Solar System

PC ENGINEERING is a next generation energy company leading the transition to clean energy in the region. We have deep expertise in solar power, energy storage across its various uses, electric vehicle charging and digitalization of energy assets leading to smart energy systems. 

We, at PC ENGINEERING, are co-creating the future of energy with our customers across the region. We are solving the complexities of Residential, Commercial, & industrial energy systems and are driving the evolution of their energy mix towards greater affordability, reliability and sustainability. As the energy demand surges across the developing and emerging economies, our energy transformation plan seeks to incorporate the 3 Ds concept that is Decentralized, Digitized and Decarbonized to embrace the new reality.

Solar Street Lighting Projects:

Below are some of our solar street lighting projects. These projects feature different style fixtures for illuminating streets, roadways, highways, and pathways. Our systems are sized for a minimum of five days autonomy and require no connection to the electric grid; however, grid backup systems are also available. As demonstrated in thousands of existing projects worldwide, our proven solar street light systems feature rugged commercial-grade construction combined with unsurpassed quality, performance, reliability, and the value of 25+ year system life expectancy - all backed by the best warranty in the business.

Features:

Most solar lights turn on and turn off automatically by sensing outdoor light using solar panel voltage. Solar streetlights are designed to work throughout the night. Many can stay lit for more than one night if the sun is not in the sky for an extended period of time. Older models included lamps that were not fluorescent or LED. Solar lights installed in windy regions are generally equipped with flat panels to better cope with the winds.Modern designs use wireless technology and fuzzy control theory for battery management. The street lights using this technology can operate as a network with each light having the capability of performing the turning on and off of the network.

Components:

Solar street lights consist of four main parts:

Solar Panel:

The solar panel is one of the most important parts of a solar street light, as the solar panel can convert solar energy into electricity that the lamps can use. There are two types of solar panels commonly used in solar street lights: monocrystalline and polycrystalline. The conversion rate of mono-crystalline solar panels is much higher than their poly-crystalline counterparts. Solar panels also vary in wattage systems.

Lighting Fixture:

LEDs are usually used as the primary lighting source of modern solar street lights, as the LED will provide much higher luminosity with lower energy consumption. The energy consumption of an LED fixture is at least 50% lower than the HPS fixture counterpart which is widely used as the lighting source in traditional street lights. A lack of warm-up time in LEDs also allows for use of motion detectors for additional efficiency gains.

Rechargeable Battery:

Batteries will store the electricity generated by the solar panel during the day and provide energy to the fixture during the night. The life cycle of the battery is very important to the lifetime of the light and the capacity of the battery will affect the backup days of the lights. There are two types of batteries commonly used in solar-powered street lights- gel cell deep cycle batteries as well as lead acid batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are also popular due to their compact size.

Pole:

Strong poles are necessary to all street lights, especially to solar street lights as there are often components mounted on the top of the pole: fixtures, panels and sometimes batteries. However, in some newer designs, the PV panels and all electronics are integrated in the pole itself. Wind resistance is also a factor.

In addition, accessories do exist for these types of poles, such as a foundation cage and battery box.

Type:

Solar street light at the bus stop

Each street light can have its own photo voltaic panel, independent of other street lights. Alternately, a number of panels can be installed as a central power source on a separate location and supply power to a number of street lights.

All-in-one type solar street lights are gaining popularity due to their compact design which incorporates all of the parts necessary in a compact manner including the battery.

The city of Las Vegas, Nevada was the first city in the world that tested new EnGoPlanet Solar Street lights which are coupled with kinetic tiles that produce electricity when people walk over them.

Advantages:

• Solar street lights are independent of the utility grid. Hence, the operation costs are minimized.

• Solar street lights require much less maintenance compared to conventional street lights.

• Since external wires are eliminated, risk of accidents are minimized.[2]

• Electricity produced from solar panels is non-pollutive.

• Separate parts of a solar panel system can easily be transported.

• Energy costs can be saved.

Disadvantages:

• Initial investment is higher compared to conventional street lights.

• Risk of theft is higher as equipment costs are comparatively higher.[2]

• Snow or dust, combined with moisture can accumulate on horizontal PV-panels and reduce or even stop energy 

production.

