Solar Panel Installation in India - A perspective

India, a land close to the equator, has clear skies and receives tropical sunlight for at least 300 days each year, thus being one of the leading generators of solar energy in the world. The Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has set an impressive target of making 175 GW capacity of solar installations by March 2022 and the rate at which the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors are installing solar panels, this target of solar panel installation in India seems achievable.

 

At the end of the first quarter of 2020, the percentage of solar panel installation in India rose to 36.2% from 35.9% according to the data from the Central Energy Authority (CEA), and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). India added approximately 950 MW of solar capacity in Q1 2020, and cumulative solar panel installations in India stood at ~36.6 GW by end of Q1 2020. Solar power represents 9.8% of the total installed power capacity in India as of Q1 2020, according to Mercom India Solar Project Tracker.

 

Suitable Solar Panels

Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels are the two types of popular solar rooftop panels in India. A polycrystalline solar panel is made of multiple crystals of silicon while a monocrystalline solar panel is made of a single crystal of silicon.

 

Cost of Solar Panel Installation in India

The cost of solar panel installation in India varies according to the type of installation, equipment and solar panels. It could range anywhere between INR 40,000 and INR 6,00,000, and in case of large installations the amount may exceed this range.

 

Even though this amount may seem huge, installing a solar panel has its own benefits as it is an ecological solution to the increase in worldwide pollution. Installing a solar panel and making use of other renewable energy resources reduce the carbon footprint and saves money in the long run as it cuts electricity bills. You may need to decide a certain budget if you're planning to install solar panels at your choice of place because the equipment may seem expensive at first.

 

Establishment Energy Consumption Rate

Solar panel installation in India also depends on the energy consumption rate of an establishment or a building. The rate of energy consumption is based on the appliances, gadgets, and machinery that need to be powered in a certain establishment. Hence, a different establishment has different needs, and different rate of energy consumption.

Before installing a solar panel you must analyze the needs of your building. Usually, a solar panel consists of 36 to 72 PV cells, with each cell supplying approximately 0.5 V of power. Considering the given figures, the number of panels required to suffice the energy needs of a particular establishment can easily be determined.

 

Solar panel installation in India is a new frontier in the renewable energy sector since India's new target, from the installation target of 175 GW of renewable capacity by the end of 2022, India aims to raise its renewable capacity to 450 GW by 2030. Observing the pace of solar installations, India might soon be a solar efficient nation.