The Anti-Solar Panel

There are different kinds of solar panels. The most typically used is a type that generates electricity from the sun through a physical process called the photo-voltaic (PV) effect – when light exposure on certain materials generates an electric current. Another kind of solar panel is the one that inspired a team of researchers at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California to develop a new system that can harness energy in darkness. It’s based on the concept of using heat to generate energy but an inverse version of the solar panel. While the solar panel uses the heat difference between the sun and Earth with the Earth being the cooler side – their system makes use of the heat difference between the coolness of the night atmosphere and the Earth with the Earth being the hotter side. 

Named as “anti-solar panel” by some, the device has the potential to bridge the gap left by solar energy, collecting energy from the night sky. The thermoelectric generator-based device harnesses the variance in temperature between Earth and outer space by using “a passive cooling mechanism known as radiative sky cooling to maintain the cold side of a thermoelectric generator several degrees below ambient.”

The researchers have only tested their system with a very small prototype. The device was a 20-centimeter (8-inch) aluminum disk painted black and hooked up to commercial thermoelectricity generators. It successfully created enough energy to power a single small LED lightbulb–a small success with immeasurably massive potential. It’s even possible that the device could act in reverse during the daytime, absorbing sunlight and producing electricity from a heat travelling from the sun to the disk and into the outside environment.

For now, this device doesn’t come close to the energy harvesting abilities of a solar panel but the technology is still only in the research and development stage. The researchers have already planned improvements including enhanced insulation around the top plate that could potentially raise the device’s energy production to 0.5 watts per square meter or more, and this is only the beginning.

Once they are able to refine the system to produce anywhere close to as much energy as a standard solar panel, it could completely transform the renewable energy sector. It’s cheaper to make and can provide a way to generate electricity at a time that solar panels can’t.

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What is 1 kW ?

What does 1 kW means? For many it is quite simple but in reality it is not. As per definition, 1 KiloWatt is a unit of energy which transmitted or used at a constant rate (power) over a period of time. The total energy in kilowatt hours is equal to the power in kilowatts multiplied by the time in hours.

When we are talking in reference to solar system then, 1 kW can be expounded in two way- 1 kW AC and 1 kW DC. There is difference between 1 kW and 1 kWp. Actually, 1 kW means 1 kW AC which is general is  misconceive as 1 kW DC. 1 kW  DC is  represented as 1 kWp. 

1 kW AC is 1000 watts of AC power generated by converting DC power through Solar Inverter. It is equal to capacity of Solar Inverter. On other hand, 1 kWp mean 1000 watt of DC peak power. It is maximum DC power generated by solar modules and is equal to total capacity of solar modules.

Example: 308 nos. of 325 Wp solar panel with 2 nos. of 50 kW solar inverter. In this case, DC capacity would be 100.10 kWp and AC capacity would be 100 kW. The difference is noticeable through above example. The ratio of DC capacity to AC capacity is called over-loading or under-loading.

So, next time if someone says 1 kW, do question him/ her  whether he means AC or DC.

SRISTI for Solar Rooftop Plant Scheme 2018

Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Central Government has proposed SRISTI Scheme. Subsequently, this “Sustainable Rooftop Implementation for Solar Transfiguration of India (SRISTI) scheme” will provide incentives for the installation of rooftop solar power plant projects in India.

This concept of solar power plant subsidy will form the basis of the revised scheme of MNRE to implement solar rooftop projects in Phase II. Moreover, CCEA note which was submitted earlier to the Union Cabinet in April will get replaced by this SRISTI Scheme.

The primary objective of this proposed scheme is to generate 40 GW power from the solar rooftops till the financial year 2021-2022. For this reason, central govt. is going to spend Rs. 23,450 crore for this scheme.

SRISTI Scheme – Features

The important features and highlights of this scheme are as follows:-

• This Solar Power Plant Subsidy Scheme will provide incentives for the sustainable implementation of Rooftop.
• Subsequently, this scheme will form the advanced version of the previous MNRE scheme in Phase II.
• Accordingly, govt. will integrate Discoms to implement this solar subsidy scheme.
• Central govt. will provide financial assistance to implement rooftop solar power plants for the residential users.
• Henceforth, users of the residential sectors can install the particular in-line capacity as per their necessity and their SERC (State Electricity Regulation Commission) Regulation.
• Central govt. will provide subsidy up to 5 KWP capacity of power plant.
• Furthermore, govt. aims to generate 40,000 MW power with a total outlay of Rs 23,450 crore.

SRISTI Scheme – Incentives

Central Govt. is going to provide incentives for successful installation of solar projects:-

1. Govt. provides incentives for subsidy to users of the residential sector at Rs. 18,000/KW which will get calculated at benchmark cost of Rs. 60,000/KW.
2. Subsequently, govt. will also provide incentives to the Discoms for various sectors which includes social, institutional, government sectors, commercial and industrial sector. The rates are fixed at Rs. 5,500/KW which govt. will calculate at total cost of Rs. 55,000/KW.
3. Under this solar subsidy scheme, govt. will provide total incentive of Rs. 9000 crore for installation of power plants of 5,000 MW capacity.
4. Moreover, govt. will provide incentives for Discoms of total 14,450 crore for installations of solar rooftops of 35,000 MW.
5. Furthermore, total outlay of this scheme is Rs. 23,450 crore for power generation of 40 GW capacity of solar rooftops.

The notice from MNRE on SRISTI can be downloaded from here.