• Rechargeable batteries will need to be replaced several times over the lifetime of the fixtures adding to the 

total lifetime cost of the light.

The charge and discharge cycles of the battery are also very important considering the overall cost of the project.

PC ENGINEERIBNG Solar Water Heater:

Solar water heaters -- sometimes called solar domestic hot water systems -- can be a cost-effective way to generate hot water for your home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use -- sunshine -- is free.

How They Work:

Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. There are two types of solar water heating systems: active, which have circulating pumps and controls, and passive, which don't.

Active Solar Water Heating Systems:

There are two types of active solar water heating systems:

 • Direct circulation systems

Pumps circulate household water through the collectors and into the home. They work well in climates where it rarely freezes.

• Indirect circulation systems

Pumps circulate a non-freezing, heat-transfer fluid through the collectors and a heat exchanger. This heats the water that then flows into the home. They are popular in climates prone to freezing          temperatures.

Passive Solar Water Heating Systems:

 • Integral collector-storage passive systems

These consist of a storage tank covered with a transparent material to allow the sun to heat the water.  Water from the tank then flows into the plumbing system. These work best in areas where temperatures rarely fall           below freezing. They also work well in households with significant daytime and evening hot-water needs.

• Thermosyphon systems

Water is heated in a collector on the roof and then flows through the plumbing system when a hot water faucet is opened. The majority of these systems have a 40 gallon capacity.  

Storage Tanks and Solar Collectors:

Most solar water heaters require a well-insulated storage tank. Solar storage tanks have an additional outlet and inlet connected to and from the collector. In two-tank systems, the solar water heater preheats water before it enters the conventional water heater. In one-tank systems, the back-up heater is combined with the solar storage in one tank.

Three types of solar collectors are used for residential applications:

 • Flat-plate collector

Glazed flat-plate collectors are insulated, weatherproofed boxes that contain a dark absorber plate under one or more glass or plastic (polymer) covers. Unglazed flat-plate collectors -- typically            used for solar pool heating -- have a dark absorber plate, made of metal or polymer, without a cover or enclosure.

• Integral collector-storage systems

Also known as ICS or batch systems, they feature one or more black tanks or tubes in an insulated, glazed box. Cold water first passes through the solar collector, which preheats the water. The          water then continues on to the conventional backup water heater, providing a reliable source of hot water. They should be installed only in mild-freeze climates because the outdoor pipes could            freeze in severe, cold weather.

• Evacuated-tube solar collectors 

They feature parallel rows of transparent glass tubes. Each tube contains a glass outer tube and metal absorber tube attached to a fin. The fin's coating absorbs solar energy but inhibits                         radiative  heat loss. These collectors are used more frequently for U.S. commercial applications.

Solar water heating systems almost always require a backup system for cloudy days and times of increased demand. Conventional storage water heaters usually provide backup and may already be part of the solar system package. A backup system may also be part of the solar collector, such as rooftop tanks with thermosyphon systems. Since an integral-collector storage system already stores hot water in addition to collecting solar heat, it may be packaged with a tankless or demand-type water heater for backup.

Selecting a Solar Water Heater

Before you purchase and install a solar water heating system, you want to do the following:

• Estimate the cost and energy efficiency of a solar water heating system

• Evaluate your site's solar resource

• Determine the correct system size

• Investigate local codes, covenants, and regulations.

Also understand the various components needed for solar water heating systems, including the following:

• Heat exchangers for solar water heating systems

• Heat-transfer fluids for solar water heating systems

Installing and Maintaining the System 

The proper installation of solar water heaters depends on many factors. These factors include solar resource, climate, local building code requirements, and safety issues; therefore, it's best to have a qualified solar thermal systems contractor install your system.

After installation, properly maintaining your system will keep it running smoothly. Passive systems don't require much maintenance. For active systems, discuss the maintenance requirements with your system provider, and consult the system's owner's manual. Plumbing and other conventional water heating components require the same maintenance as conventional systems. Glazing may need to be cleaned in dry climates where rainwater doesn't provide a natural rinse. 

