The biggest benefit of a solar installation is the reduced dependency on the grid. At an individual level, this has long-term returns on expenses generated through energy. While electricity bills can be brought down drastically, schemes like net-metering can provide the opportunity for higher money returns through excess energy generation.
Maxson Lewis, managing director, Magenta Power
At a social level, the biggest benefit of using renewable energy is taking the load off exhaustible resources. This allows utility companies to distribute electricity more consistently throughout the country. In addition, a major amount of carbon footprint can be reduced. Especially in states where there is abundant sunlight throughout the year, domestic buildings and offices can greatly benefit from solar energy.
However, solar installations require end-users to follow a strict checklist to ensure proper return on investment (ROI). There are many market challenges as well, which need to be addressed. To understand solar rooftops better, EFY spoke with Maxson Lewis, managing director, Magenta Power Pvt Ltd. Excerpts are as follows:
Q. What are some important points to consider for solar rooftops?
A. Two important parameters that can help you decide whether you should invest in a solar rooftop are maintenance and ROI.
In terms of maintenance, there are two aspects: shading and dust. Before getting the installation done, it is important to get a shade analysis done for the installation area. Even if a part of the solar panel comes under shade, the whole panel becomes inefficient.
Unfortunately, in many cases, shade of one panel falls on the other. This is because there are no regulations in place for such installations. Internationally, there are rules for installation and governing guidelines for design, configuration, safety and deployment of solar rooftops. Some Indian state discoms follow certain guidelines, but nowhere near as in-depth as the ones in, say, the US and Europe. This is a major reason why many people do not get proper payback. Installation must follow a proper string design.
As part of maintenance, rooftop panels need to be installed in such a way that these can be cleaned at least once a month. There are fabrication solutions to ensure this. For instance, Magenta Power provides a walk-way that not only guarantees access but also ensures safety. Deployment must be at an accessible position.
In terms of ROI, you should look at it from a 25-year perspective. Solar is a long-term solution. Moreover, installation should be done with all sorts of safety and security parameters in place. You should analyse the various technical elements and costs associated for understanding their tentative benefits.
Q. Are the prices affordable enough to invest in this technology?
A. The prices are coming down. Three years ago, the cost was close to ` 90,000 – ` 100,000 per kW. Last year it was about ` 60,000 per kW. This year, it is down to about ` 50,000 per kW.
This is the best time to invest in solar. China’s panel market has kind of crashed. All panels are now open in the market, forcing others to deliver it at a lower price point. However, it has reached a point where optimisation in input cost has already happened. I do not see it going any further down. Anything lower will have a trade-off with quality. Hence, I believe that the next two years will be the most profitable times to invest in solar.
Q. Are there any solutions for those who live in rented properties?
A. It is understandable that many people living in rented accomodations may not want to invest a high amount. However, there are solutions for them as well. We have devised a portable solar solution that can be installed in a day or two—and be dismantled in one day. We have done this in a lot of places, including a school in Mumbai that had plans of renovation in another two years. The whole system was of 20kW capacity.
The cost of the portable system is about the same as that of the traditional one. However, the main advantage is portability. In the traditional system, wiring is the reason it cannot be moved often. Moreover, it takes up to two weeks to install. However, you should go for a portable system only if you plan to stay in the same place for at least two to three years.
Q. Are there any legal regulations associated?
A. There are some regulations across various municipalities. For instance, in Mumbai, if you live in a rented flat where only you want solar—and no one else—there is a law called Bye Law 171. This lets you apply for solar and the rest of the housing is obliged to give you space for the same.
However, there is no law surrounding the structure that is required for installation of solar on a building because it is a temporary structure. Hence, there is no formal procedure of applying and getting approvals for this structure.
Q. What are the market challenges that need to be addressed?
A. While there is a lot of talk about solar in the media, various conferences and events, at the end-user level, practical awareness is limited. People know that solar technology exists and, in some way, beneficial for power generation. But the business case for solar rooftop—how benefits will come in—is not clear to the consumers.
The aim of industry players and media alike should be to talk more about the various benefits. For instance, till today, people have the notion that the payback period of rooftop solar is over five years. It has to be explained that ROI period has come down to four years, or earlier.
Moreover, people do not have clarity on the concept of net-metering. They still go by the investment required in batteries. We have to make them understand that net-metering does not require a battery and, thus, the cost of installation is lower.
Policies also play a major role in creating awareness. Today, different states have different solar policies. And the way every policy is executed at ground level is different. This needs to be improved.
Then, getting the help of discoms to set up solar and net-metering is difficult, especially in Maharashtra. While many discoms in Mumbai are helpful, rest of the state faces many challenges. Discoms believe their revenue will go down if people start using solar instead of relying on the grid. They are taking solar as competition. They need to be explained that micro-generation helps stabilise the grid.
