Solar Energy

Here comes the sun

By: Mahazareen Dastur

The German experience is a good example for India’s solar energy mission

Bidding exposes solar tariff game

The solar mission is not showing up

By: Ruhi Kandhari

Bidding for the first phase of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission has put a question mark on the ambitious target set to enlarge the country’s energy needs through the solar route. Out of the 30 short-listed bidders, almost 20 have had nothing to do with solar photo voltaic (PV) power. It seems as if the projects they promise may soon turn unviable.

What is a solar electric or photovoltaic system?

Solar electric systems, which are also called photovoltaic or PV systems, are reliable and pollution-free. They make use of a renewable source of energy - the sun. And PV systems for homes and businesses are becoming more affordable all the time.
 

A PV system can be a substantial investment. As with any investment, careful planning will help you make the right decisions for your home.

Setting up a solar PV System

There are four basic calculations that you need to do before you can get on with buying a system that would fulfill all your requirements. These are:

•    Electrical load or power requirement
•    Sunshine availability
•    Size of the Photovoltaic array and
•    Size and number of batteries
 

Solar PV system design

A system based on a 20Wp module can supply two or three 6 W lamps for about four hours per day. At the other end of the range, an 80 Wp system can power four 8 W lamps and a black and white television set.

Components of a solar PV system

There are three basic configurations widely adopted for the solar PV systems:

Cost of a solar PV system

The final cost of any PV system ultimately depends on PV array size, inverter, battery bank size and on the other components required for the specific application.

Cost of PV array
PV modules can be purchased at the rate of Rs. 250 – 300 per watt for most small
systems in the 150W to 8,000W range.

Cost of batteries
A variety of options are available.

Cost of inverter
A variety of options are available.

Miscellaneous costs

Manufacturers of solar PV systems in India

List of Manufacturers certified by approved Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Test Centers.

General Discussion on solar

General Discussion on solar

Solar

 
Discuss how you can buy and install solar systems. CSE has a solar roof; read also articles in Down To Earth on what the government is doing to promote solar energy use and about the National Solar Mission.

How do we go about this in our everyday lives. Ask us and we will try and answer or post for the community to reply.
 
 

Solar energy

The hybrid solar power system in the Centre for Science and Environment acts as an on-line uninterrupted power supply (UPS) system, providing stable power to all the electronic appliances.

120 solar modules are mounted on a space frame over the front twin-pillar supported pergola of the CSE building. The remaining 20 are installed over the CSE canteen roof.

 Components