Regular maintenance on simple systems can be as infrequent as every 3–5 years, preferably by a solar contractor. Systems with electrical components usually require a replacement part or two after 10 years. Learn more about solar water heating system maintenance and repair.

When screening potential contractors for installation and/or maintenance, ask the following questions: 

• Does your company have experience installing and maintaining solar water heating systems?

Choose a company that has experience installing the type of system you want and servicing the applications you select. 

• How many years of experience does your company have with solar heating installation and maintenance?

The more experience the better. Request a list of past customers who can provide references.

 • Is your company licensed or certified?

Having a valid plumber's and/or solar contractor's license is required in some states. Contact your city and county for more information. Confirm         licensing with your state's contractor licensing board. The licensing board can also tell you about any complaints against state-licensed                       contractors.

Improving Energy Efficiency

After your water heater is properly installed and maintained, try some additional energy-saving strategies to help lower your water heating bills, especially if you require a back-up system. Some energy-saving devices and systems are more cost-effective to install with the water heater.

Off Grid Solar System - Solar System for Home:

As the demand and prices of electricity have kept on rising, the world looks at renewable energy sources for its power needs. In recent years, solar energy has become a popular renewable energy source because of its falling costs and improving efficiencies.

A solar system is a setup that generates electricity by utilizing the solar energy system. A typical solar system consists of solar panels (which absorb sunlight), inverter (which converts DC into AC), mounting structure (that hold the panels in place), batteries (to store the extra power generated), grid box and balance of systems (wires, nuts etc.). A solar system comes in various sizes like 1 kWh, 2 kWh 3kW, 5kW, 7.5 kW, and 10kW.

What is Off-Grid Solar System (with Battery)?

A solar system which has battery storage and a backup is called an off grid solar system that generates electricity after power cut or during the night hours.  It has the four major components, such as solar panels, inverter, battery and balancing of system. This solar system is more popular and comes with a power backup and it works independently of the grid.

How does an off grid solar system work?

An off-Grid solar system has four main components, a solar panel, solar inverter, battery, and balancing of the system. Solar panels generate DC Current in sunlight and store it in batteries. If you want to run DC applications (12V), such as Fans, Lights, you need a charge controller. Whereas, if you want to run AC appliances (220V), you need an inverter that converts DC Voltage to AC Voltage. Nowadays, all inverters work automatically, that is the electricity generated by the solar system charges batteries and runs appliances directly. Also, batteries run appliances directly in case of power failure.

How can I calculate off grid solar system?

Most home appliances such as Fans, TV, Cooler, AC, Water Pump, etc. can work through this system. For instance, a 1 kW off-grid solar system is sufficient for a 2-4 BHK house. But if you also want to run 1HP Water Pump in your home you could use a 3 kW off-grid solar system. If you are planning to run an AC then you should use a 5 kW solar system. For commercial setups like a shop, clinic or small mill, petrol pump a 10 kW off-grid solar system should be used.

It is the most common type of solar power system with backup. It works in day and night both, during the day, solar panel charges the battery and runs the home appliances such as Air Conditioners, Cooler, Television and submersible pump. At night, when the sun is not available, Inverter runs your home appliances using the battery power.

Advantage: No dependency on government electricity power

Drawback: Expensive than on-grid solar power system 

What is latest technology trends in solar inverters?

What is the difference between on grid and off grid solar system?

The main differences between a grid-connected solar system (on-grid) and a stand alone solar system (off-grid) are:

1. An Off-Grid solar system will work even after a power cut, whereas an On-Grid won't work.

2. Off-Grid solar system is more expensive than a grid-connected solar system.

What is latest technology trends in solar inverters?

There are two types of solar inverters, 

1) PWM Based – relatively low efficiency

2) MPPT Based – high efficiency 

PWM Based – It stands for a pulse with modulation, these inverter low on efficiency but prices are very low. For smaller needs, PWM based inverters are recommended for smaller use such as running 3-4 fans, 8-10 lights, 1-2 Television, 1 Refrigerator in day and night.

MPPT Based – It stands for Maximum power point tracking. If your purpose of investment in solar is to save electricity bill, then it is strongly recommended to opt for MPPT based inverters.  

