How to choose solar panels in India

Looking to purchase solar PV equipment but unsure which kind of solar panels to purchase. You may be thinking to yourself:

What factors should I consider while selecting the finest solar panel?

Solar panels are increasingly being installed by individuals and businesses that are concerned about growing power prices and want a system that saves money while also producing cleaner energy. Before you install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on your roof, here's what you should know.

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General laws on how to choose a new solar panel In India:

The price of solar panels in India:

When comparing solar panels, this is most often the first consideration. The cost of a solar panel is influenced by many factors, including the size (in Watts), physical size, brand, material quality, durability (or warranty duration), and any certifications the solar panel may have.

Consider the cost as one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a solar panel. However, price should not be the only aspect to consider, as the cheapest panel may not be the most efficient or, in the long run, the best choice. Solar panels may be dangerous to select, but since they have a long lifetime (more than 30 years), it is more essential to have a high-quality system than to go for the cheapest alternative.

Quality of Solar Panels:

This considers the manufacturing process as well as the quality of the materials used to construct the solar panel. There are a variety of producers that produce panels of varying quality, cost, and efficiency. Vertically integrated solar panel producers have complete control over each step of the manufacturing process. They prioritise quality and devote significant resources to research and development (R&D). Other companies that simply assemble panels don't typically produce their cells or engage in research and development. They require more human labour than robotics, but their panels are the most inexpensive.

When selecting a solar panel provider, it's a good idea to look at the company's reviews or history to see what kind of experiences customers have had with them. Because you will be making a significant investment, you should do some research to see if customers are happy with the product and customer service, as well as whether the business delivered on its promises.

Energy Conservation:

The efficiency of a solar panel refers to how much of the light it absorbs is turned into electrical energy, and therefore how much electricity your system will produce. The more effective you are, the better (and more expensive). Purchasing the largest and most efficient solar panel is not necessarily the greatest option, as you may wind up paying more money than necessary to meet your energy requirements.

You should evaluate your demands and choose the panel that best meets them: this implies not underestimating, but also not overestimating your requirements. Similarly, you don't need a Ferrari to drive your kids to school (you can have it of course, but you can do the same spending a lot less).

Coefficient of Temperature:

This refers to the effect of heat on the efficiency of a solar panel after it has been installed. Because solar panels age more quickly when they are overheated, the lower the percentage per degree Celsius, the better.

Longevity:

This may be a sign of the manufacturer's faith in their goods. Solar panels in India usually come with a 25-year guarantee (as long as the company operates). If the manufacturer does not provide a lengthy warranty term, you may assume that their product is subpar and that they are unwilling to accept responsibility. In this instance, be wary of being seduced by a low price, as you may come to regret it in the long run.

Of course, appropriate maintenance is critical to extending the life of your solar panels. Fortunately, they are simple to maintain and need little upkeep.

Dimensions:

This is based on the physical size as well as the Watts size. You should ensure that you have enough room to build a solar panel system large enough to power all of your appliances, as well as that you have the necessary space. The actual size of the panel will vary based on the system's power (the higher the Watts, the larger the panel) and the kind of solar cells used to construct it.

A 4kW solar system is usually required for a typical home. Watts are directly linked to the pricing of the system and are proportional to the output of the panel (a 200 Watt panel will produce 200 Watt-hours per hour under ideal circumstances, whereas a 100 Watt panel would generate 100 Watt-hours).

The wattage of the solar panel is arguably the most essential item to get right, since underestimating it can result in a shortage of energy while overestimating it will result in spending more money than you need.

The Different Types of Solar Cells:

Solar panels come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each with different efficiency. Although their names may be perplexing, it is important to know at least the name so that you are not off-topic if your supplier mentions it.

Monocrystalline silicon has a compact footprint and great efficiency. It also has strong heat tolerance. Solar panels using polycrystalline (or multi-crystalline) silicon cells are currently the most common option for residential installations. Amorphous (or thin-film) silicon cells, which utilize the least amount of silicon and are inefficient, are also available. A crystalline panel will be smaller than an amorphous panel for the same power.

Important Considerations for Solar Panels for Residential Use in India

Conditions Of Installation And Venue

The orientation of the Solar Panels - Because India is situated in the northern hemisphere, the true south is the best orientation for getting the most out of the solar panels.

