Can you run a house completely on Solar Power?

20 February 2021

8 min read | By admin

An answer to the question, whether you can run a house completely on solar power is yes! Especially in a country like India where we receive abundant sunshine throughout the year, it is convenient and beneficial to have residential solar systems.

Going completely solar you can reap good benefits but there can also be some potential drawbacks which are inadvertently attached to it. The best part about generating electricity through solar power is that it is completely free! The initial investment involves setting up the solar system can be a bit high depending upon your requirement. Solar power is quite efficient and is also free of pollution. But you must also consider the chances of foul weather that might cause a problem to your plans.

TYPES OF SOLAR SYSTEM:

There are two types of solar systems namely off-grid solar system and on-grid solar systems.

Off-grid solar systems:

Off-grid solar systems are the ones that work independently off the grid and have batteries which can store the solar power generated by the system. The system consists of batteries, solar panels, grid box, charge controller, mounting structures, and balance of the system. But there is always a chance of an extended bad weather condition might cause problems for your electricity supply.

On-grid solar system:

In On-grid solar system, if your system produces more power than is required, then the surplus can be fed back into the main electrical grid with the help of solar net metering and you can get credited for the same. Similarly, you can also use the traditional grid provided power during the situations when your system is not producing enough power.

UNDERSTANDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE:

While planning to run your house completely on the solar power, you need to also understand the financial and mental investment required. The infrastructure and working of a solar system are slightly complicated and hence the calculations involved should be precise. With the help of careful routing of a home’s plumbing, you can get hot water heated by the sun and since it is pumped through the house, the heat dissipated can be used to control the temperature of the house. The heat generated in this manner would also not add up to the home’s electric consumption. Although it might be a challenge to execute, in the year 2007, a successful experiment had shown how to heat and cool the house using a solar radiant heat system!

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

Before finalizing to go completely solar, the first point to be considered is whether your house gets enough sunlight throughout the year to produce enough electricity. If your requirement is to run an 800-watt load for your home or less than 800-watt then 1kW solar panel is perfect for you. The solar panel installation requires 100 square feet of shade free roof space and to run the load, the first priority would be given to the solar system and second priority would be the grid or batteries. 1kW solar panel price in India for home depends upon the type of solar system.

The different types of 1kW solar systems include:

1. On-Grid Solar System:

Also known as grid-tied system as it connects with the grid electricity system. The solar system with 1kW capacity produces 4-6 units per day on an average. Solar net-metering is installed which reads how much electricity you are using and the balance which can be exported to the grid. All the adjustments are made in your upcoming bills by the government.

2. Off-Grid Solar System:

Off-grid solar system or stand-alone power system is also known as a solar battery-based system. This system has a battery as a backup which helps you store the solar power which can be used during power cuts when the sunlight is not available.

3. Hybrid Solar System:

Hybrid solar system is designed to have the functions of both the off-grid solar system and on-grid solar system. Basically, a hybrid solar system has three sources to run its load – solar energy, battery storage, and grid electricity. The best part about a hybrid solar system is that it stays connected with the government electricity grid and has batteries as a backup. It is most suitable for people living in areas that witness more power cuts, due to frequent rainfalls. The approximate cost of 1kW solar panel with battery storage in India ranges anywhere between Rs.80,000 to Rs. 1,50,000, including installation. While calculating the price also check whether you are eligible for the government subsidy ranging from 10% to 40%.

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Personal Guide to install solar at home: Part 5- Rooftop Solar Panel Installation, Warranty and Maintenance

29 January 2021

14 min read | By admin

In the previous parts of our blog series, we discussed about receiving your solar proposal, documentation and the types of permits. Here is the final part of a five-part ‘Personal Guide to Installing Solar at Home’ series. This article will be covering the installation process, as well as the warranties and maintenance.

Step 9: Installation

Once you’re done with confirming the proposal , site visits, permit work and planning, the actual rooftop solar panel installation will only take a few days of work. If you are installing an on-grid system with net metering, the process will take additional time. While the decision process for rooftop solar panel installation can take a while, the installation time frame is quick and simple. The actual day when your rooftop solar panel installation starts will be exciting.

1) Set-Up

The solar installer you chose will start by preparing your roof and ensuring the shingles or tiles are attached correctly. They will set up a temporary structure used to support the work crew and materials to help in the process. It helps to take care of safety during the whole rooftop solar panel installation process.

2) Solar Panel Mounts

Then, the installer will set up the solar panel mounting system. It will support the base of the solar modules. It’s the only piece of equipment which is attached to your roof. The entire mounting arrangement must have a tilt and have an angle between eighteen to thirty-six degrees to have most sunlight exposure.

