Samoel Energy Solutions LLP

Nanpura, Surat, Gujarat

A solar PV power plant converts sunlight into electricity. It does so withoutany moving parts (unless it has a tracking system) and without generatingeither noise or pollution. A solar PV system can be installed at any un-shadedlocation such as on rooftops of buildings, car parking sheds, empty land, oreven on top of canals and roads. Typical system sizes range from 240 wattsto 100 MW. There is very little difference in the technical design between

small kW-sized plants (typically de-centralized, off-grid) and large, MW-sizedplants (typically centralized, grid-connected). Solar plants can easily be scaledusing independent, modular components such as PV modules, inverters andbatteries. The rooftops of buildings would be ideal for the installation of solar PV in City A typical rooftop solar

PV system for a household is between 1-10kW. For larger buildings, such asoffices or malls, it can reach 100 kW or more. Given Gujarats average irradiationof 5-5.5 kWh/m2/day, a kW of installed solar PV can generate 4-4.5 kWh ofpower during daylight hours, equivalent to the amount of power needed for arefrigerator to run for a day.A solar PV system consists of the following key components

1. Solar PV array (group of modules)
2. Solar inverter
3. Battery
4. Interconnecting devices (junction box, cables, distribution box)

The PV array consists of solar modules interconnected with each other. Themodules convert the energy from unlight, are held on structures made ofgalvanized iron, mild steel or aluminum and are inclined at a horizontal tilt,

facing either south or east-west.

Types of rooftop solar PV systems

Rooftop solar PV systems are of 3 types:

1. Grid-tied These rooftop systems are primarily designed to supply the generated power to the grid and also power the load. These systems will NOT generate power during a power failure as the inverter shuts down the system to stop sending power into the grid and avoids the risk of electrocuting utility personnel who are working to repair the grid
2. Grid-interactive This system works in conjunction with either a battery backup or diesel generator to support the load even during a power failure.
3. Off-grid This system does not work with the grid and is designed to work only with a battery backup or diesel generator in off-grid applications

The difference between the systems lies in the kind of inverter used, and the inclusion of batteries. As various vendors use different terminology for these systems we urge you to verify the functions of the offered system rather than going by the name alone

A rooftop solar PV system costs approximately Rs. 1, 00, 000 per kWp (kilowatt peak) including installation charges but without batteries and without considering incentives

Rooftop and high efficiency solar modules

High efficiency solar panels are coming in to their own at the moment. Many of the most efficient solar modules have a copper foundation, which makes them especially resistant to corrosion. Solar cell manufacturers are also swapping the weak connections in their cells with sturdier, thicker connectors. In the past, with these weak connections, if just one connection failed then that would mean that the whole cell was out of action.Present day solar cell connectors are much more resistant to failure, and also the loss of one connector does not have such a drastic effect on the rest of the cell. These new connectors are also designed to expand and contract in line with changes in temperature and sunlight levels throughout the day.