Go Solar

Why go solar

As the world shifts to more sustainable energy, more people than ever before are considering solar energy for the home. But why go solar? Is sustainability the only advantage? And what other benefits can you unlock by switching to solar and joining the energy revolution? From saving money to future-proofing your energy supply and breaking free from traditional providers, the advantages are numerous. Solar is an investment that pays off now – and will continue to pay off for years to come.

Reduce your energy bill

Energy costs are a significant expense, particularly as we all consume more electricity in our homes. This is likely to increase even further with the rise of electric vehicles. Solar panels offer a free, reliable source of clean energy with no energy firm markups. With efficient performance and the right storage, you can generate the vast majority of the electricity you need. Even if you still use some energy from the grid, you’ll be significantly reducing your spend for years to come.

Build a brighter future

Our planet is at the tipping point of a climate crisis. The future depends on everyone making smart, sustainable decisions now to safeguard the world tomorrow. And that means moving away from fossil fuels and harm to the environment as part of electricity production and supply. Together, we can lead the change to a kinder, more sustainable future – one where energy is less harmful, wasted energy is reduced, and the planet is in safe hands.

Increase your property’s value

Reducing your environmental impact and energy costs is a massive benefit for you – and that makes it a compelling feature if you ever sell your home. In a competitive property market, homes with solar sell for more than those without.

Investing in a ready-to-use solar installation is creating a valuable asset for your home. As a result, your property will stand out from others and, in the majority of cases, sell for more. So you can save money in the short term, keep saving in the medium term, and recoup more of your investment when you move to somewhere new.

Prepare for the future of transport

We’re all gradually making the transition to electric vehicles. Major manufacturers have all pledged to eliminate new petrol and diesel vehicles within the next few years. Meanwhile, the average cost of an electric vehicle is steadily decreasing.

While this is significantly better for the environment, demand for electricity will surge. If you’re still dependent on electricity firms, that means your costs will surge too. Investing in solar energy is a great way to get ahead of your needs with an affordable, environmentally friendly way to fuel your vehicle.

FAQ

General

How does a solar system work?

Solar panels work by absorbing sunlight (and not heat) with photovoltaic cells, generating direct current (DC) energy and then converting it to usable alternating current (AC) energy with the help of inverter technology. AC energy then flows through the home’s electrical panel and is distributed accordingly.

What are the different types of Solar systems?

There are 3 types of Solar systems depending on whether the plant is linked to the power grid or battery systems for storage.

On-grid solar systems use common solar inverters and are connected to the public electricity grid. Any excess solar power that you generate is exported to the electricity grid and one usually get paid a feed-in-tariff or credits for the energy you export. The policy for getting credits for energy exported to the credit is termed as “Net-Metering Policy” and is available currently in most states of India.
Off-grid solar systems are not connected to the electricity grid and therefore requires battery storage. An off-grid solar system must be designed appropriately so that it will generate enough power throughout the year and have enough battery capacity to meet the home’s requirements, even in the depths of winter when there is less sunlight.
Hybrid solar systems combines solar and battery storage in one and are now available in many different forms and configurations. This means being able to store solar energy that is generated during the day and using it at night. When the stored energy is depleted, the grid is there as backup, allowing consumers to have the best of both worlds.

How much electricity does a solar plant produce?

The production level of a solar plant depends on multiple factors like radiation levels, amount of sunlight received, plant design and quality of components. On an average, 1 KW solar plant produces 4 units of electricity per day.

How do I decide what size of plant I need?

The size of your Solar plant depends on the following factors
Your electricity consumption pattern
Available shadow free area
Solar irradiation in your area

Do solar panels generate electricity even during monsoon & winter?

Yes, Solar panels do produce electricity in cloudy or rainy weather albeit with reduced efficiency. This fall in production is considered in the unit generation estimates provided for every project.

What is Net metering?

Net Metering is a system that gives solar energy owners credits for the power that they add to the grid. When solar panels produce excess power, that power is sent to the grid. And this power can be ‘taken back’ when the solar plants are not functioning – example, during the night. When a unit of solar energy that has been ‘net metered’, the bi-directional electricity meter will run backwards. Customers are billed only for the ‘net’ energy use.

Solar Maintenance & Economics

What is the life of a rooftop solar system?

The Solar Plant life is 25 years. The main components are solar panels and inverters. Solar panels have a warranty of 25 years and inverter warranty ranges from 7-12 years.

Do I need to clean my Solar plant?

It is a good practice to clean the solar panels 1-2 times a month. It is safer to clean the panels early in the morning or at night when no incident sun rays are present and the power plant is not producing any electricity. You can simply use a clean wet cloth, soft nylon brush or sponge to wipe the surface but ensure the panels are clear of any moisture. Don’t use metal brushes or detergents as these may streak the glass of the panel.

Are there any subsidies provided by the government for solar projects?

There are no subsidies available for commercial entities. For residential rooftop solar projects there is subsidies, but its depend on the state scheme and type of system.

What is the difference between CapEx and OpEx models?

In a Capex model, the entire investment comes from the power consumer. The consumer hires a solar EPC company who provides turnkey installation of the entire solar power system and hands over assets to consumers. EPC also does annual operation and maintenance (O&M) of plant. In the OPEX model, an investor or project developer (sometimes called Renewable Energy Service Company –RESCO) invests the CAPEX and the consumer pays for the energy consumed. Both consumer and developer sign a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) for an agreed tenure & tariff.