Technology

How solar energy works?

Solar power is harnessed using Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) or Solar Thermal technology that converts sunlight (Solar radiation) into usable energy.



What is Solar Photovoltaic?

Solar cells, also called photovoltaic cells, convert sunlight directly into DC electricity. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers causing electricity to flow. The greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity.



What is Solar Thermal

The basic principle of solar thermal heating is to utilize the sun's energy and convert it into heat which is then transferred into your home or business heating system in the form of hot water and space heating.



Which is better, Solar Photovoltaic or Solar Thermal?

Both solar photovoltaic and solar thermal have its own advantages and disadvantages. The Solar Thermal technology is generally less costly but can only be used to for heating. Whereas Solar Photovoltaic is more general purpose and can used to get both heat and electricity.



Price

How much does Rooptop Solar Power Plant cost?

It depends on how much is your electricity consumption. If your monthly electricity consumption is 120 Unit (kWh), you need a system of 1 kW. This will cost around Rs 90,000 to Rs 130,000 depending on the type of installation (On-Grid, Off-Grid, Hybrid). A 1 kW system will generate around 120 Units (kWh) of electricity per month can take eight points of loads such as lights, fans, television etc. For higher energy requirements such as refrigerator, cooler, pump one needs to install more solar panels. Once installed this can run for 25 years or beyond. To know how much it will cost for your requirements just give us a call or fill up the GoSolar form. Alternatively you can get some details in Rooftop Solar Power Plant page.



What are price of other solar systems apart from Rooftop Solar?

Depending on system type and size that can vary a lot. Please visit our Products page or fill up the GoSolar form for more details.



What is the maintenance cost of Rooftop Solar?

The maintenance cost is zero for the first year and after that about Rs 1,000 per visit for domestic consumers. However, the general maintenance (solar panel cleaning) is every easy and anyone can do that. For big power plants the maintenance cost is around Rs 0.50/Wp per annuam.



How cost-effective is an on-grid solar power plant?

On-grid solar should be installed in those places where the availability of grid electricity is more than 90%. The main purpose is to reduce monthly electricity bills and lock electricity tariffs for the next 25 years.
On-grid solar power plants have the option to export the excess electricity to the grid and take it back when needed. This removes the need to install the battery to store the energy. For a small solar plant of 5 kW over its life span, the cost of electricity is around Rs 5 / kWh and there is no need to worry about ever-increasing electricity tariff for the next 25 years or so.



How cost-effective is an off-grid solar power plant?

Off-grid solar power plant is suitable for places where grid electricity is not available or not reliable. The main purpose is to obtain energy security.
In places where grid electricity is not available DG set is a popular option. However, the cost of electricity from the DG set is around Rs 16 / kWh (Rs 27 / kWh including the capital cost of the DG set). For an off-grid solar power plant with a battery, the cost of electricity is around Rs 12 / kWh.
DG sets can operate in any weather condition but produce greenhouse gases, whereas off-grid solar power plant does not produce greenhouse gas as such, but weather dependent to some extent.



Rooftop Solar

How can I Go Solar?

All we need to know is your monthly electricity consumption and the amount of roof/open space available to install the solar system. If you can not figure it out, worry not. Just give us a call or fill up the GoSolar form. Let our expert team do the rest.



How do I know my monthly electricity consumption?

You can find your monthly electricity consumption in your electricity bill. It is generally written as Units in your electricity bill. Please also take note of the corresponding month. It is helpful to better understand your need. Let us know if you are having trouble and we can help you out.



How do I know how much space I have for solar panel installation?

Measure the length and width of the free space available in your roof in foot/meter. Multiply length and width you measured and you will get the area in foot square / meter square. For example a 1 kW solar system needs 10 meter square (110 foot square) of free space, which will generate 120 unit (kWh) of electricity per month. If your electricity usage is 600 unit (kWh) per month, then you need 50 meter square (550 foot square) of free space on your roof to install a 5 kW solar system.



What, if I have less space than what I required?

In that case you can install less solar panel in your roof. This will help you to reduce your dependence on utility grid and you will notice a substantial slash in your electricity bill as your tariff is likely to come down to a lower slab.



How long will the system work?

Once installed the solar panel can last 25 years and beyond. Power production ability of reaches 85 per cent in 25-th years, output being higher in the earlier periods.



What can be the maintenance cost?

The maintenance cost is zero for the first year and after that about Rs 1,000 per visit for domestic consumers. However, the general maintenance (solar panel cleaning) is every easy and anyone can do that. For big power plants the maintenance cost is around Rs 0.50/Wp per annuam.



What are the types of rooftop solar power systems for electricity generation?

