FAQ

In a solar rooftop system, the solar panels are installed in the roof of any residential, institutional, social, Government, commercial, industrial buildings etc.. This can be of two types

• Solar Rooftop System with storage facility using battery, and
• Grid Connected Solar Rooftop System.

In grid connected rooftop or small SPV system, the DC power generated from SPV panel is converted to AC power using power conditioning unit/Inverter and is fed to the grid either of 440/220 Volt three/single phase line or of 33 kV/11 kV three phase lines depending on the capacity of the system installed at residential, institution/commercial establishment and the regulatory framework specified for respective States. These systems generate power during the day time which is utilized by powering captive loads and feed excess power to the grid as long as grid is available. In case, where solar power is not sufficient due to cloud cover etc., the captive loads are served by drawing balance power from the grid.

• Solar PV Modules/Solar Panels – The Solar PV modules/Solar Panels convert solar energy to electrical energy. They are available in different technologies such as crystalline, thin film, CIGS, CdTe, HIT, etc. Crystalline Solar PV panels are most common in use on roof tops.
• Inverter – Inverter converts DC output of Solar PV panels into AC power.
• Mounting structure – The mounting structure, is the support structure that holds the Solar PV panels
• Balance of System – These consist of cables, switchboards, junction boxes, meters, structures, tracking system (if required), earthing system ,circuit breaker,fuses etc.

CAPEX Model : Here, the entire system is owned by the rooftop owners and he bears the cost of the Soalr system. Responsibility of O&M for the system lifetime (25 years) is also with the rooftop owner. Developer is responsible for installing the system and initial 2 years O&M and five years warranty.
RESCO Model : Here, the entire system is owned by the developer. Responsibility of O&M for the system lifetime (say about 25 years) is also with the developer. Rooftop owners may consume the electricity generated, for which they have to pay a pre-decided tariff on a monthly basis. Excess generation may be exported to the grid, subject to availability of requisite state regulations.

For consumers that have adequate manpower/expertise for O&M, rooftop access concerns, availability of funds upfront, CAPEX model is better. Consumers in states that have net- metering regulations can take benefit of the same in case they have substantial excess generation.
On the other hand, consumers who prefer not to take responsibility for the system O&M, do not have rooftop security concerns and prefer to pay on a monthly basis rather than bulk upfront payment may choose to go for RESCO model.

The grid connected rooftop system can work on net metering basis wherein the beneficiary pays to the utility on net meter reading basis only. Alternatively two meters can also be installed to measure the export and import of power separately. The mechanism based on gross metering at mutually agreed tariff can also be adopted.

A 1 kW rooftop system generally requires 10 sq. metres of shadow-free area. Actual sizing, however, depends on local factors of solar radiation and weather conditions, efficiency of solar module, shape of the roof etc.

The benchmark cost of grid connected rooftop solar systems for FY 2018-19 varies from Rs. 53 per watt – Rs. 60 per watt. The details are as follows: