There is no letting up on global energy consumption, which is rising year on year. India alone is witnessing a surge in power consumption and peaking electricity demand. Electricity charges in India are also rising, significantly contributing to the increasing cost of living. In this scenario, solar panel installation for the home emerges as a definitive solution that can reduce your power consumption costs and help you experience an uninterrupted power supply. The purpose of this article is to help you make an effort to buy the right solar panel for your home.
What is a solar panel system for a home?
Solar cells are essentially solar photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight into electricity. As the name suggests, these panels are made up of solar cells and produce electricity when exposed to sunlight. We know that sunlight is abundant in India, which can often be a curse. Still, with solar panels for home, this curse can become a blessing as they offer a power generation solution that is both cost-efficient and eco-friendly. By installing solar panels, you reduce your energy costs and significantly contribute to the environment.
Installation is critical when it comes to rooftop solar panels for homes. These panels are strategically positioned on rooftops to capture sunlight throughout the day. Once the sunlight hits the panels, the photovoltaic technology converts it into electricity, providing a sustainable energy solution for your home.
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Choosing the best solar panel for your home in India involves extensive research and identifying the right panel based on efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness. This research will empower you with the knowledge to make an informed decision, ensuring that you choose a panel that meets your current needs and can scale to meet future demands. By investing time in research, you can be confident that you are making the best choice for your home and your budget.
Integration Cost: Varies According to Selection
The solar panel cost for homes in India varies according to the brand and the capacity you seek to install. The size of the solar system defines its price, and it can range anywhere between Rs 65000 for a 1 KW solar panel system to Rs. 10 lakhs for a 20 KW solar panel system (As of July 2024). The cost varies depending on factors like solar panel efficiency, type, capacity, type of inverter, mounting structures, installation complexity, brand, and government subsidy eligibility. The government of India offers solar panel subsidy for home in India under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which is as follows:
Type: Range of residential Solar Panels in India
Now, let’s get a bit technical. There are different types of solar panels, each with advantages and disadvantages.
- Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Built with silicon crystals, such panels are not very efficient but affordable. Their inefficiency means they are not very sensitive to high temperatures, which makes them ideal for warmer climates. The advantage is that they have a longer lifespan of around 25 years and can be leveraged for various applications.
- Mono PERC Solar Panels
PERC stands for Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell. The word mono refers to these solar photovoltaic modules made with one silicon crystal. Their framework improves their ability to absorb sunlight and, therefore, can produce more power than polycrystalline solar panels, making them more efficient, durable, and reliable. Their performance doesn’t decrease even in cloudy conditions or low light. As they are more efficient, you must install fewer rooftop solar panels for your home to generate the energy you need. They are priced higher than other types of solar panels.
- Half Cut Solar Panels
As the name suggests, these solar panels are built from half-cut cells and multi-busbar (MBB) technology that increases efficiency and power production. These panels can tolerate shade better and produce more power, but this means they are costlier than traditional solar panels, and the capacity to produce more power means this solar panel system for home needs to be integrated with safety measures that can manage the higher voltage.
- Bi-facial Solar Panels
Bi-facial solar panels use both sides of the solar panel and can be made with polycrystalline or monocrystalline silicone. Since they can produce more energy even in snowy weather conditions, they are pricier than other available solar panels. You might want to avoid them in Indian conditions, especially because of the non-reflective rooftops prevalent in India. They should be used on light-covered surfaces and with other renewable energy sources.
Usage: Making the most of solar panels for home
The essential use case for solar energy for homes in India is that it is an important source of electricity, and your home and its appliances can leverage this green energy. Beyond its usage as an alternate and eco-friendly source of energy, it can be used for water heaters, solar cookers, solar ventilation fans, and even charging EV batteries. There are multiple use cases for solar panels for homes, depending on your need and ability to harness solar power for your individual needs.
Cost efficiency in the long run: A winner all the way
The solar panel cost for homes in India will work out in the end, although initially, you might feel the pinch, as you will have to invest in solar panel installation, which is a large chunk of the upfront costs. The type of solar panel you choose and its capacity will decide your cost. Ideally, you should also invest in storage batteries, which ensures you are not dependent on the government grid for your power dispersal, which adds to your cost. There are other hardware installation costs, such as cables, mounts, etc., that you should also factor in when it comes to solar panel installation for home costs.
But, over time, solar energy can become highly cost-efficient, as you can benefit from grid offset. Typically, all solar systems are connected to the electrical grid, so all excess solar power generated offsets the cost of the electricity you purchase from the power company. More importantly, you are also replacing grid power units with solar units, which results in substantial savings. It is also important to note that electricity prices will keep rising while your costs will be controlled, which means you will not be impacted by future inflation. Another element of cost efficiency is the government solar panel subsidy for homes in India, which offers financial incentives to encourage home and office owners to install solar panels.
With solar power, you must have a decade-long or more focused plan. This will allow you to realize your solar investment in 5-7 years and experience sustainable cost savings.
Capacity: Choose the suitable capacity for tangible ROI
The ideal capacity of your solar panel system depends on your household’s energy consumption and determining the kilowatt capacity of the solar panels you need to install. This can be done by calculating the ratio between the average monthly power consumption by household in India and the average monthly solar power generation in India. Divide this kilowatt capacity requirement with the wattage delivered by a single solar panel. This will give you the right home solar panel kit capacity.
Size: Different sizes available
Typically, you must choose from three primary sizes: 60-cell, 72-cell, and 96-cell solar panels. The 60-cell and 72-cell solar panels are often chosen as rooftop solar panels for homes, while the last can be challenging to fit on the roof.
The approximate size of a 60-cell solar panel for a home is 3.25 x 5.5 feet, the 72-cell solar panel is 3.25 x 6.42 feet, and the 96-cell solar panel is 41.5 x 62.6 inches, but the last is not commonly used.
To Conclude
Do your research and review the available options to pick the best solar panel for your home in India. Your focus should be on your needs and the solar panel company’s capacity to meet your expectations. Pick a company with a proven track record of meeting buyers’ expectations.
FAQs
- For someone buying residential solar panels in India for the first time, what are the key aspects I should keep in mind?
Apart from the factors discussed in this article, keep an eye out for efficiency ratings and choose a solar panel system that has high efficiency ratings.
- Do solar panels come with warranties and guarantees?
Yes, manufacturer warranties are also a key factor in deciding upon a solar panel that delivers solar energy for home in India. Choose a panel that has a longer performance warranty, which means you have a peace of mind, and you know the panel will deliver sustainable ROI.
- Do I need a maintenance contract when I install a solar panel system for home?
Yes, it is important that you sign up for a maintenance contract as the solar panels demand regular upkeep and cleaning. Usually, the solar panel company will offer an AMC, but if you find that to be expensive you can look for other service providers who specialize in solar panel maintenance.