How can I install off grid solar system capacity?

Rooftop Solar systems are generally installed on a home's roof, wall, tin shade, garden, door, etc. There are a few checks to be done before the installation of the solar panel stand, such as longitude and latitude angle, sun direction, wind pressure, wiring connection, area optimization, etc. To give the best installation according to customer needs, an engineer visit must be done.

Loom Solar is a trusted solar panel manufacturer in India when it comes to installation of a solar system. The company has successfully installed solar systems all across India in states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, etc. Loom Solar has the experience of installing 1 kW, 5kW and 10 kW solar systems. Most of the installations have been done at residences, factories, transportation, hospitals, schools, offices, petrol pump, etc.

What appliances will be running on off-grid solar powered system?

In off-grid solar-powered system, how much power you can run depends upon the power of Inverter and it’s efficiency, generally all inverter comes with 80% efficiency,  so, if you buy 3 kw Inverter system then up to 2,400 watts of peak power you can run at given point of time. An 1.5 ton inverter air-conditioner and 0.5 HP submersible can be run on 3kW Solar System successfully.

On Grid Solar System: 

PC ENGINEERING An on-grid or grid-tied solar system is a system that works along with the grid. This means that any excess or deficiency of power can be fed to the grid through net metering. Many residential users are opting for an On-grid solar system as they get a chance to enjoy credit for the excess power their system produces and save on their electricity bills. You will always have power either from the solar system or from the grid. They do not have batteries.

Product Market Size & industry:

The solar market in India is very attractive and the country is expecting investment worth $500 billion in renewable energy by 2028. India has a target to reach 227 GM of renewable energy by 2022 of which about 114 GW is planned for solar, 67 GW for wind, and balance for hydro and bio among others. The country’s installed renewable energy capacity stood at 94.43 GW as of February 2021. It is expected that by 2040, around 49% of the total electricity will be generated by renewable energy. In addition, the Government of India wants to develop a green city in every Indian state, powered by renewable energy.

In order to achieve the above target, the Indian Government has launched several schemes to encourage solar power generation in the country like Solar Park Scheme, VGF Schemes, CPSU Scheme, Defence Scheme, Canal bank & Canal top Scheme, Bundling Scheme, Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Scheme, etc. Many policy measures are also undertaken to promote the on-grid solar power plants.

How It Works?

In an on-grid solar system, solar panels will continue to produce power during the day. This power can either be used instantly or exported to the grid with no backup for power outages. If at any time the system runs out of power, it draws the same from the electricity grid. Hence, a user will never run out of power in this case. Similarly, any excess that is produced by the system is fed to the grid. The advantage of an on-grid system is that the user will get a credit in his electricity bill for the extra power he sent to the grid. So, his electricity bills will also reduce. Always assess your Home's Energy Consumption, Solar Potential, Solar Electricity Needs, etc. before installing an on-grid solar system.

The light from the sun falls on the solar panels from where electricity is generated. This DC from the sun is converted into AC with the help of the inverter, which is then used by consumers in their homes or any commercial establishment. Till this stage operations of any solar system is the same. The main difference is beyond this point. After the electricity that is consumed by us, there can be two routes for the extra energy generated:

1. It can be either stored in batteries for use at a later part of the day (off-grid solar system) or

2. Fed to the grid (on-grid solar system). Based on the feed-in-tariff rates (tariff fixed by the government, for purchase of the solar power generated       from solar plants) in your area, your electricity bill is reduced for the amount of power that you have sold to the power grid.

Benefits

1. Guaranteed 24*7 power supply - With an option to use either solar power or the main power grid, the consumer will always have access to power and will never suffer from a power outage.

2. Opportunity to earn more - With the help of a net meter installed at your home, you can track the number of units you sent to the power grid and claim a credit for that in your home electricity bill. This forms a lucrative option for the consumers who think of it as an extra opportunity to make money. Almost all the states in the USA and even India have mandated Net Metering.

