FAQ
About 10sq.m or 100 square foot area is required to set up 1 kWp grid connected rooftop solar system .A site with 5 kW installation, space required is less than 500 Sqft.
As a thumb rule, a 1 kWp plant will generate about 4 kWh (units) of electricity in a day.It depends on few factors:
- Depends on the location
- Depends on Panel Efficiency
- Depends on Installation and Ambient temperature
The average cost of grid connected rooftop solar systems is about ₹70 per watt or ₹6.0 crore per MW capacity.
The average cost of off grid rooftop solar systems is about ₹90 – ₹140 per watt depending upon battery AH as per back up time required
- Solar PV Modules (panels)
- Mounting Structures.
- Inverters
- Batteries
- Charge Controllers
- AC, DC Cables, Junction Box
No. Batteries are compulsory for solar systems is just another myth about solar. Solar On Grid System with Net Metering is most cost effective solar solution in the market
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On Grid Solar |
Off-Grid or Hybrid Solar |
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Pros Low maintenance &Simple design Easy integration for net-metering. All appliances can work on it, since wiring does not need to change. |
Pros In areas with unreliable power, people often have batteries and an inverter system for more steady electricity. Solar power can be added to charge batteries faster when grid-power is present, and to power appliances when it is not. |
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Cons In case of power cuts, solar electricity cannot be used, since it depends on a reference voltage from grid power. |
Cons Separate wiring for the solar system, so typically only a few appliances are hooked up to use that electricity. |
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Best used for An on-grid system is ideal when you would like to lower your electricity bills, and do not need power backup. |
Best used for An off-grid system is best suited if you have unreliable electricity and are looking to decrease disruption to your life due to that. |
- Almost negligible
- The maintenance activities include cleaning the panels with water and a dry cloth
- The maintenance activities should be done once in 2 – 3 weeks depending upon location
- Solar panels – 25 years
- 10 years manufacturer’s warranty
- 90% performance warranty of rated power output for first 10 years
- 80% of rated power output for the next 15 years
- Solar inverters – 5 years
- Solar batteries – 5 years
Yes. Solar Projects are funded by PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS at HOME LOAN interest rates of less than 10%.
Yes. Solar Panels require light energy and not the heat energy to function
Heat affects the panel efficiency due to temperature losses. The temperature losses are less in winter which increases the performance ratio of the solar panels.
The sun is in south direction during peak hours (10 am -3 pm ) of generation. Hence, panels should be south facing
Angle of the solar panels depends on the city and location. Example in Kolkata – Minimum angle is 20⁰ – 25⁰
Weight of solar Panels varies depending upon the rating. It ranges from 4.5 kg -25 kg per module.
The following steps are involved in a rooftop installation-
- Site visit to understand location and the project details.
- Providing multiple installation options to customer.
- Close on final system design and cost with customer.
- Deliver all installation material at the site.
- Construction of rooftop solar system.
- Obtain required approvals from local electricity utility.
- Install net-metering to get the system on the grid.
- The solar system is up and running.
The construction of the system is done by a certified local Switiching AVO partner. They closely work with Switiching AVO to install the system as per the decided design. The Switiching AVO partners have along and credible history in the field of solar installations and a re steeped in the Switiching AVO way of no-stress solar installations
From the time of sales confirmation (advance payment), it normally takes 3-4 weeks for the installation to start. The on-site construction phase takes typically 7 days for residential projects, and 1-2 months for larger commercial projects.
The time required for obtaining utility permissions is ever-evolving, and varies across states and regions:
The time required for obtaining utility permissions is ever-evolving, and varies across states and regions:
- In Telangana and NCR, the utility permission phase is completed in 2-3 weeks.
- In Karnataka, it typically ranges from 4-6 weeks.
- In Maharashtra,it ranges between 2-6 weeks.
For the standard installation, where the solar system is integrated with the electricity grid, the local electricity utility needs to review and approve the project. All utility companies provide clear guidelines on what information they need to review and approve.
Broadly, what the utility companies need to ensure is that the local grid is able to handle the additional electricity it receives from the solar system. And in order to do that, they need to look at:
Broadly, what the utility companies need to ensure is that the local grid is able to handle the additional electricity it receives from the solar system. And in order to do that, they need to look at:
- The project size
- The sanctioned / contracted load
- Current load on the local transformer
Net metering is the process by which the solar energy generated can be seamlessly pushed into the main power grid. This is necessary to obtain the benefits of solar – zero / reduced electricity costs, and zero carbon footprint.
Switing AVO helps customer through the application and review process with the local utility company, till the new bi-directional meter is installed.
Once that the project is approved, they provide an updated bi-directional meter which has to be fitted into the main grid. The time required for obtaining utility permissions is ever-evolving, and varies across states and regions:
Once that the project is approved, they provide an updated bi-directional meter which has to be fitted into the main grid. The time required for obtaining utility permissions is ever-evolving, and varies across states and regions:
- In Telangana and NCR, the utility permission phase is completed in 2-3 weeks.
- In Karnataka, it typically ranges from 4-6 weeks.
- In Maharashtra, it depends on the utility company and the city, and ranges between 2-6 weeks.
No, it causes no damage to the roof. Rooftop systems are very durable, and have an average lifetime of 25 years. During this period, if roof work ever has to be done, the rooftop system can be easily dismantled and reassembled. So, future roof work is always possible.
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