is almost free of cost.
Does Solar Power System produce electricity from solar during grid outage?
The grid connected solar rooftop system does not produce electricity from solar during grid outage.
Do solar panels work at night?
No. Solar panels do not typically produce electricity at night. Solar panels rely on sunlight to generate power through the photovoltaic effect, which is the conversion of light into electricity. Since there's no sunlight at night, solar panels cannot generate power.
What are the different types of solar grid system?
There are three main types of solar grid systems: on-grid (grid-tied), off-grid, and hybrid.
What is an on-grid and an off-grid Solar PV system?
On-Grid: An on-grid system is interconnected with your existing electrical system. The solar energy generated is simultaneously consumed, and if the solar panels are not generating sufficient energy to cater to your consumption, the differential is automatically sourced from the grid. It is also possible to connect the system with batteries, home inverters, diesel generators, etc.
Off Grid: An off-grid system is an independent, battery-backed Solar PV system which is not connected with grid. During daytime, solar energy generated runs your appliances. Any excess energy is stored in the batteries, which can be utilized at night. Off-grid systems are used for standalone applications like traffic & streetlights, billboards, agricultural pumps, telecom towers, rural applications, etc.
What permits & approvals do I need to install a solar PV system?
For net metering and gross metering system, certain permits and approvals are required.
Approval from DISCOM for grid connectivity.
CEIG (Chief electrical inspector to the government of state) approval for the capacity more than 10 KW