3. More Savings - The main purpose of installing an on-grid solar system is to reduce your electricity bills. You can adjust the usage depending upon peak demand hours and hence end up paying no peak demand charges. These are the higher rate of charge that the utility charges for using the grid during high-demand hours. Also, you end up paying less on electricity bills and earn more through Net Metering.

4. Good Investment Returns - An on-grid solar system offers a good investment option. It has 5 years as payback time and provides free electricity for the next two decades. You can convert your own property into a revenue-generating avenue by investing in solar and achieving ROI in just 4-5 years.

5. Works efficiently - The on-grid system works in sync with the grid. There is no limitation in the grid-tied system, you can run any home appliance on the grid-tied solar system. Also, it utilizes 100% of solar power produced from solar panels. For example, a 1 kW on-grid system can run 5 kW power.

6. Easy to install - Installation of an on-grid system is easy and can be done easily by oneself on the rooftop. It can be easily installed on residential rooftops, rooftops of commercial complexes, housing societies, community centres, government organizations, private institutions, etc.

7. Less Costly - Since an on-grid solar system does not require batteries, it is cheaper to install when compared to an off-grid system. It is less costly when compared to other solar systems.

8. Less Maintenance - An on-grid solar system involves less maintenance and generally has a longer life when compared to an off-grid system.

9. Subsidies and Other Incentives - A user can avail of government subsidies and other incentives to install on-grid solar systems.

Drawbacks

*Does not come with backup, the system does not work when there is a power cut.

Primary Components:

1. Solar Panel - Solar panels are the main components of the on-grid solar system. They comprise more than 50% of the total cost of a solar system and are the components that capture solar energy and convert solar energy into electrical energy.

2. Solar Inverter - Solar Inverters help in converting the DC output produced from the solar panel into AC supply.

3. Panel Stand - Panel stands are also a major component of the entire solar system. Some people do not give much heed to this component and try and save a few bucks by using a low-quality stand. However, remember that this stand will support the solar panels and if the stand is not sturdy your solar panels could just fall resulting in a heavy loss. It is the skeletal structure holding the panel in the proper position. These stands are generally made of aluminum or galvanized iron. Solar panel stands can be fixed or movable to track the sun.

4. Solar Wire - Solar Wire or Solar Cable is the medium through which electricity is transferred from solar panels to the inverter. Generally, there are two types of wires in the market, such as AC Wire and DC Wire. It is called a solar wire as the solar panel output is DC current.

5. DCDB / ACDB - DC Distribution Board or DCDB is used for connecting the output power from the solar panel to the input of the inverter while AC Distribution Board or ACDB distributes the electrical power from a solar inverter to the AC load system through an energy meter.

6. Earthing Kit - An earthing kit is used to protect the on-grid solar system from thunder.

7. Lighting Arrestor - Lightning Arrestor is used to protect the on-grid solar system from lightning

8. Net Meter & Solar Meter - Net metering is a special metering and billing agreement between utilities and their customers, which facilitates the connection of small, renewable energy-generating systems to the power grid. It is an important component in an on-grid solar system as it keeps the reading to claim credit in your future electricity bills. For solar energy, Net Metering is also very important as solar energy unlike other forms of renewable energy is produced a lot in residential and commercial segments.

9. Safety Equipment - To safeguard the solar system from damages such as lightning and other faulty conditions, protection devices are used. These comprise of surge arrestor, circuit breaker, grounding method, etc.

10. Installation Accessories - These include installation accessories like wires, cabling, mounting structures, junction boxes, etc. 

Government Subsidy Scheme on Rooftop Solar:

In March 2021, Haryana announced a scheme with a 40% subsidy for a 3 KW plant in homes, in accordance with MNRE's guidelines, to encourage solar energy in the state. For solar systems of 4-10 kW, a 20% subsidy would be available for installation from specified companies. You can get subsidies on solar system Haryana state's location, such as Karnal, Hisar, Rohtak, Gurgaon, Yamuna Nagar, Sonipat, Panipat, Ambala, Sirsa, Rewari, Ratia, Mandi Adampur, Kaithal, Faridabad, Kurukshetra, Bhiwani, and more.

