Solar System

Types of solar systems

There are three types of solar systems that can be considered.

1. On-grid / Grid-Tie systems

On grid solar power system is a solar power generation system where it is connected to the
utility grid. The electricity produced by the system is routed to the grid from where it is used to
run the various appliances. The excess power at any point of time is transmitted back to the grid.

An on-grid solar system is much more attractive than an off-grid system. In an on-grid solar
system, the solar power is produced only when the grid is available. The power supply gets
completely cut-off in case of the grid outage. The power shut down happens, mostly in case of
safety and technical reasons.

2. Off-grid systems

The second one is the off-grid system in which the rooftop solar system is not linked to the main
grid. This system can run on its own with its own battery. The solar power generated from the
rooftop solar system charges the battery which is then used to power various applications. This
system is very useful when there is no grid supply or when the supply is very erratic with
frequent breakdowns.

Batteries used for solar energy storage are available in two main types, lead-acid (AGM & Gel)
and lithium-Ion. Lithium-ion based batteries can typically supply up to 90% of their available
capacity per day, while lead-acid batteries generally only supply 30% to 40% of their total
capacity per day to increase battery life. Lead-acid batteries can be discharged fully, but this
should only be done in emergency backup situations.

3. Hybrid systems

The third one is the hybrid system in which both on-grid and off-grid systems work in tandem.
In this type of system, though a battery is used, the advantage here is that after the battery is
fully charged the excess power generated is fed to the grid which generates additional revenues
for the consumer.

Off-grid solar systems require specialized off-grid inverters and battery systems large enough to
store energy for 2 or more days. Hybrid grid-connected systems use lower cost hybrid (battery)
inverters, and only require a battery large enough to supply energy for 5 to 10 hours (overnight)
depending on the application.

Which type of solar panel is suitable?

There are two types of rooftop solar panels popular in India - Monocrystalline and
Polycrystalline solar panels. A monocrystalline solar panel is made of a single crystal of silicon
while a polycrystalline solar panel is made of multiple crystals of silicon. Both of these have their
advantages and disadvantages. It is believed that monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient
as the electrons inside a cell are free to move as they are made up of a single crystal but its very
expensive.

The second main component of a solar power system installation is the inverter, which can be
either a string inverter (around the size of a briefcase) or micro inverters, which are
approximately the size of a paperback book.

A string inverter is installed on a wall and all the solar panels connect to it. A micro inverter goes
on the back of each solar panel.

The job of the inverter is to convert the DC electricity solar panels produce into 230V AC
electricity, which is what everything in your home uses.

The third main component of a solar power system installation is the racking/mounting/ ballast.
This is what is securely attached to your roof supports, and what your solar panels are mounted
on.

Difference of AC and DC

Electricity flows in two ways: either in an alternating current (AC) or in a direct current (DC).
Electricity or "current" is nothing but the movement of electrons through a conductor, like a wire.
The difference between AC and DC lies in the direction in which the electrons flow. In DC, the
electrons flow steadily in a single direction, or "forward." In AC, electrons keep switching
directions, sometimes going "forward" and then going "backward."

Alternating current is the best way to transmit electricity over large distances.

Another difference between AC and DC involves the amount of energy it can carry. Each battery
is designed to produce only one voltage, and that voltage of DC cannot travel very far until it
begins to lose energy. But AC's voltage from a generator, in a power plant, can be bumped up or
down in strength by another mechanism called a transformer. Transformers are located on the
electrical pole on the street, not at the power plant. They change very high voltage into a lower
voltage appropriate for your home appliances, like lamps and refrigerators.

While DC can be stored in batteries, you cannot store AC.

Watt is the measure of power.

Volt is the measure of electric potential.

Ampere is the measure of current.

 Brillo Terms and Conditions
1 Panel= 390Wp

Panels Required for 1kVA = 3

Space required for 1kVA = 100 Sq.Ft

1kVA generates = 4 Units/ day

KSEB Minimum current = 2kVA

Installation Charge (1kVA) = Rs. 55,000/-