There are mainly three types of rooftop solar power systems for electricity generation: (i) On-Grid: A On-Grid solar power system is directly connected to the home solar system and to the traditional electric utility grid. On-Grid systems allow the homeowners to get power from either the home solar electric system or the utility grid. Switching between the residential solar system and the grid is seamless. However On-Grid system will not work during power cut due to security reasons. The prime advantage of this type of system is the ability to balance the system production and home power requirements. When the solar system is not producing sufficient power, the home can draw power from the utility grid. When a grid inter-tied solar system is producing more power than the home is consuming, the excess can be sold back to the utility (if utility distribution company allows) in a practice known as net metering. (ii) Off-Grid: An Off-Grid residential system is completely disconnected from the traditional electric power grid. During day time the rooftop solar panel captures the sunlight and converts it into electricity. When sunlight is abundant, production can exceed demand. When production exceeds demand, the excess power can charge the batteries, which store the electricity. When the system is producing less electricity than demanded, the batteries can make up the shortfall. To protect against shortfalls of power when the solar system is under-producing and the batteries are discharged, an electric generator may be added to the system. The generator is used as a power source during periods of prolonged cloudy days or unusual demand. (iii) Hybrid: A Hybrid solar power system is also connected to the traditional utility power grid and adds battery-backup to the system. The addition of a battery backup enables the system to balance production and demand and protects against power outages. Some hybrid systems (with grid export feature) are also connected to the utility power grid. This enables the homeowners to draw from the grid during periods of excess demand and to sell power to the grid when there is excess production.



On-Grid or Off-Grid, which one is better?

Both are OK, but a off-grid system will be costlier as it requires batteries or/and additional electric generator for the night time or cloudy days.



On-Grid or Hybrid, which one is better?

On-Grid system will not work during power cut due to security reasons, whereas Hybrid system will keep on working even during power cut. However Hybrid system will be little costlier, since it requires batteries, additional installations and a dedicated wiring independent of the power line from the grid.



How will the rooftop solar produce power? Is it safe?

Absolutely safe. It’s an attempt to harness the sun’s rays as a source of energy through solar panels on rooftops. The power can be used directly or via the grid of suppliers.



General

Why should we GoSolar?

The Sun belongs to everyone. By going solar you can generate your own electricity from the Sun. This home­grown electricity is pollution free, sustainable and empowering. By going solar you can join the movement to make this planet a better place to live!



Is it really important to adopt renewable energy (like solar, wind etc.)?

The atmospheric carbon dioxide of our planet along with the average global land-ocean surface temperature is increasing very fast and the levels are now higher than any time for hundred of thousands of year prior. This global warming and climate change is mostly due to increase in carbon footprint produced by human activities. This will cause heavy rain fall, heavy snowfall, heat waves, droughts, ocean acidification and species extinctions due to shifting temperature regimes. Effects significant to human include the threat to food security from decreasing crop yield and the loss of habitat from flood. Scientific community estimated further 2 °C increase in average global temperate will lead to dangerous climate change much greater than previously expected. It's a wake up call for all of us!



How can I Go Solar?

All we need to know is your monthly electricity consumption and the amount of roof/open space available to install the solar system. If you can not figure it out, worry not. Just give us a call or fill up the GoSolar form. Let our expert team do the rest.



How much maintenance do solar panels need?

Solar panels accumulate dust on their surface. Over time the dust gets thick and reduces the generation of electricity. Depending on the site location this dust needs to be cleaned from time to time to increase the output generation. Solar panels can be cleaned with normal water, which is very easy and anybody can do that.



How much green and clean solar energy is?

While solar panels are considered a form of clean, renewable energy, the manufacturing process does produce greenhouse gas. It takes around three years for solar panels to be carbon neutral. After three years of use, the overall carbon footprint will reduce further, as the system will remain carbon neutral for the rest of its lifespan. The lifespan of solar panels is generally more than 25 years.
Additionally, to produce solar panels, manufacturers need to handle toxic chemicals. However, during its life cycle, solar panels do not emit toxins into the atmosphere as they generate electricity.



How sustainable is the solar energy system?

Solar energy is one of the cleanest sources of energy, and it's an extremely effective way of your household more efficient and sustainable. Solar panels don't use any water to generate electricity, they don't release harmful gases into the environment, and the source of their energy is abundant and, best of all, free.



What will happen to solar panels after 25 years of usage?

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic or PV panels, are made to last more than 25 years. Many solar panels installed as early as the 1980s are still working at reduced efficiency. The regulations regarding recycling solar panels after their lives are not very rigorous yet in India. However, with ever-increasing capacity addition in the overall energy mix, it is expected that regulations will come into play as the volume of solar panels reaching its end of lifecycle increases. European regulators are leading the way, and have developed a set of standards for recycling solar panels, requiring manufacturers to take back their panels at the end of their lives at no charge to the owners, and send them to a recycling facility where the components are broken down, sorted, and re-sold to make new solar panels and other products. Similar regulations are expected to take place in other countries as well.



How the batteries of the solar panels would be disposed of safely when it needs to be?

The best way to recycle solar batteries is either through a licensed professional or by returning the battery to the manufacturer. When deciding to install a battery backup system, make sure you ask your solar battery installer or provider about the different types of batteries and their recycling options. Alternatively, you can contact the waste management office in your city and find out where you can drop off your used solar battery.