Solar Powered Homes - Is It a Good Option?

In India, the number of Solar powered homes are slowly but steadily increasing. The use of solar power gained prominence due to the growing concerns of climate change along with the ever increasing energy costs. The use of solar energy to power homes in India is vital as the country is devoid of an efficient power management system with many areas still lacking electricity.

Typically, a solar powered home will have Photovoltaic Panels installed on the roof at an angle to absorb maximum sunlight. The system comprises of mainly four units – The panels, a controller to regulate the flow of electricity, batteries to store energy for later use and an inverter to convert DC to AC power. Using solar energy reduces your energy bills significantly and also lowers the Carbon footprint generated from your property.

If you are in the market to install an efficient solar power system, then there are certain factors to take into account:

PROS OF SOLAR POWERED HOMES:

FREE ENGERY – The most positive aspect of installing a solar unit is that that energy generated is totally free. There are no bills to be paid as you’ll be making use of natural resources to generate energy. The initial costs involved in setting up a solar unit is still a bit on the higher side in India, but in the long run, it will make a significant difference to the money being spent on metered electricity from state-run suppliers.

CLEAN ENERGY – As the source for generating energy is natural, there are no harmful emissions coming out of the whole process, significantly reducing the overall Carbon footprint.

SUBSIDY FROM GOVERNMENT – The Govt. of India has initiated a subsidy plan to promote the use of solar power in residential and commercial spaces. One could reach out to the MNRE and fill out an application form to apply for the subsidy. The only catch here is that you’ll have to avail the services of the government approved provider.

WORKS INDEPENDENTLY – We have all faced random power outages and blackouts. The use of solar energy means that you are not dependent on state providers anymore as you’ll be generating your own electricity by using the installed solar panels.

CONS OF SOLAR POWERED HOMES:

HIGH INITIAL INVESTMENT – As the concept is still fairly new in India, there is a high initial investment involved with installing a solar unit. An investment of at least 1.5 lakhs is required to power a modern-day home.

EFFICIENCY CANNOT BE GURANTTED – As the main source for generating power is sunlight, the efficiency of the solar unit cannot be guaranteed round the clock. The sun does not shine 24/7, and it gets even worse during monsoon season. Also, the location at which your property is situated plays a vital role as well. If your house is surrounded with tall trees or high-rise structures, the solar unit will not be able to perform optimally.

MAINTAINANCE – Maintaining your solar unit setup is an integral part for it to perform optimally. For this, one has to ensure periodic cleaning of the solar panels as the installation is constantly being exposed to dust. If your area is prone to serve weather conditions, then any damage occurring due to natural causes like a storm or heavy rains will also have to addressed, and they are not cheap.

LIST OF TOP SOLAR PANEL MANUFACTURES IN INDIA:

1. TATA POWER SOLAR

2. SU-KAM SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS

3. HHV SOLAR

4. MOSER BAER SOLAR

Solar units are a great option if you are in the market for an alternative source of energy. As mentioned in the article, the initial investment is on the higher side but is going save you money in the longer run. If you are willing to take time for the upkeep of the different components of the solar unit, then it’s a great option for you.