FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you should install rooftop solar or not depends upon a lot of factors, none more so than whether you have a free rooftop with enough space and shadow-free area. Post that it depends on what kind of electricity bills you are generating and what kind of power backup you have. In short this can be a little daunting. This is where Luminous has as come up with a really interesting tool the “SolarizerTM”. It is a solar calculator which requires very simple inputs and helps you know your solarisation potential. Using the more advanced version, you can further design the system and also personalise it.

Is it worth installing solar panels in my house in India to power all my electrical equipment and completely cutting off power coming from the grid, keeping in mind the initial investment and long-term savings?

Installing a rooftop solar PV system is any day a wise choice. It will help you to reduce your monthly electricity bill. But going completely off power from the grid might not be the best thing to do.

Why? If you completely cut-off from grid, then you will be needing batteries for storing the light energy that is converted into electricity. This energy then shall be re-converted for use and it is here that efficiencies of conversion come into play. Also batteries increase cost as they need to be replaced every 4-5 years and require maintenance.

A grid-tied solution with net- metering is perhaps a better choice. You can enjoy all electricity generated by panel during day time and during night time, you can take power from grid.

The math therefore is simple. A system with storage or an off-grid system requires a higher outlay of money owing to the batteries. For complete autonomy an even higher one!

Whereas, with a Grid-tied or an On-grid system you have a choice of power sources your own Solar Power Generation System or the Grid. If you consume more than you generate, you pay for the excess units. On other hand, if you generate more than you “consume” then you get paid for the excess units.

What is the cost of installing an on-grid 5kw solar rooftop power generation system?

An On-grid solar power generation system with 5 kW capacity would typically cost between Rs. 70/watt to Rs. 80/watt depending on the brands you choose, the balance of system inclusions and the quality of workmanship.

Let’s say you consume 1,000 units monthly and your 5 kW system generates about 650 units per month, then your bill will be 350 units only.

The Return on Investment is in around 4.5 years. Then you earn for a minimum of 20 years.

My electricity bill is huge, can I do something about it?

Choose an On-Grid solar power system. These systems are designed to work in conjunction with the grid or simply put your electricity supply. The electricity you generate using this system is fed back to the grid. A net meter is installed along with this system to keep track of the electricity consumed by you versus what you generated and fed back to the grid resulting in savings which gets reflected in the bill. But keep in mind that it does not work when the grid is down, so if power back up is your objective, go for an off-grid solar solution.

I have power cut issue, which type of solar solution should I go for?

Go for Off-grid solar power systems. These systems store the electricity produced by conversion in batteries and utilise the stored energy by converting it back to AC so that you can keep running you appliances during power cuts. It’s a boon if you are living or planning to live in an area with no mains connectivity. The rising cost of other power sources as well as of and the increasing demand of electricity, especially in high power cut or no grid areas, has resulted in increased demand for such systems. The reduction in battery prices over the years has further brought the system cost down. But if you don’t have a power cut issue, then we suggest you go for an on-grid system as it will help you save big on your electricity bill.

What is a solar panel all about?

A solar panel comprise of multiple PV (photo voltaic) cells that convert sunshine to electricity. Two types of PV Panels are there – while one comprise of “Polycrystalline Cells”, the other one contains “Monocrystalline Cells”. Polycrystalline cells are effectively a slice cut from a block of silicon, consisting of a large number of crystals. They have a speckled reflective appearance and are very thick. They are less expensive to produce and more suited for Indian conditions. Monocrystalline cells are much thinner and have a smoother feel to them. They are costlier to produce as compared to its polycrystalline counterpart. Based on the area available for solar installation, the required capacity of solar panels can be calculated. Call our solar expert to know your solar potential and get your solar journey started.

Is a solar solution same for all requirements or are there any types available?

