Frequently Asked Questions

Solar Rooftop System

A solar rooftop system is a package of many components that helps to convert sunlight into electricity for the working if various electric appliances.

The components of rooftop solar consist of,

• Solar panels with PV cells

• Solar inverter

• Solar panel mounting structure

• AC and DC cables

• AC combiner box

• DC combiner box

• Earthing cables

• MC4 connectors

A solar rooftop system works on the basis converting sunlight into electricity, which is a phenomenon called photovoltaic effect.

When sunlight falls on the PV cells in a solar panel, the sunlight is converted into electricity. The generated power is DC current, then solar inverter is used to convert that DC power into usable AC power.

The AC power is fed into a bidirectional metre that supplies power to the house. It also exports excess power to the DISCOM (grid) and imports power from the grid if electricity generated by the rooftop solar system is not enough to cover the daily requirement.

The best direction to face solar panels is south, where receive the maximum sunlight. East and West directions also use according to the roofing and it works well. North is the only direction that you must avoid to place the panels on.

The amount of square feet (sq. ft.) space required on a rooftop for installing a 1 kW (kilowatt) solar photovoltaic (PV) system can vary depending on several factors:

• Efficiency of Solar Panels: The efficiency of solar panels can impact the space required. Higher efficiency panels can generate more power per unit area, reducing the space needed for a 1 kW system.

• Panel Type and Technology: Different types of solar panels (monocrystalline, polycrystalline, thin-film) have varying space requirements due to their design and efficiency levels.

• Tilt Angle and Orientation: The tilt angle and orientation of solar panels on the rooftop can affect spacing requirements and overall system performance based on sunlight exposure.

• Shading and Obstructions: Shading from nearby buildings, trees, or obstructions can reduce the effective sunlight reaching the panels, necessitating more space to achieve desired power output.

• System Design and Components: Mounting systems, inverters, wiring, and other components also influence space requirements.

• As a rough estimate:

 Standard Efficiency Panels (Polycrystalline or Monocrystalline): On average, standard efficiency solar panels require about 100-150 square feet of space per 1 kW of installed capacity. This estimate can vary based on factors such as panel dimensions and specific manufacturer specifications.

 High Efficiency Panels (Monocrystalline PERC, HIT, etc.): High-efficiency solar panels can produce more power in a smaller area compared to standard efficiency panels. As a result, they typically require around 80-120 square feet of space per 1 kW of installed capacity.

 Thin-Film Panels (CIGS, CdTe, etc.): Thin-film solar panels generally have lower efficiencies compared to crystalline silicon panels but may require less space. They can require anywhere from 150-200 square feet of space per 1 kW of installed capacity.

Solar power Plant-Service Charge

"As per the recent GST council notification, we would like to inform you about the guidelines regarding the calculation of service charges. According to the notification, the value of supply of goods shall be deemed as 70 per cent of the gross consideration charged for all such supplies, and the remaining 30 per cent of the gross consideration shall be deemed as the value of the taxable service provided."

Subsidy

The PM – Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana subsidy is a financial incentive provided by the Government of India to promote the adoption of renewable energy technologies, particularly in the solar sector. The PM Surya Ghar Yojana offers various subsidies and incentives to individuals, businesses, and organizations for installing solar power systems and other renewable energy systems.

Let us check the eligibility for the solar panel subsidy of PM Surya Ghar Yojana. i. The pmsuryagharyojana.in subsidy is exclusively available to individuals who have a residential connection. Therefore, if you want to get the PM Surya Ghar Yojana subsidy, you must have a residential connection. ii. Only the owner of the consumer number can claim the subsidy.So make sure that you are the consumer number holder. iii. Additionally, you will get the subsidy only if you register using the current procedure. If you have built an on-grid system in the past, then you are ineligible for the solar panel subsidy. Now let us glance over the eligibility for solar panel subsidy of the KSEB. i. The KSEB offer subsidy to people, companies, and organizations in Kerala to install solar panel systems for power generation. ii. If you are a resident of Kerala, you are eligible to apply for the solar panel subsidy. Moreover, you should have a valid KSEB electricity connection. iii. The solar panel installation must be located in Kerala for commercial as well as residential buildings. iv. If you want to claim the subsidy, an authorized installer should install your rooftop solar panel system.

