Solar Panels

What are Solar Panels?

In 1839, a French Scientist Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect. Photo means "light" and voltaic means "electricity" in Latin, photovoltaic means electricity from light. Solar Panels are an arrangement of solar cells mounted in a frame and covered with glass. It is also known as Solar PV Modules, solar plates or सौर ऊर्जा which converts sunlight into electricity. It is a clean and renewal source of energy which reduces carbon emission, reduces electricity bill for a home owner, and has life expectancy of 25-30 years. 

Types of Solar Panels

There are two types of solar panels available in India, such as:

• Mono Crystalline Solar Panel – Made of pure Silicon cells, that generates  higher power, Made of Mono Perk cells with size 156 mm and 156 mm, it looks blackish in color
• Poly Crystalline Solar Panel – A traditional solar panel which are commonly used, less expensive and Lower power generation 

Polycrystalline Vs Monocrystalline

Solar Panel Price in India 2020

Solar panel standalone is off no use, to use electricity from solar panel, it has to be connected with solar inverters and battery too if power storage required. Solar panel forms two types of solar system 1) on grid solar system and 2) off grid solar system, the price of solar system in 2020 ranges between ₹25 - ₹75 per watt depending upon which brand of solar panel you buy, the other factor which effects price of solar panel is its efficiency, size and delivery location.  Solar panel prices are measured in per watt price, the price of solar panels will go down if you buy in bulk and it depends upon efficiency of solar panel and warranty offered on it.

Here are the latest solar PV panel prices in 2020 for Indian brands from 10 watt – 375 watts.

Notes/ disclaimer

• Prices mentioned above are best price available for each product across all shops and online stores
• Price may vary store to store and from place to place based on tax rates
• Prices shown above are with original bills and manufacturer warranty

Features of a Solar Panel

There are broadly 5 features in a solar panel available in Indian Markets.

#1. Cell Technology – Mono Crystalline Solar cells are purest raw material to make Solar PV Module, The Power generation is higher for Mono Perk Crystalline cells in sunny, cloudy and monsoon weather.

#2. Module Size – Smaller Solar panels will occupy less space on rooftop, Hence, a smaller size solar panel will cost more

#3. Frame thickness – After Solar Cells, Frame thickness is second raw material which impacts the build quality of a solar panel. A Solar panel may have 30 mm – 45 mm Frame thickness made of Aluminium structure.

#4. Connecting wires - Solar panels are connected in either Series or parallel connecting for making an array,  An Array is the form in which multiple solar panels are connected, Hence, It is important the solar should come with at least 1 meter wire and with IP 68 Junction box that makes it water and dust proof.

#5. Unbreakable Glass- A solar pane will have solar cells, Aluminium frame and transparent glass, The Foldable solar panel which will have foldable glass has less chances to break.

How to Install Solar Panels 

Solar panels should be installed by professional installers. Any mistake in installing solar panel will led to lesser efficiency and loss in power generation. 

The standard solar panel installation cost is between ₹10 to ₹15 per watt depending upon location, distance between panel and inverter and weather installation is off on grid solar system or off grid solar system. We have installed solar panels in over 8000 homes across India. Here is the list of solar panel installation story with unique applications.

Maintenance of Solar Panels

Solar panels are low maintenance products; however, it is important to clean solar panels on a regular basis to clear off the dust particles that gets accumulated on it. A Cleaner solar panel might generate up to 25% more power. Cost of maintaining solar panels is near to zero (0) or few hundred rupees a year.  Most solar panels have silicon cells laminated and framed which ensures long life and less maintenance. Cleaning and washing solar panels are must for the longevity and retaining efficiency.

• Keep Solar panels out of shade
• The best way to clean solar panel is by using soft cloths, shampoo or detergent
• Clean in a way that it may not scratch the glass

Top 10 Solar Panel Companies in India

India is world’s 3 biggest market of solar modules with as much as 150 solar panel manufactures in the country with 10 GW Manufacturing capacity and a Home of 35 GW Installation of solar panels by 2020, Here is the list of Top 10 solar companies selected based upon Manufacturing Capacity, Bankability, Sales Revenue, Brand Value and Year of Service in the industry. 

