Residential Rooftop Solar Panels 8

It’s a known fact that fossil fuels still generate the bulk of power requirement in India. But steadily the fact that fossil fuels are major polluting factors is donning on the policy makers. As such a plan was mooted that called for increasing the usage of solar power, a source of energy that is not only freely available but also does not cause any pollution. Keeping up with that idea Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (2004-2014) launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission or simply the National Solar Mission.

The idea behind National Solar Mission was to promote the use of solar power by setting up numerous mega solar parks across the country as well as promote the establishment of residential rooftop solar power units across cities, towns and villages. A 5-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system can meet electricity requirement of 2/3 of a typical household for the whole year. Any household can get off-grid solar power rooftop systems installed on their building roofs via MNRE channel partners to avail government subsidy.

In keeping with global trend of increase in solar power production using solar panel & others from 24,000 MW in 2010 to 40,000 MW in 2014, the government aimed is to produce 100 GW of solar power by 2022 in India. The policy calls for 60GW in utility installation and 40 GW in rooftop, with half of it in rooftop solar being residential.

Solar panels generate electricity without releasing any carbon dioxide or other harmful gases into the environment; don’t emit wastes associated with other fossil fuels like coal such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury, lead, and arsenic. Solar power also has no long-lasting environmental risks similar to nuclear power or natural gas, and most of all doesn’t pollute water. Advantages like reduction in prices, finance option, networks of solar panel installers have driven down the prices of solar power systems, but increase in installations will help further cut cost for homeowners.

Cost Savings By Installing Rooftop Solar Panels

1. Savings from Solar Energy Plan :- The solar rooftop system once installed saves lot of money spend on monthly electricity bills.

2. Potential for Savings from Surging Power Prices :- As some of the power is met through rooftop installation, you are saved from surging electricity tariff.

3. Tax Savings from Depreciation on Solar Power System (applicable only for business owners) :- You can claim 80% of depreciation on your solar power system which saves a lot of tax money.

4. Energy Independence

5. Low Maintenance :- Just a weekly wipe on the panels will help you maintain the entire system.

6. Green Factor :- You can do your bit to the environment by using solar energy at your place.

Types of Rooftop Solar Panels

Rooftop mounted solar panels used in roofs of residential flats & houses are available in various types of mounts. Solar panels mounted on top of roofs are the least expensive way to install solar panels as it helps steers clear of shade caused by trees and neighbors house. There are 4 types of rooftop mounting systems in common use:

Rack Mount: In rack mount the solar panels are held together by a metal framework that is specifically designed for easy attachment and detachment of solar panels. The solar panels are parallel to the roof surface.

Standoff Mount: In standoff mount the solar panels are supported by frame built above the roof. The angles are adjusted in such a way that the solar panels aren’t parallel to the roof. Not aesthetically pleasant looking standoff mounts can generate better power than rack mounted panels. Standoff mounts are usually used in homes that encounter too much shade on southern side while there is too much sun on northern side.

Direct Mount: In direct mount the solar panels are attached directly on to the roof. There is no air gap between the roof and solar panels, means there is no cooling. Though the cost of the rack mount is saved but the solar power production suffers.

Integrated Mount: In integrated mount or BIPV (Building Integrated PV) the solar panels replace the traditional roofing materials and the solar panels are attached directly to the roof’s rafters. This way solar panels help save the cost of roofing materials, also these are aesthetically pleasant looking. However, these should be avoided on existing building, as it makes solar panel installation activity very expensive. However, integrated mount or BIPV can be the best option for a new house.

Benefits of Rooftop Solar Panels

1. Rooftop Solar System Needs Less Space

The setting up of large solar parks has long gestation period, requires huge tracks of barren land as specified by government; on other hand time taken to setup rooftop solar power system is comparatively less, & can be setup on rooftop of any home.

2. Rooftop Solar System Needs Less Number of Panels

While solar parks to be economically viable need large number of solar panels to be setup in a series, on other hand rooftop solar power system can be setup on rooftop of any home with only a few solar panels as per the requirement of the house/apartment/office.

3. Rooftop Solar System Needs Water Only for Cleaning

Power generated using fossil fuels like coal, nuclear power, oil/natural gas need humungous amount of water for cooling as well as washing purpose. If water for cooling becomes scarce it creates problems, also polluting water sources when released back. On the other hand solar panels need no water to make electricity except for cleaning the solar panels on periodic basis.

4. Solar Panel Recycling Can Avoid Environment Degradation

While most fossil fuel based power generation activity results in lot of by products or waste material; however solar panels are made of materials that can be easily recycled at the end of their useful lives. Silicon based Solar panels are made using hazardous materials such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen fluoride. Even non-silicon solar cells including those made using gallium arsenide, cadmium telluride, copper-indium-gallium-diselenide contain more toxic materials than silicon based cells. Instead of putting solar panels in landfills, recycling/reusing them is a better option as that leads to further cost saving.

5. 3rd Party Solar Power System Ownership Options

Home owners can take advantage of 3rd party ownership options like solar lease or power purchase agreement. Under this, the solar power buyers allow for use of their property to install the solar panels, typically paying little upfront for setting up rooftop systems. Once the system is up the electricity generated is used up at fixed rates. This whole time when the systems is installed at the solar power buyers premises the ownership and maintenance responsibilities remain with the company that installed them.

6. General Economic Benefits of Solar Panel

The government of India provides 70% subsidy to solar panel manufactures, installers on the installation cost. Building owners who install solar panels can expect a faster ROI. As rooftop solar system is built on existing infrastructure rather than using arable land or find barren land. The solar power systems once installed enhance a property’s green credentials & resale value. The user can make use of only much solar power that is needed while selling the excess power back to the state grid. The user saves huge money on expenses due to lower electric bills.

7. Specific Economic Benefits of Solar Panel

Homeowners who install rooftop solar system can enjoy several specific benefits such as; net metering that gives solar panel owners credit on their utility bills for generating more electricity than they use, generally at the full retail electricity rates. Feed-in tariffs where home owners are paid fixed prices over long period. Value-of-solar tariffs, where solar panel owners are paid on calculated value of benefits generated by rooftop solar systems. Tax incentive and subsidy, apart from 70% subsidy provided tax incentives for home owners who install solar panels can be beneficial. Shared solar benefits, here even if individual owners haven’t installed solar panels but can still enjoy power generated by the solar panels from one meter and share the bill.

Points to Keep in Mind for Leasing/Buying Rooftop Solar Panels

There are many pros/cons/hidden cost of leasing/buying rooftop solar panels and anyone interested in installing rooftop solar panels should take these into consideration before going ahead as per plan.

Points for Leasing Solar Panels

1. Payback period is just 2 -3 years for industrial consumers and 4-5 years for residential.

2. No headache for maintenance and repairs.

3. Minimum of 25 years manufacturer’s warranty on solar panels.

4. Lowered energy cost.

Points for Buying Solar Panels

1. Solar panels are a long term investment.

2. Ownership of solar panels results in tax credits and rebates.

3. Free energy produced at no cost.

4. Excess electricity generated sold back to grid generates money.

5. increases resale value of home.

All in all, installing rooftop solar panels can be really beneficial not just for those who install the solar panels but also the environment. As it helps cut the use of fossil fuel in the long run, which are one of the biggest source of pollution. All one need to do assess the requirement and get in touch with a company which is into solar power installation, and get the best solution provided for by the solar EPC companies.