There are broadly two types of rooftop systems that you will hear about -On-Grid solar power system – These systems are designed to work in conjunction with the grid or simply put your electricity supply. The electricity you generate using this system is fed back to the grid. A net meter is installed along with this system to keep track of the electricity consumed by you versus what you generated and fed back to the grid resulting in savings which gets reflected in the bill. It does not work when the grid is down. Off-grid solar power system – These systems store the electricity produced by conversion in batteries and utilise the stored energy by converting it back to AC as and when required. The rising cost of other power sources and the increasing demand of electricity, especially in high power cut or no grid areas, has resulted in increased demand for such systems. The reduction in battery prices over the years has further brought the system cost down.

What role does an inverter play in a solar power system?

The most crucial component of a residential solar power plant is an inverter. It acts as an interface which converts power produced by solar panels into electricity which can be consumed to appliances. The type of inverter being used depends on the kind of solar power system you are going for. Grid tie solar power systems need high efficiency power inverters for optimising the performance. Another kind of high efficiency solar inverters are there for the off grid solar power system that can charge batteries both from solar and grid power. The inbuilt MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) charge controllers in some good quality inverters extract up to 30% more power from solar panels.

How critical is the quality of the structure on which the solar panels are mounted?

It is the most critical part as it acts as the skeleton for the entire system, a sturdy structure will result in years of power generation as it need to withstand strong winds and other natural forces. The type and orientation of the structure varies to a great degree depending on multiple factors associated with the location where the solar power system needs to be deployed. The structure for rooftop solar installation on a flat roof is completely different than that for a slanted roof. The height of your roof is another major factor which determines the composition and alignment of the structure. The quality of the material used has to be as per the MNRE (ministry of new and renewable energy) specified norms. The structure needs is mostly made of galvanised iron, which is not only stronger than normal iron but rust proof as well making the solar power system last long.

Can I use normal cables in a rooftop solar system?

You can’t use any regular cable for your solar power system. Specialised cables custom made for residential solar power plants are used to ensure minimal loss of electricity being generated. They are UV protected and strong and long lasting enough to withstand the rigours of nature – be it peek of summers, incessant rains or thunder storms. Use of any ordinary cable is a big health hazard as well with high chances of electrocution for the people in vicinity of the system. Bad quality wire will not only make you solar power system in effective but will result being more expensive as you will end up changing the wires of the entire system in the exposed parts get deteriorated resulting in the risk of electrocution.

When do the batteries come into the picture while installing solar?

Apart from panels, inverter, batteries and structure, what else is crucial for setting up a residential solar power plant?

These are the elements which are essential for proper functioning and safety of the system. No compromise must be made on their quality or it will jeopardise the entire solar power system. In terms of their functioning, while Junction Boxes are used to conceal the wiring connections all across the system, Conduits on the other hand are used to protect the wiring of the solar power plants, they can be rigid or flexible or a mix of both based on the requirement. Lightning Arrestors are deployed to save the entire set up in case of a lightning strike, especially during monsoon while Earthing, which is a grounding system connecting the residential solar power plant to earth, is done in order to give passage to excess electricity during the lightning strike and safeguarding the entire system in the process.

What all do one need to take into account while installing a rooftop solar power plant?

The installation of the solar power system needs to be done with precision in order to generate maximum electricity through the solar power plant. No two roof-tops are the same therefore the process requires system design and careful supervision to ensure proper installation of the solar rooftop power plant. Solar panels used in any solar power system should be installed facing South direction. Tilt angle of solar panel should be around 30% in India, but it varies as per the height of the installation. Solar panels must be grouted using anchor bolts or concrete foundation to ensure durability in rough conditions. UPS and batteries must be installed as close to the panels as possible to minimize DC transmission losses. One needs to ensure that the maximum permissible voltage is not exceeded when connecting the panels in series. There should be a minimum gap of 5 mm between two solar panels to allow for any expansion in materials. The solar panels being interconnected must be of the same type (mono or poly) and same power class. There should be no shade or shadow on the solar panels as this may lead to losses, formation of hotspots etc.

What effect does shading have on the performance of the solar panels?

Which direction should the solar panels face and why?

At what angle do one needs to place the solar panels for maximum output?