Once you decide on the solar panel installation, you can apply through the PM Surya Ghar Yojana portal for PM Surya Ghar Yojana subsidies or the KSEB website for KSEB subsidies. The first and foremost thing is to make sure that your solar panel system fits the requirements of the subsidy program. The specifications for the solar panel system’s capacity and installation style are included in the program. Then a certified installer can navigate you through the process. Therefore collaborating with a licensed installer will speed things up. The final step entails applying for the subsidy.

Visit the National Portal of PM Surya Ghar Yojana at www.pmsuryagharyojana.in on the PM Surya Ghar Yojana website to register for the subsidy. The website offers a one-stop registration portal and all the relevant information. You must download the Central Government’s SANDES messaging app to finish the registration process. Further, you have the option of registering independently or using your dealer’s help to ease the process. Since it is a Direct Bank Transfer program, the subsidy amount will be disbursed to your bank account after the installation.

Inverters

  1. String Inverters:
  2. a String inverters are the most common type of inverters used in solar PV systems. b. They are cost-effective and suitable for installations with uniform shading and consistent sunlight exposure.
  3. Microinverters: a. Microinverters are installed on each individual solar panel, offering panel-level optimization. b. They are ideal for installations with shading or complex roof layouts, as they maximize energy production even in challenging conditions.
  4. Power Optimizers: a. Power optimizers are installed at the panel level, similar to microinverters, but they work in conjunction with a central string inverter. b. This hybrid approach combines the benefits of panel-level optimization with the cost-effectiveness of string inverters.

Central (or string) inverters work by linking your solar panels together with strings. These strings are then connected to a single inverter. Sofar inverters are traditional string-based system, A string inverter functions in a series circuit. Its main advantages are, easy installation and cost reduction. Main disadvantage of these inverters is low performance in partial shading and become more complex while system upgradation, also string inverter has warrantied up 8 to 10 years, whereas microinverters have extendable warranty up to 25 years. Enphase inverters are working on the basis of microinverters, each micro-inverter is connected to a single solar panel for maximum control and reliability, while SolarEdge is working with the help of power optimizer which is connected to each panel. In the case of efficiency, SolarEdge perform better in partial shading and complicated rooftop layouts. These two types have high installation cost and replacement cost.

Installation

After site visit and designing process, we will move to installation process. So, it will take around 1 week. Our technicians and other workers are well trained for this, so they will finish it within the time and budget that already shared by us before installation.

Yes, it is possible only if the consumer number of both the electricity bills are same

Up to 20 kw for residential connection and maximum 75% of transformer capacity.

Solar Panels

No, they are not, solar panels with premium quality, like the panels used by Stergy Cleantech, are premium branded, long lasting and water proof, and do not have any moving parts. This provides them the strength to hold the all kinds of external pressures like, wind, dust, rain etc. Wrong installation, immense pressure or lack of care to the panels, may leads to losing its immunity, so best you can do is to give good and regular maintenance.

Use night time to clean your panels as there is no light incident which cause panel to start conducting electricity. You can use a wet cloth to wipe the panels and make sure the moisture is not stick on the panels. Depending on the season how often need cleaning, in summer you have to clean your panels more often because of more dust in the air, less in rainy season. Do not try to clean the panel wirings.

Solar panels have a long lifespan and can last for several decades. Most solar panel manufacturers provide warranties ranging from 25 to 28 years

The best solar panel system depends on your needs, budget, and location. Consider factors like efficiency, cost, brand reputation, system size, installation quality, location, incentives, and warranties when making your choice.

The number of solar panels needed to power a house depends on various factors, including the location, energy consumption, panel efficiency, and available sunlight. On average, a typical home might require anywhere from 9 to 15 solar panels to generate enough electricity to cover its energy needs.

If you have a limited budget, monofacial solar panels are good to consider. On the other hand, bifacial panels are expensive but accommodate modern technology. So, you can choose this if you appraise the latest technology and aesthetics.

Solar panels require minimal maintenance. Regularly cleaning the panels to remove dirt, dust, and debris can help optimize their performance.