3) Solar Panel Installation

After the installer sets up the mounts, the solar module itself has to be installed on the mounting structure. They should make sure to tighten up all the bolts and nuts so that it stays firm and steady. The panels are mounted on the racking when they are firmly connected to the racking.

solar panel installation

4) Wiring

Then, they put in electrical wiring that will connect to your electrical panel and the general power system. MC4 connectors are predominantly used as wiring for solar modules. During the wiring installation, the company must ensure that the electricity supply from the grid to home is turned off .

5) Solar Inverter

Once the electrical wiring is done, the installer should link the solar inverter to the system. The inverter(s) are connected to the modules to convert direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) energy which is used in households and on the grid. The solar inverter may be used indoors or outdoors and is normally placed near the main system.
Inverters stored in a spot that is not too hot are often more efficient. If kept outside, the inverter should be kept out from the afternoon sun. If installed indoors, the garage or utility room is typically the most reliable location as they remain cool for most of the year with ventilation.

6) Solar Battery

If you opt for an off-grid solar system, a battery is necessary since it is used to store backup power ,which is connected with the solar inverter.

7) Grid Connection

To link the inverter to the grid, the installer will have to simply plug it in the main power switchboard, so that it receives power from the grid. The output wire should also be connected with a board that is supplying electricity at home. To determine the excess energy generated from the solar system, the installer needs to install a metering device.
The installation time will range from 1 to 3 days, subject to the size of the system you are installing. Net-metering can add time to your installation process . If your installer needs to add a power meter for net-metering, it might add a few hours to your solar installation.

8) Consumer Unit

The inverter should be linked to the consumer unit (known as the distribution or fuse board) to generate electricity. To observe the amount of electricity the solar modules generate, a generation meter should also be connected . To evaluate your solar systems’ performance, you can check on the HomeScapes’ remote monitoring app.
For instance, you can check the electricity generation data and decide the appropriate time for using your dryer or other utilities. It will also show the import and export of the power happening due to the net-meter.

Step 10: Warranty and Maintenance

Warranty

The final step with significant aspect is the warranty of the solar power system. Warranties for solar panels protect your solar investment and are an integral part of any rooftop solar panel installation. There are two kinds of warranties that keep your modules covered, and knowing the differences between them is vital to make sure you get the most suitable agreement for your solar energy system.
The two types of warranties are:

Product (or materials) warranty
The performance warranty

A product warranty of solar modules covers the panel itself and guards you against obstacles like manufacturing defects, environmental issues and unanticipated wear & tear. A material warranty will typically guarantee 10 to 12 years without the modules failing.
The performance warranty will ensure 90% production at ten years and 80% at twenty-five years. As with most guarantees, more the period, the more it is advantageous to you. The solar inverters come with a 5 year warranty which can be increased by AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract).
Warranties, are a very confusing topic for some solar owners. However, there is nothing to worry as HomeScape provides hassle-free warranty management. We have AMC packages which cover up to the lifetime of the product. You can buy it to safeguard your whole solar system. We present the best-in-class warranty on all parts. In case of failures, you can contact us without having to run to the manufacturer.

Maintenance

As opposed to many other technologies generating power, solar photovoltaic systems have low maintenance and service requirements. However, proper upkeep of a solar plant is necessary to optimize energy yield and maximize the life of the system. Some of the maintenance activities include module cleaning once in 15 days (dust, bird dropping, and other debris can cause a decrease in power generation).

Maintenance activities

The other items to take care of include::

Checking module connection integrity
Checking junction/string combiner boxes
Inspecting mechanical integrity of mounting structures
Vegetation control
Tightening cable connections that have loosened
Replacing blown fuses
Repairing equipment damaged during module cleaning or intruders.

Maintenance activities

Homescape Remote Monitoring System:

At HomeScape, we have designed an RMS (Remote Monitoring System) called HomeScape Solar, which is IoT based, to keep a record of the performance of your solar plant. The application can be found in Android and iOS.
It helps with the following functions:

Notification alarm– If the plant, inverter or any component is not working properly, the HomeScape Solar app sends you a notification.
Various plant parameters – Solar energy generation, solar energy consumption, units fed back to the grid, savings and contribution to the environment can be viewed.
Plant performance– The performance of the solar system can be seen at different time scales: daily, monthly, annually or between any pair of dates.
String monitoring– You will be able to take a look at all the parts of the system with the help of our app.

In essence, we highlighted how the solar system installation takes place starting from setting up, installing the mounts, solar panels, wiring, inverters, batteries, connection to the grid and consumer unit. We have also discussed about the significance of solar warranties and upkeep. Many of the solar companies, including HomeScape, offer a warranty on solar panels as long as 25 years.
With this article, we conclude our ‘Personal Guide to Installing Solar at Home’ series. It is now time for you to switch to the most eco-friendly option by installing solar systems for rooftops for power generation and use!
Save your money and help the world as well. Be prepared for a world which will soon switch to solar power!