What is the duration of warranty on solar panels?

How important is regular cleaning of solar panels?

How should I go about the maintenance of my rooftop solar power system?

A solar rooftop power system will deliver the full return on investment only if runs as smoothly as possible. This means periodic inspections of the individual components of the system. A timely intervention can prevent the threat of diminished output or downtime or a safety hazard. This why it’s important to get in touch with a reputed brand to install your solar system so that all this can be taken care off. Click here to find out how.

How to go about govt. approvals & subsidies for residential roof top solar plants?

In case of rooftop Grid-Tie solar power system, one must ensure that all the necessary govt. requirements for getting net-meter installed are being taken care of. This may require additional time and fees depending on the local electricity utility. For battery based systems, no permits are required. However, in case there are subsidy schemes offered by local government, additional documentation may be required for subsidy. Luminous products are designed as per IEC standards, and are eligible for subsidy schemes. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) regularly announces subsidy and its disbursement procedure on its website, it’s recommended to visit the same.

Does solar power system work only on sunny days?

What types of buildings is this suitable for?

It’s suitable for all type of buildings. The only prerogative is that there should be a roof on top of it, strong enough to support the structure. Installation also varies depending on whether the roof is slanted or flat. In India, we mostly have flat roofs and the structures are created accordingly. The position of the surrounding elements, such as buildings or trees, which can cause shade on the panels play a crucial role in determining the area on the roof suitable for optimum solar power generation. At times there are obstacles on the roof, such as water tanks, which affects how the structure to support the solar panels will be erected as well.

Can solar panel be used for running water pump?

Sure thing! One just needs to make the calculations correctly in terms of what all appliances are being run on solar. Power requirement of a water pump generally lies between 250 to 1100 watts. Just make sure that the total accumulated load does not exceed what is being generated by the solar panels. It also depends on what type of system do you have. If you have an on-grid system, you can use the solar power during the day part by directly connecting the water pump load to the solar set up. In case of an off-grid system, you can use the energy stored in the batteries to run your water pump any time during the day. The duration of usage will depend on the capacity of the batteries and the level of their charging.

What is the typical maintenance required for a solar power system?

The most crucial part of maintaining a solar power system and making sure of the optimum power generation is to keep the solar panels clean. Ideally, it should be done at least twice a week. If you can do it daily, nothing like it. Apart from this, all the main components come with performance warranties, so you don’t have to worry about the other stuff too much. Solar panels come with 25 years of performance warranty while that of inverters and batteries keeps on varying.

What is the normal payback period?

The Return on Investment takes place in around 4.5 years. Then you earn for a minimum of 20 years. Not only you generate your own electricity, you also help reduce the carbon footprint contributing to a healthier environment and making money in terms of savings either due to reduced electricity bill (if you are using an on-grid solar system) or reduction in diesel cost (if you are using an off-grid solar system).

Do individuals get any subsidy/tax benefits for adopting solar systems?

Absolutely, In case of rooftop Grid-Tie solar power system, the owner must complete all the necessary requirements for getting net-meter installed. This may require additional time and fees depending on the local electricity utility. Any good service provider will assist you fully in the process. For battery based systems, no permits are required. However, in case there are subsidy schemes offered by local government, additional documentation may be required for subsidy. Luminous products are designed as per IEC standards, and are eligible for subsidy schemes. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announces subsidy and its disbursement procedure on its website regularly, you may pay them a visit as well to know more.

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Accessory

Batteries

High Capacity Inverters

Square Wave Inverters

sine wave inverter

Solar Batteries

Solar Inverters

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solar ongrid inverter

solar off grid

Hybrid solar inverter

We can help you find the right solution

Accessory

Batteries

High Capacity Inverters

Square Wave Inverters

sine wave inverter

Solar Batteries

Solar Inverters

Solar Panels

solar ongrid inverter

solar off grid

Hybrid solar inverter

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

about us

apka solar panel Care

Our Policies

Get In Touch

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Follow Us

Copyright apkasolarpanel 2022. All rights reserved.

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