What important things to know before solar installation?

As discussed in the article the different types of solar PV systems, the ideal configuration depends on your location, budget and your renewable energy goals. First, you should consider the following checklist before going for the solar PV installation:

• Are you interested in the clean energy ?
• Are you already on grid supply ?
• Are there infrequent power cut at your location ?
• Do you have location at your place to mount the solar panels ?

If answer to the all the above questions is “yes” then grid tied solar PV system is ideal for you.
The battery-less grid tied system is easy to understand and implement. Also, it is more economical than grid tied system with battery back-up. Moreover, these systems offer the payback very fast, which we will discuss in subsequent articles.
Here the main goal is to reduce the electricity usage through grid supply so as to lower down your monthly electricity bill. The main drawback of this system is that you cannot run your appliances during night. Our solar system runs only when there is sunlight.

• Annual energy units consumption is the first step to determine the size of your PV array.
• There are other factors which impact the size of the PV array like shade free mounting area which is a primary constraint in the residential areas. Moreover there should be minimum gap between the panels to allow air to pass through so as to cool off the panels and to clean the panels.
• The availability of the shade free space for the mounting the panels is one of deciding factor in the determining the size of the PV array.
• Another factor is the budget, which limit the size of the solar panels. Currently, the cost of installation is in the range of Rs. 80-90 per watt for the solar PV system without battery backup. This includes the cost of the PV modules, charge controller, inverter, wires for connection, taxes, transportation & installation and the incentive from the ministry.
• Understand the basic function of the important components in your solar PV system.

1. Solar Panel: It converts solar energy into the electrical current. The electrical current is direct in nature which is called DC current.
2. Charge controller: Its main function is to limit the excess current, which gets generated during over heating of the panels, to protect against the over voltage which may damage the electrical appliances.
3. Inverter: As most of the house hold appliances run on the ac current and the current generated by the solar panels are direct in nature. Therefore, it is important to convert this direct current into the alternating current.The inverter performs this function i.e. it converts direct current into the alternating current.

This awareness of the basic functions of the important components will help you in understanding your solar system in a better way.

• Solar Insolation is also the important parameter which has an impact over the sizing of the PV array. The solar insolation is the total amount of sun energy received at a particular region or location over a specified period of time. The more is the solar radiation the lesser is the size of the PV module required. The solar panels installed in Jaipur, with solar insolation of 5.8 - 6 KWhr per square meter daily, will produce the same amount electricity as that of solar panels installed in Itanagar with solar insolation of 4.6 KWhr per square metre daily but with 25% reduction in the cost of the PV modules.

The sizing of the PV array depends on the above mentioned major parameters. Further, the specifications of your charge controller and inverter is related to the sizing of your panels.
So whenever you are planning to implement the solar PV system at your home, consider the following aspects:

• Electricity consumed by you on daily basis
• Availability of shade free space
• Your budget
• Understanding of the basic functioning of the system
• Location & Solar Insolation.

This will make your installation process easy and fast.
It is true that solar panels once installed require very little maintenance and their operating life is in the range of 20-25 years. So, you can enjoy the benefit of sunlight for many years after installation but yes with little efforts.
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