Patent Solutions

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Solar Energy Systems

What is a Solar power System?

The solar panels are installed in the roof ground of any residential, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings or on ground. There are three types of solar power system. (1) On grid system without battery storage, (2) OFF grid Solar power system with storage facility using battery, and (3) Hybrid solar power system, a combination of On grid and OFF grid system.

Solar Photovoltaics or SPV (Photovoltaic stands for photo, meaning ‘’light’’ and voltaic meaning ‘’electricity’’) utilises the principle of Photoelectric effect to produce electricity. The Solar panels convert sunlight to DC (direct current) electrical energy. Solar panels are made of semiconductor materials, called as photovoltaic cells , which when exposed to sunlight produce a small amount of electricity. To produce a large amount of energy from the solar panels, they are placed in combinations which are called arrays. Solar panels are an assembly of photovoltaic cells mounted on a frame.

The solar power system generate electricity whenever the solar cells exposes to light, however there would be low generation in shadow, cloudy days, rain or due to dust accumulation and no generation of power at night. Solar panels produce power only when exposed to light of specific wavelengths. Hence, anything that reduces the exposure of the panel to light will lead to reduction in the generation capacity of the panel.

An on-grid solar system is connected to the utility grid and allows you to export excess energy to the grid, earning credits on your electricity bill. However, it does not work during power outages. An off-grid system is not connected to the grid and uses batteries to store energy for use during the night or power outages, making it ideal for areas without grid access. A hybrid system combines the features of both on-grid and off-grid systems. It is connected to the grid but also includes battery backup for power outages, ensuring uninterrupted power supply while still allowing excess energy to be exported to the grid.

Solar panels typically last 25 to 30 years, with ORB Energy offering a 25 year power warranty. Inverters generally have a lifespan of 5 to 15 years, while batteries, if used, last around 5 to 10 years depending on their type and usage. Regular maintenance can help ensure the system operates efficiently throughout its lifespan.

A 1 kW on-grid solar system generates about 4 units (kWh) of electricity per day on an annual average. An off-grid system generates slightly less, around 3 to 3.5 units per day, due to energy loss during battery storage. A hybrid system generates between 3 and 4 units per day, depending on usage and battery storage capacity.

A netmeter or bidirectional meter that measures the energy exported to the grid and the energy imported from the grid. When solar system generates excess energy, it is sent to the grid. When solar system does not generate enough energy, power is imported from the grid. At the end of the billing cycle, you are charged only for the net energy consumed, which is the difference between the energy imported and exported, significantly reducing your electricity bill.

Batteries are not required for on grid systems because excess energy is exported to the grid. However, batteries are essential for off grid and Hybrid systems to store energy for use during the night or power
outages .

Under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana as of now , residential customers can avail subsidies of Rs 30,000 per KW for 2KW system and Rs 18000 for 3 rd KW, maximum of Rs 78000, for systems up to 3 kW. However, there is no restrictions for going with higher system rating, based on your sanctioned Load. The payment for exported units with subsidy claim is lesser as compared to non subsidy systems, as fixed by electricity regulatory authority of the state

The installation time for a solar power system depends on its size and complexity. Residential systems (1 to 10 kW) typically take 2 to 3 weeks to install, while commercial and industrial systems may take 2 to 4 weeks or more after approval from the local electricity authority . The timeline includes site surveys, system design, and approval from the local electricity authority for net metering in the case of on grid or hybrid systems.

A Solar panels generally weighs 15 to 25 kg per square meter. This weight can be easily borne by most roofs. Since the life of a Solar panel system is about 25 years or more , Please ensure that your roof is in good condition to bear the system’s load over its lifetime

Solar panels require minimal maintenance. They should be cleaned periodically to remove dust and debris that can reduces efficiency. Annual inspections are recommended to check the wiring, inverters, and mounting structures. If batteries are part of the system, they require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity. To ensure optimum performance from solar panels , continual cleaning and maintenance is necessary. Therefore, regular cleaning of the panels is recommended and advised.

The grid connected or Hybrid solar power system works on a net metering basis, wherein the beneficiary pays to the utility on a net meter reading for a billing cycle. The net meter installed records export and import of power separately.

What is solar power purchase agreement (PPA)?

A solar power purchase agreement (PPA) is a financial contract between a customer (buyer) and a third party developer or electricity generator(seller) for the purchase of electricity from a solar power system. The developer owns, operates, and maintains the system. 

 

In case a of a residential consumer, it is an agreement between an electricity board(who supplies power to residence) and a consumer. For residential consumer PPA is valid for 25 Years, with price for exported units fixed, prevailing at the time of the agreement signed between the consumer and the electricity board.

The primary component of a rooftop solar installation consists of 

(1) Solar panels (to generate electricity)  (2) Inverter ( to convert the generated DC current to AC current)

(3) Mounting system, cables, fuses, surge protectors, switchgears, etc ( Balance of system ) 

(4) Optional battery system ( to store energy for later use)

To determine if your location is suitable for solar panels, consider factors such as sunlight availability, roof space, and shading. Ideally, your location should receive at least 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight daily. You will need approximately 100 square feet of roof space per kW of solar panels. Ensure there are no obstructions like trees or buildings that could block sunlight. South facing roofs are optimal in India. A site survey by the channel partner can confirm the suitability of your location for solar installation . Please contact at Info@nelliip.com or call/message at 9900579112

The payback period for a solar power system is typically 4 to 6 years, depending on the system size, energy usage, and available subsidies. After the payback period, the system provides free electricity for the remainder of its lifespan.

Yes, solar systems are modular and can be expanded by adding more panels and upgrading inverters. This flexibility allows you to increase your system’s capacity as your energy needs grow.

In on-grid and hybrid systems, excess energy generated by your solar system is exported to the grid. You earn credits for this energy, which are adjusted against your electricity bill, further reducing your costs.

What happens to excess energy generated by my solar system? Yes, ORB Energy panels are highly durable. They are tested for micro-cracks, PID resistance, and are backed by a 25-year power warranty. The manufacturing facility is vetted by PI Berlin, ensuring top-quality standards.

ORB Energy provides a 25-year power warranty on solar panels and a 5 to 10-year warranty on inverters, ensuring long-term reliability and performance.

For on grid and Hybrid systems , approval from the local electricity board is required for net metering. Off grid systems do not require any approval since they are not connected to the grid.

In grid connected solar system, the DC power generated from solar panel is converted to AC power using inverter unit and is fed to the grid with net meter or Bidirectional meter to measure the import from grid and export from solar power system, adhering to the regulatory framework specified for respective States.

 

These systems generate power during the sunlight,, which is utilized power the captive loads and feeding excess power to the grid as long as the grid is available. In cases where solar power is not sufficient due to cloud cover, etc., and during night time, the captive loads are served by importing the power from the grid.

There are multiple factors that influence the efficiency of solar power systems, some of them are as follows (however, not restricted to the below list) :

● Plant location

● Solar system design (including panel tilt angle) 

● Equipment quality 

● Shading

● Maintenance (cleaning of panels)

On-grid solar systems do not work during power outages because they are designed to shut down for safety reasons. However, off-grid and hybrid systems can provide power during outages using the energy stored in their batteries, ensuring uninterrupted power supply for critical loads.

There are two types of inverters: (1) string/central inverters, and (2) microinverters. The Inverters convert solar power generated in the form of direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) electricity. 

 

String inverters are used to connect multiple solar panels together, whereas microinverters are connected one per solar panels. Microinverter are best for shady roofs but cost more. For simple roof with minimal shading, a string inverter can be opted.