Question 1

What is Solar PV power generation plant? How it works?

Accepted Answer

Solar PV power generation plant uses sun power (sun rays) to generate electricity
with the help of solar PV panels & required electronics & electrical equipment to convert the electricity generated by solar panels into electricity suitable for a normal grid i.e. MSEB grid. Sanctioned load [kw] is the maximum capacity that the consumer can install in the solar rooftop PV plant.
The pictorial representation below illustrates the Grid connected Solar PV rooftop system.

Grid connected solar PV rooftop system
Solar PV arrays generate DC power. This DC power is converted to AC power via the inverter and the AC power is supplied (or fed) into the electricity lines.

Question 2

How is a Solar PV power plant beneficial for residence, society complex, Commercial spaces & Industries?

Accepted Answer

Society premises normally have enough terrace space available for the installation of solar PV power plants. Society's common lighting, lift, water pump, water treatment plant, swimming pool pumps, etc. have considerable electrical unit consumption. Installation of solar rooftop PV power plant can help to reduce electricity bills. Commercial electricity is much costlier than residential thereby commercial & industrial solar rooftop PV plant reduces the most threatening factor on business profitability i.e. electricity bills.

Question 3

What is net metering, how it works?

Accepted Answer

Electricity generated by solar PV plants is injected into the MSEB grid through the NET METERING system. A net meter is a bidirectional meter that measures power generated through a solar plant & excess units are exported to the MSEB grid and vice versa. As of now, as per net metering policy, units generated by the solar power plant are measured in a 1:1 ratio which means if society uses monthly electricity units say, 1000 units & the solar plant has generated 1000units, then consumer electricity bill can get almost nullified due to use of solar PV power plant. If excess units are made by the Solar PV than usage, then, it’s stored in MSEB unit bank & if deficit, it’s imported from MSEB.
With a rightly designed & installed solar PV plant,residential applications can reduce their bills to almost zero. Even commercial & industrial applications can reduce their electricity bills by up to 80%.
The important point in net meter is that the net meter application is submitted to the
divisional MSEB office. Every area has a cap of 40% of the transformer capacity of
that area allotted for solar PV plant power injection into the grid.

Question 4

How much investment is required for solar PV plant project?

Accepted Answer

It depends upon the site, structure height, building height, components used in the plant, etc. Our consultant can provide the exact required investment by visiting the site.

Question 5

How much is the payback period of project?

Accepted Answer

The payback period depends on various factors i.e. electricity rate, price offered [investment], say a consumer with electricity Rs.12.00/ unit will have a comparatively higher payback period than society/consumer with Rs.16.00/unit. Normal payback varies in the range of 36 to 48 Months. Commercial applications like shops, hotels, offices, and factories could have approx. 24-month payback period being in higher unit rates.

Question 6

How much is system warranty?

Accepted Answer

Solar PV modules are offered with 25 Years of warranty. The remaining system is warranted for 5 Years. The structure used in the plant is either Galvanized Iron (GI) or hot dip GI to avoid rust. Inverters & other electrical components are IP 65, so they can withstand harsh weather conditions.

Question 7

Is a financing option offered to consumers?

Accepted Answer

We can suggest suitable service providers however the final decision remains with them, based on the customer profile.

Question 8

How much time does it take to reduce actual electricity bills after the installation of the plant?

Accepted Answer

After net meter installation, normally it takes 1-2 Billing cycles i.e. 1-2 months at MSEB end to update the system. However MSEB counts the units generated by Solar PV plant since the net meter installation date , so customer units doesn’t lapse. But they only reflect in further bills on pro-rata basis, based on the time require to update at MSEB system. Though its time consuming process, once done, consumer has check the electricity rates through net metering, on grid system and thus safeguard himself for any electricity rates hike for future 25 years.

Frequently asked questions