In India, most people in different states are experiencing the power cuts. The situation is worse in rural areas, where several hours of power-cut may be a daily story. Many households in India, recognizing solar power as a reliable and economically viable source of power, and have installed solar rooftop system for home.

 

The biggest incentive for installing rooftop solar panels for home is the economic aspect and India receives almost 300 days of uninterrupted sunlight. Solar energy has emerged as one of the most promising and widely accepted renewable energy source today. Residential solar solutions can provide free, uninterrupted electricity for the years together while at the same time contribute towards a greener environment. Residential solar rooftop systems are also easy to install and require minimal maintenance. With depleting fossil fuel reserves, accelerated environmental degradation and pressure on the power generation infrastructure, the government has taken various steps in form of subsidies to accelerate adoption of solar energy by providing residential solar solutions.

 

HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ROOFTOP SYSTEM

It is widely understood that solar power is the most viable and reliable way to reduce electricity costs and contribute to a sustainable environment. Homes with empty and unused rooftops that receive plenty of sunlight during the day provide an ideal location for installing a solar rooftop system for home. However, choosing the right solar plant for a residential house can be tricky, especially for people from a non-technical background. Listed below are some basic steps that can help make an informed decision about rooftop solar panels for home.

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ASSESS THE SOLAR POTENTIAL

The solar energy potential of a particular roof primarily depends upon the following factors:

• Possible energy generation at the location : Initially assess the potential generation capacity at the location by calculating available shadow free area and the load requirement of the household.

• Availability of shadow-free area : When a shadow falls on a solar panel, it disrupts the electricity generation of that particular panel and affects the generation of the entire string. Shadow also creates hot spots, which can permanently damage a panel. Therefore, shadow-free area is vital for the optimum performance of a solar plant.

• Orientation of the roof : South-facing roof is an ideal orientation, as it enables the solar plant to receive the maximum amount of sunlight as the earth rotates, thereby improving plant yield.

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CHOOSING THE RIGHT TYPE OF SOLAR PLANT

Residential solar plants are classified into On-grid, Off-grid, and Hybrid systems, each having its unique features, usage, and advantages. The selection of the type of solar plant depends on the intended use and prevailing electricity-grid conditions.:

 

On-grid systems : An on-grid solar system is integrated with the main grid supply, which ensures grid supply is used only when the solar system cannot supply the required power. Any excess energy produced can be exported to DISCOMs through net metering and earning revenues when production is higher than consumption. This kind of system is very cost-effective and enables substantial savings in electricity costs. This kind of system is ideal for locations with low power cuts and robust net-metering infrastructure and policies.

 

Off-grid systems : As the name suggests, an off-grid system is one that is not connected to the main grid. It is a stand-alone system that can run its batteries where the solar energy is stored. The solar power generated by the plant charges the batteries, which powers various applications in the house. Off-grid ystems make an ideal choice where grid supply is not present, or the supply is highly erratic with frequent breakdowns.

 

Hybrid systems : The hybrid system is a combination of on-grid and off-grid systems. This kind of system allows for energy storage in batteries and, at the same time, export excess power to the grid after the batteries are fully charged. While it seems like a win-win, it is advisable to undertake a thorough cost-benefit analysis, as hybrid systems are more expensive to install compared to the other two types of systems.

 

Costing :

Cost of Solar installation for home linked with many factors. Few of the following factors play vital role in arrive the total cost

• Types of solar panels are different.

• Different solar panels have different efficiency rates.

• Different installation companies offer different quality of services.

• Different consumers buy different value-added services.

 

Based on various site installation experience, DHCON arrive at Cost of standard system approximately is as follows. 

Note : This price may vary as per site condition and features added by client

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• 1 KW = ₹ 87,000

• 2 KW = ₹ 1,30,000

• 3 KW = ₹ 1,72,000

• 4 KW = ₹ 2,24,000

• 5 KW = ₹ 2,85,500

• 6 KW = ₹ 3,40,000

• 7 KW = ₹ 3,71,000

• 8 KW = ₹ 4,32,000

• 9 KW = ₹ 4,77,000

• 10KW= ₹ 5,30,000

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Government Subsidy:

Indian government is encouraging individual residential consumers to setup Rooftop solar and offering subsidy as follows

• ​Subsidy @ 40% for capacity upto 3 KWp

• Subsidy @ 40% for capacity only for the first 3 KWp and for capacity above 3 KWp and upto 10 KWp, the subsidy shall be 20%