Read about previous parts of the five-part series here:
Part 1- https://homescape.solar/personal-guide-to-install-solar-at-home-part-1-system-type/
Part 2- https://homescape.solar/personal-guide-to-install-solar-at-home-part-2-system-type-and-budgeting/
Part 3- https://homescape.solar/personal-guide-to-install-solar-at-home-part-3-choosing-the-solar-installation-company-and-site-survey/
Part 4- https://homescape.solar/personal-guide-to-install-solar-at-home-part-4-proposal-and-documentation/

Rooftop Solar

Estimated Price of 1kW Solar System for Homes

01 August 2019

9 min read | By admin

Rooftop Solar Solar Energy

Off-Grid vs On-Grid Solar Power System

24 June 2019

10 min read | By HomeScape Team

With the increasing cost of electricity and power, a number of businesses and homeowners are shifting to the solar power system. Solar Power is the key for clean energy; everyday sun gives far more energy than we need to power everything on earth and it won’t run out anytime soon. A solar power system converts sunlight to electricity with the use of solar panels placed either on the rooftop or flat surface. Are you also planning to get a solar power system installed on your roof? To get it installed, we need to understand the key differences between on-grid and off-grid solar power system for home.

On-grid Solar Power System

On-grid Solar/Grid-Tied Solar Power Systems generate power using solar energy from sunlight and feed it directly to the house and grid. On-grid solar systems generate energy only when there the electricity grid is working and is directly connected to the grid. These systems send excess power generated by the solar power system to the electricity grid with the help of net metering and consumers get compensated for the extra power generated. In the case when there is not enough sunlight to meet your household needs, the system runs on the power supplied by the grid. These are the most cost-effective and simplest systems to install. Such systems will pay for themselves by offsetting the bills in 4-6 years. The biggest disadvantage of an on-grid system is that it does not provide power when there is no supply from the grid (no electricity). On-grid solar systems generally need solar panels along with a mounting system, solar cables and MC4 connectors, grid-tied solar inverter and monitor, AC and DC safety isolator switches, and grounding earth cables and clamps.

Advantages of going with Grid-Tied Solar Power System:

The on-grid solar power system will reduce the electricity bills and would also help in payback with respect to the extra units fed to the grid with the help of net metering (depends on State Solar Policies)
On-Grid Solar Power system fully utilizes the solar in first priority and the remaining power is taken from the grid
The lifespan of an on-grid solar power system is of 25 Years. You can use it for a long period without any damage and without changing the equipment.
This system will reduce the carbon footprint, thus help our environment grow pollution-free.
There is no need for expensive batteries to store the electricity.
The on-grid solar power system has a payback period of around 5 years. After that, you get free power for more than 20 years.

Grid-tied Solar Power System comes with few limitations which could hamper the generation:

After the sun sets, a grid-tied system is unable to generate energy as it directly connected to the grid and has no backup.
In an area where the electricity cut off is frequent, a grid-tied system is not successful as it’s not able to generate the optimum amount of energy.
In the case of grid failure, your system is shut down and any energy generated is wasted.

Off-Grid Solar Power System

Off-Grid Solar Power Systems do not need to be connected to mains power. An off-grid system is not connected to the electricity grid and therefore requires battery storage to provide electricity on days when the solar panels generate less electricity than is required, e.g. at night time or on cloudy days. The idea is that at times when the system provides more electricity than required the surplus can be used to recharge the batteries. However, the cost of the battery makes an off-grid power system much costlier than the grid-tied system, so its recommended in the remote areas far from the electricity grid or an area which has frequent electricity cut-off. As there is no connection with the electricity grid, the excess power generated is fed back to the battery bank. Once the battery back up consumes units to its full capacity, it stops receiving units from the solar power system. So, if you’re still contemplating whether or not you should buy an off-grid solar system, take the following benefits and limitation into consideration:

Access to Electricity No Matter What

Some areas are prone to blackouts, while others don’t have access to electricity at all.. Since you aren’t connected to the grid, you can have peace of mind knowing everything will operate as intended.

Your home becomes energy sufficient

Back in the day, when we did not have access to the grid, there was no option to generate and save energy. With the off-grid system, we can have electricity 24/7, with the help of battery back up. Having sufficient energy to your home adds a layer of security. Moreover, you will never be affected by power failures because you have a standalone source at home. However, having battery back up will add cost to the solar power system by 40% which will increase the payback period. Also, batteries need to be replaced in around 5 years, adding a recurring cost to the system.

What should I choose?

Choosing between an on-grid and an off-grid solar system fundamentally comes down to whether or not you have access to the grid. If you don’t have access to the grid or there is continuous electricity cut off in your area, Off-Grid System is the only and best option for you. However, if you have access to electricity Grid, installing an on-grid system is preferred. This is because of the net metering system with grid-tied which offers more efficiency and unlimited storage of energy through the grid. You get benefitted from DISCOMs through net-metering which brings down the PAYBACK period and this makes your investment a smart investment. You can see Net-Metering for more information.