An Overview: Solar Power Optimizer

With changing times, technology of solar has also changed. We have seen efficiency of modules growing from 12 to 23 %. With advancing technology in solar module, why should other components lag behind. Welcome a innovative product that has  recently entered into Indian market. This product has already created buzz in US  and is currently dominating US solar sector. Its, Solar Power Optimzer.

A power optimizer is a DC to DC converter technology developed to maximize the energy harvest from solar photovoltaic or wind turbine systems. They do this by individually tuning the performance of the panel or wind turbine through maximum power point tracking, and optionally tuning the output to match the performance of the string inverter.

Presently, SolarEdge is the only distributor of Power Optimizer in India. SolarEdge is a global leading inverter manufacturer with has shipped over 7.5GW of its DC optimized inverter systems shipped, and over 600,000 SolarEdge PV sites monitored in 125 countries around the world. SolarEdge has partnered with India's electrical giant, Havells India Limited. 

Havells  India Limited is a leading US$ 1.3 bn Fast Moving Electrical Goods  (FMEG)  Company  with a market capitalisation US$ 3.3 bn and a major  power distribution equipment manufacturer with a strong global presence in 45Countries. Havells enjoy enviable market dominance across  a  wide spectrum of products, including Industrial & Domestic Circuit  Protection  Devices,  Cables  & Wires, Motors, Fans, Modular Switches,  Home Appliances, Electric Water Heaters, Power Capacitors, CFL   Lamps,  Luminaires  for  Domestic,  Commercial  and  industrial Applications.

                                 

By entering Indian market in partnership with Havells India Limited, has created a sense of insecurity for their fellow solar inverter manufacturer because of its advance technology. SolarEdge has entered with their high end products: Solar Power Optimizer, Solar Grid Tied Inverter, Environmental sensors and communication gateways.

Since India is a price conscious market and it takes time to accept new technology, it will be early to decide its growth & sale in Indian Solar market.  Looking at the US market, the efficiency and performance of Power Optimizer is better as comparison to conventional inverter. But the question lies whether this futuristic gadget are pocket friendly or not. Secondly, will they perform equally good in Indian climate condition as it is a bit harsh comparing US. Time will tell about its performance and future of power optimizer in India.

Solar Energy: More Sunny, More Money

Solar Energy, a topic which is receiving close review as compared to any other sectors. And why not, it is not only a fabulous way to reduce the issue of various environmental problems but also a chance for us to balance the overutilized conventional resources. By switching to solar we all are reducing the pressure on our fast depleting resources such as coal, petroleum etc. Here I wouldn't be discussing about already known social and environmental benefits. Here I would be discussing solar energy as a business prospective, I see solar as a fantastic opportunity for business, especially when there is strong support from government in form of subsidy and incentive, it give every individual to monetize solar. From a MNC point of view, its a great way to add some CSR credit under their belt.

The Government of India has appointed Ministry of New And Renewable Energy, commonly called MNRE  as government body to govern Solar Energy sector. Solar energy power plant are considered to be easy to  earn instead of  other renewable sources.There are different models or schemes through which one can generate electricity and sell it. 

1. Power Purchase Agreement:

 It is an agreement between an EPC contractor/ System Integrator and government for 25 years. The government purchase electricity at a fixed tariff decided by competitive bidding. Government releases tender periodically, and system integrator can participate in these tender, offline or on-line.

2. Net Metering:

It is a not necessary that an owner uses all its the electricity generated by the Solar PV system. In order to utilize the maximum from the system, government give opportunity to owner to monetize the unused electricity generated from PV system. For each unit supplied to grid , a certain tariff is provided  OR can be compensate from the next billing cycle. 

Incentive= (Electricity in kWh generated from Solar PV system - Electricity in kWh consumed)* tariff

Net metering policy also helps in lowering to the cost slab which indirectly helps in reducing electricity bill.

The net metering policy differs from state to state. So it is recommended to go through net metering policy before investing.

3. Gross Metering:

It is similar to net metering except in gross metering policy, instead of providing incentive on difference of the electricity unit; incentive is provided on total electricity generated from solar PV system. None of the electricity produced can be utilized by the owner. The policy is applicable in few state only.

4. Third Party Sell:

It is privatized version of power purchase agreement. In this case, the power agreement is made between developer and non-government body( private party) on a mutual tariff and mutual time period. It is generally referred to as RESCO model.

In RESCO model, the initial investment has to be made by developer.Before investing in such model, it is suggested to go through company profile and credit rating. 

5. Captive Usage:
"Money saved is Money earned"
This is mainly applicable for industrial and commercial users. These include, manufacturing plants, cold storage, hotels and retail outlet etc. In the mentioned areas, the consumption is quite high. In order to reduce their monthly bill , it is advisable to install solar system. These sectors are blessed with large area, hence hundreds of kW  of capacity can be easily installed.

6. REC
It stands for Renewable Energy Certificates. It is mandatory for any electricity generating company to resources to generate 2%  through renewable resource and facilitate compliance of renewable power obligation. The government provides an flexibility to them of purchasing REC. The value of 1 REC = 1MWh, this means that person/ company possessing 1 REC has generated 1 MWh units of electricity. Now instead of installing on solar system, one can simply buy REC from other party. The REC once issued shall remain valid for One thousand and ninety-five days from the date of issuance of such Certificate. REC would be exchanged only in the CERC approved power exchanges. For more details on REC,click here.