Solar panel  — The tilt of the solar panel is adjusted to ensure that sunlight hits the panel at a 90-degree angle. Seasonal changes affect the angle of incidence. Orientation, tilt and tracking all affect solar output.

Shading - When operating without shades, the solar equipment (crystalline) generates the highest output. When building solar PV systems, keep in mind the various kinds of shading. Make sure there aren't any obstacles in the way of the equipment's visibility.

Temperature - The outside temperature has a significant impact. It has an impact on the temperature of solar panels when calculating their production.

Economic Point of View

Consider your financial situation. When all other considerations are taken into account, choose a solar panel that fits your budget.

Solar Panels' Cost-Effectiveness

The amount of electrical output a solar panel can produce for the quantity of solar radiation falling on it per square metre is known as its efficiency. Consider a solar panel with a 14 percent efficiency and a surface area of 1.5 m2. If the quantity of solar radiation landing on this panel is 1000W/m2, it will be able to produce

210W = 1000 * 14 percent * 1.5

This panel will generate 210*5= 1050 Wh or 1.05kWh in a day if the energy falls for 5 hours. The quantity of energy produced per unit area will increase as efficiency improves. If you have limited room for solar panel installation, efficiency is important, and it is best to choose a higher efficiency solar panel in this situation.

Although efficiency is essential, cost efficiency, i.e. how much money do you spend for each Watt of electricity, is what counts at the end of the day.

The temperature of Solar Panels

The temperature of the solar panels has a significant impact on their production.

The temperature of a solar panel is determined by the amount of sunlight it receives.

Temperature Coefficient Of Solar Panels And Ambient Temperature

When the weather is very hot, the temperature of the solar panels rises, resulting in lower production. Solar panels, on the other hand, may operate more effectively in cold, sunny weather.

Manufacturers offer information on the impacts of temperature on solar panels in the form of a temperature coefficient of power rating.

Coefficient of Temperature

The temperature coefficient indicates the rate at which the power drops as the temperature rises by one degree.

The solar panels have a temperature coefficient of 0 to 0.5 percent. The greater the power output, the closer the value is to 0. The temperature of the panels is also affected by the Solar PV installation.

All of the solar panels have a temperature rating of 25 degrees Celsius. However, the temperature outdoors may reach considerably greater levels.

Ex:

Assume a 500W monocrystalline solar panel on a roof is at 50 degrees Celsius.

The power loss of a solar panel may be estimated as follows:

50°C minus 25°C equals 25°C

12.5 percent = 25 degrees C x -0.5 percent

As a result, panel power loss = 12.5% x 500W = 62.5W.

As a result, the panel's power is 437.5W.

The temperature of a solar panel depends on where it is placed. When solar panels are placed on a rooftop, they are exposed to much higher temperatures than the ambient temperature, resulting in lower production.

Warranty And Panel Quality

Panels may deteriorate over time as a result of weather and temperature changes, producing less energy. Each year, most solar panels lose approximately 1% of their power-producing capability.

The product warranty of a solar business indicates how much the company is prepared to stand behind its goods. SunPower's Combined Power and Product Warranty is the industry's best at 25 years. If a SunPower panel fails in the rare event that it fails, we will repair or replace it and reinstall it on your house.

When it comes to adopting solar, there are several essential things to consider. Performance, quality, and warranty are at the top of the list. You should also make certain that you get the panels from a trustworthy provider that will stand by its guarantee.

Solar Panels' Tolerance:

Under normal test circumstances, a solar panel rated at 100 Watts should produce at least 100 Watts. If the manufacturer claims that their panels have a +/- 5% tolerance, this implies that the same panel may produce 105 Watts (acceptable) or even 95 Watts (not acceptable). Ensure that your solar panel's datasheet always includes the phrase "positive tolerance."

The top factors to consider when selecting solar panels in India for a business/ commercial project

Many commercial businesses across a broad variety of sectors are cutting expenses by installing solar panels that transform sunshine into usable energy. Businesses gain a substantial financial edge in an increasingly competitive global market by shifting away from conventional sources of fossil fuels and adopting a clean, renewable energy source like solar power. They also decrease their carbon impact.

A shoe factory or an almond grower may choose to invest in a solar system for a variety of reasons. One small-business owner may decide to install a few low-cost solar panels only to reduce overhead expenses and increase earnings. A large corporation's board of directors may wish to utilise its huge solar array as a marketing tool to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable energy to consumers.