One can get a capital subsidy of up to INR 20,000 per Kilowatt. However, the eligible party should have a grid-connected, battery-less system and should be a domestic consumer to claim the benefit. Also, the system should be Made in India. MNRE has also prescribed CFA to residential customers for installing grid-connected solar rooftop (4 GW):

• CFA @ 40% for capacity up to 3 kW

• CFA @ 20% for capacity beyond 3 kW and up to 10 kW

• CFA @ 20% for GHS/RWA capacity up to 500 kW (limited to 10 kW per house and total upto 500 kWp)

Domestic manufactured modules and solar cells should be used. CFA shall be on % of the benchmark cost of MNRE for the state/ UT or lowest of the costs discovered in the tenders for that state/ UT in that year, whichever is lower. The residential consumer who wishes to seek CFA has to approach the DISCOMs operating in his area for installation of rooftop solar plant and get the CFA. 

Net Metering Process

For a grid-connected solar system, any excess power generated can be sold back to the grid and the customer will be credited for that. But how would you determine the amount of the credit in your electricity bill? Does it make sense to sell excess power to the grid? Could I not benefit from the extra energy generated? Let’s take a look at how to answer all these questions.

On-grid solar system is very popular in western countries. This program is successfully running in countries like Australia, Canada, Italy, Spain, Denmark, and the United States. In India, net metering could act as an important incentive for consumer investment in onsite renewable energy generation and encourage consumers to go solar. In India too, grid-connected ground-mounted systems exceeded their 9 GW installation target for 2017-18 and installed a total of 9009.81 MW. Despite nearly all the Indian states announcing net metering policies for rooftop solar, there are practical issues around grid integration and DISCOM finances. Check Net Metering Process, 

Return on Investment:

he economics of rooftop solar energy in India has become extremely compelling. It makes great sense for commercial and industrial customers to use rooftop solar energy as it has become much cheaper than the grid electricity. You can convert your own property into a revenue-generating avenue by investing in solar nd achieving ROI in just 4-5 years.

On Grid Solar System FAQs

How to choose a solar system capacity for my home?

How much electricity do you consume per month from your gird supply? This is the main criteria to select solar system capacity. Please note, The purpose of installing on-grid solar system is to reduce electricity bill.  Below is the table to understand how to choose on-grid solar system capacity based upon power consumption and monthly electricity meter reading.

What happens, when my power consumption is very low?

The advantage of on-grid solar system is awesome, if you are not using electricity at your home, the power generated from solar system will be fed back to the grid. The state government will give you money for sending electricity to gird.  

Which Solar Brands and Products are the Best?

The number of brands offering solar energy products is rapidly increasing. And each solar expert you speak with will have certain products they recommend, and they usually have very convincing reasons for recommending those products.  This can make it a challenge for consumers to know whose opinion to trust, and which products are truly the best.

An on-grid solar system is a grid-connected solar PV System which works along with the grid. In the Grid-Tied solar system for home, Loom Solar has tied up with the Chinese solar giant, Trina Solar for the distributorship of its Trina Home solution, which is a complete solar rooftop home solution customized for India. Available in 3 kW, 5 kW, and 10 kW capacities, these kits come with a 25-year module performance warranty. It is suitable for installation in residences, schools, hospitals, SME establishments etc.

Read Full Details about How to get Subsidy on Solar?

So how do you choose? - Our best suggestion is to find a solar expert/professional you trust and allow them to guide you through the ever-changing maze of renewable technology. Loom Solar helps 1 million solar buyers every month. So, Go Solar...Think Loom Solar.

HOW TO INSTALL ON-GRID SOLAR SYSTEM?

On-grid solar is preferred by masses as it provides an additional advantage to earn from your solar system. People can install on-grid solar systems and enjoy the benefit of net metering policies to avail credit in their electricity bills. But before the installation, a buyer has numerous questions in his mind regarding the concept, subsidies, suppliers, method of installation, prevailing net metering rules etc. In this article, we attempt to answer all these queries.

Which appliances run on the grid-tied solar system?

The on-grid system works in sync with the grid, unlike inverters, there is no limitation in the grid-tied system, you can run everything off your home on the grid-tied solar system. For example, a 1 kW on-grid system can run 5 kW power.