See Also List of Solar Panel Companies: Top 10 Solar Companies in India in 2020

Best Solar Panels for Home in India 2020

In a Solar system, Solar panel is the main component, best solar panel is decided based upon performance of a solar system, Build Quality, Serviceability, Power Generation Output, per watt price, here is the list of Best Solar Panels with reviews.

Subsidy Scheme on Solar Panels

There is no subsidy on solar panels in India but if you install solar panels with grid connected inverter, there is 40% subsidy offered by MNRE- Ministry of New and Renewal Energy, Government of India. Subsidy is not applicable on solar system installed with battery (Off Grid Solar System). Indian Government has allocated 4GW (4000MW) capacity of grid connected solar system for rooftop solar sector in 2020. Here is the state wise government subsidy scheme, procedure, eligibility criteria for installer and home owner, etc.

Must Read Pradhan Mantri Solar Panel Yojana: Subsidy on Solar Panels in India        

Solar Panels - FAQs

#1. How much KW Solar Panels do I Need for My Home?

Selection of solar panel depends on two factors

a) In Case of Power Failures - The solar panels require is 3 times of battery Capacity, so for example, you have 2 battery of 150 Ah in your home, you should install 3* 150 Ah = 450 watts of solar panels.

b) In case of Saving Electricity Bill: Look at your power bills and check how much units you consumed during a month, let's assume, 300 units (kWH) in a month, so solar panels requirement will be 

Solar Panel Requirement = Total power consumption in a month (kWH) / 30 days *4 units power generation per kW. So, in this case it should be 300/30 *4 = 2.5 kW, i.e. 2500 watts.

#2. Does Solar Panel Work During night, Monsoon?

Solar panels will produce comparatively less energy during monsoon. More sunlight better your solar panel works. Shades, clouds, and monsoon does affect the performance of solar panels. Amount of electricity is directly related to the amount of sunlight that falls on solar panels.

#3. What is the Average Lifespan of a Solar Panel?

Most of the solar panels come with 25 years warranty in India. However, the lifespan of a solar panel can go up to 30 years depending upon brand and quality.

#4. How much 1 kw solar panel power generates and how much space it takes in installation?

1 kW = 1000 watts, 1 kW solar panel generates on an average 4 kWH in a day depending upon weather conditions, in a sunny day it might generate up to 5 Units, while in winter or cloudy weather, the power generation could be lower up to 3 units a day.

1 kWH = 1 unit = 1000 watt

A solar panel has standard length of 2 meter and width of 1meter. Installation of 1 kW solar panel requires 3 solar modules, the space taken by 1 kW solar panels shall be

Solar panel size * No. of panels

2 meter * 1 meters * 3 panels = 6 square meters.

#5. How Much Money Will I Save with Solar Panels?

300 watts panel will save around ₹500 per month on an average. More the number of panels more electricity you can produce and which will result in more savings. A 1kVa on grid system can save around ₹1500 per month.

#6. Can solar panel be installed without Inverter and battery for day uses?

Solar panels is a source of DC electricity, the appliances such as Fan, Television, lights that we use in our home is AC, 230 volt (alternating current) electricity, The DC power could be used directly with solar panels, while using AC electricity, It is must to use Inverters.

#7. Can I run a ceiling fan directly from solar panels during day time?

Solar generates direct form of electricity, to use fan on solar, inverter is must, a Fan cannot be used directly from solar panels.

#8. How the efficiency of solar panel is calculated? 

The efficiency of solar panel is the way to calculate density of solar module. For example, you have a solar panel that is 1 meter long and 1 meter wide produces 1000 watts, this would be called 100% efficiency of solar panels.

The Formula for calculating solar panel efficiency is

Efficiency % = (Power)/ (Length) * (Width) * (1000 watt / sq. meter)

• Power – the power rating of solar panels in watt.
• Length and width- is the size of solar panels
• 1000 watt / sq. meter is sunlight available at your home

Here is the example to calculate Loom Solar  400 watt solar panel efficiency (400 watts) / (2 meter length) * (1 meter width) * (1000 watt / sq. meter) = 20%

i.e. the efficiency of 400 watt solar panel is 20%.

#9. Where can I buy Solar Panels in India?

There are multiple ways to buy solar panels in India, such as Inverter and solar shops near you and online store such as Loom Solar, Amazon, Flipkart, etc.