Whatever the cause, there are many factors to consider when purchasing a solar system for business use.

"By lowering the energy demand of a structure, the owners may install a smaller, less costly solar system."

Increasing energy efficiency

It's critical for the host building to adopt as many energy-saving measures as feasible before installing the solar system, according to Better Buildings Solution Center. The solar PV system's full potential may be realised by increasing the building's energy efficiency and lowering total demand. Furthermore, since the building's energy demand is reduced, the owners may install a smaller and less costly solar system.

Financial limitations

Unlike residential or utility-scale solar systems, which have their own set of concerns, a commercial business must depend on a slew of other financial variables that influence the size, scope, and ultimate success or failure of a PV solar system. While the primary goal of a utility-scale project is to produce and sell energy, a commercial business must prioritise its own products and services. As the sales department or marketing team competes for a larger budget allocation or more people, this may leave solar projects underfunded and understaffed, depleting the company's energy project resources.

Long-term return on investment

Commercial solar project teams are often required to justify the long-term investment in solar system performance with little data available other than basic facts. While the advantages of solar energy will become apparent over time, some commercial property owners are looking for quick returns and profitability. Members of the project team should be prepared to provide comprehensive financial projections that demonstrate the company's overall cost savings from solar energy over time.

The method of payment

One of the primary goals in evaluating budgetary considerations is whether the project will purchase the PV system with a loan or with its funds. This element has the potential to have a significant effect on the company's overall return on investment. When a business funds a solar system project with its own money, it guarantees that the project has the best chance of succeeding. Unfortunately, not every business has the financial resources to fund a project with their funds, and many must turn to other sources of funding, such as a solar loan. Lenders provide secured and unsecured loans to businesses, and various businesses will have varying degrees of access to this credit line. The bankability of the solar manufacturer is one of the most significant considerations when getting a solar loan. Working with a business like Trina Solar, which was recently named a Tier 1 operation by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, gives lenders more motivation to accept a solar loan since they know Trina will be there for a long time.

Tax benefits

The investment tax credit for both commercial and residential systems was extended for another five years by the United States Congress. This enables businesses to continue to benefit from this lucrative tax credit when they install a solar system. In addition, many other towns and local governments provide tax advantages to businesses that install solar PV systems. Companies that install solar panels may be eligible for a substantial tax credit depending on their location.

Purchase agreements for solar energy

Small-business owners that operate on razor-thin profit margins may believe that solar panels are too expensive. Commercial businesses, as revenue-generating entities, have additional financing alternatives, ranging from leasing solar equipment to receiving grants. A solar power purchase agreement (PPA) is one such option, in which a developer pays for the design, permitting, financing, and installation of a solar system on a customer's property. Business owners may save money on their energy costs by signing a solar power purchase agreement since the PPA rate is usually cheaper than the utility bill.

Obtaining funding

Aside from financial alternatives, there are several government incentives available to small company entrepreneurs. The US Department of Energy provides a range of incentives to commercial building owners who want to install solar panels and save money on their energy bills.

8. Promotional approach

To create new leads, increase market share, and eventually grow the business, most commercial initiatives use some kind of marketing strategy. Owners are constantly searching for new and creative methods to promote their businesses, whether it's running local commercials, purchasing radio advertising, publishing material on the Internet, or just hitting up the networking circuit.

Consumers of all ages are ready to pay extra for businesses that offer sustainable products, according to a new Nielsen global online poll. According to the study, almost 75% of millennials and 51% of baby boomers said they would pay more for businesses that offered sustainable products. Solar panels and a commitment to environmental stewardship may be included in commercial marketing efforts.

Maintenance as a preventative measure

Although solar panels are built to last, they must be maintained regularly due to their continuous exposure to the weather. Managers of commercial businesses should not wait until a problem occurs with their systems, unlike residential systems, which are usually smaller and depend on reactive maintenance.

Conclusion:

The purpose of this post was to discuss the key elements to consider before deciding on the kind of solar panels in India that would best fit your needs.

The following are essential things to consider:

• Your objectives
• Approvals / Certifications / Panel Quality and Warranty
• Solar Panel Temperature Coefficient
• Solar panels' efficiency
• Solar panels' tolerance

Power outages and excessive energy costs will never be an issue for business owners or homeowners. If the system is working well and the owner is saving money on his energy bills, he may simply extend the solar system in the future.