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Volume 08. l Issue 1
January 2018
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 47
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 2
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 3
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Exclusive Interviews
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Mr. Ivan Saha Head -Solar Manufacturing & CTO, Vikram Solar
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Mr. Ashok D M Chairman & Managing Director, Avi Solar Energy Pvt Ltd.
News At Glance � Indian News ........................................................06 � International News............................................08
Industry Insights � AC-coupled systems.........................................21
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Mr. Krishnendu Mukherjee COO, Sova Solar Ltd.
� Everything you need to know about commercial solar battery storage................24 � What a solar asset management team can do for your business.....................25 � Single Axis Tracker- Factors Affecting Gain......................................................26 � Indian solar sector booming, but now comes the real test..........................27
14
Mr. Brijesh Gupta CEO, AMPL Cleantech Pvt. Ltd
� Four examples of why you need Solar Asset Management................................29 � What’s the right technology to keep tabs on our increasingly complex webs of power generation assets?..........................31
� Meco .....................................................................33 Mr. Anirban Das Associate Vice President, Kotak Infrastructure Debt Fund
� Goodwe ................................................................34 Company Feature
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Editorial: Neha Barangali Nikita Salkar
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 5
Indian News
I
ndia defends solar panel makers from Chinese rivals
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billion to fund a plan to substantially increase the share of
Modi’s plan to install 100 gigawatts of capacity by 2022.
renewable power supply in the country’s grid by 2022.
This setback comes just as the sector is bouncing back on
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to the growth track after battling a difficult year.
ndia to set up fund to finance solar power projects
W
hat’s bothering the domestic solar industry?
licensing@ft.com to buy additional rights. Subscribers
India has proposed setting up a $350-million fund for
may share up to 10 or 20 articles per month using the gift
solar power projects as part of global efforts by member
Late last month, the government had ordered a safeguard
article service.
countries of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to
duty probe on surging solar cell imports with a view to
India has become the latest battleground in the fight to
mobilise funds for solar energy projects, minister of state
protect domestic manufacturers. But today, the All India
protect solar panel manufacturers from cheap Chinese
for power and new and renewable energy Raj Kumar Singh
Solar Industries Association (AISIA), the industry body
rivals, as regulators plan a 70 per cent import duty that
has said.
of domestic solar manufacturers, has come out strongly
developers warn could halt the fast-expanding industry in
Delivering the keynote address at an event organised
against the imposition of any such blanket import duty,
its tracks. Some of the country’s biggest builders of solar
by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in Abu Dhabi on
claiming that it will hurt manufacturers operating from
farms are battling proposals by Indian regulators to impose
Wednesday, the minister said India will need at least $125
special economic zones (SEZs).
an emergency tax on solar cells imported from China and
billion to fund a plan to substantially increase the share of
“SEZ units are treated on par with foreign manufacturers
Malaysia, as well as more developed economies. The plans
renewable power supply in the country’s grid by 2022.
and hence any safeguard duty will be detrimental to the
are likely to have a big impact on the Chinese industry, which has ramped up exports to India in part because of domestic oversupply.
I
ndia to set up $350 mn fund for solar projects to meet renewable energy target Minister confident of achieving 175 GW of installed capacity well before 2020. India will set up a $350 million fund to finance solar projects, Power Minister R.K. Singh said, as the country steps up efforts to achieve its ambitious target of adding 175 gigawatts (GW) in renewable energy by 2022. India will need at least $125 billion to fund a plan to increase the share of renewable power supply in the country’s grid by 2022, underlining the immense financing challenge ahead.
C
hinese imports edge out domestic solar players
The National Solar Mission may have set a target of 20 million m2 (metre square) solar thermal capacity with ‘Make in India’ panels, but the government’s proposed incentives package has left this segment of the domestic solar industry out in the cold even though it is getting swamped by cheaper Chinese imports. The renewable energy ministry has proposed a slew of incentives only for domestic solar PV (photovoltaic) industry, ignoring the fact that solar thermal sector — once the only 100% indigenised solar technology — has lost 60% market share to cheaper supplies from Chinese companies.
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ndia to launch $350-mn fund for solar projects
India has proposed setting up a $350-million fund for solar power projects as part of global efforts by member countries of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to
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domestic solar industry as a whole,” said AISIA general
ndia is said to consider 7.5% tariff on imported solar panels
India, the largest buyer of solar equipment from neighboring China, is considering a 7.5 percent tax on imported solar panels, according to government officials with knowledge of the situation. Such imports aren’t taxed now, but might be reclassified as motors, which are subject to the tariff, the officials said, asking not to be named until a final decision was taken. The finance ministry is considering the renewable-energy ministry’s request to tax panels imported for projects won under future solar auctions while exempting those already awarded, they said.
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TO: Support grows for India in solar tiff with US
The European Union, Canada, Brazil, China, and Japan were among those who supported India on Friday in the solar panel dispute with the US at the World Trade Organization (WTO), people familiar with the development said. According to these countries, Washington’s demand for trade retaliatory measures against India is unjustified. In the face of sharp differences, the matter was referred to arbitration.
Emmvee Photovoltaic Power Private Limited, India’s top solar PV module manufacturer commissions 1 MW solar rooftop project at its solar water heater manufacturing facility. Emmvee has always lived up to its responsibilities with green energy, comprehensive expertise and a strong focus on sustainability across all products, areas, and processes. Emmvee Solar System Private Ltd a subsidiary company of Emmvee Group,which produces Solarizer solar hot water heating system now installed with 1MW solar rooftop project 3312 no’smono-crystalline modules. Over all the annual power generation is 1,660,092kW/h (Units) and helps to replace 550tons of carbon emission. Speaking on the occasion D.V.Manjunatha, Founder and Managing Director, Emmvee Group said, “Weare very proud to have our own manufacturing Solarizer solar
on 12 January, the US and India clashed over Washington’s
hot water heating system facility operating with clean &
decision to seek trade retaliatory measures without
green solar energy. With our expertise and engineering
establishing that New Delhi failed to remove local content
capabilities in solar rooftop EPC projects, we were able to
requirements for manufacturing solar cells and solar
complete this project inshort duration”.
modules by the 14 December deadline.
I
ndia’s ruining its grand plans to become a solar powerhouse
The Indian government is undermining its own grand plans for the country’s solar power sector. India’s directorate general of safeguards (DGS), part of the
for power and new and renewable energy Raj Kumar
ministry of finance, has proposed a 70% safeguard duty—
Singh has said.
imposed during import surges—on imported solar cells and modules in order to protect the local industry.
by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in Abu Dhabi on
These are likely to jack up costs and add to the pressure on
Wednesday, the minister said India will need at least $125
solar power projects, thwarting prime minister Narendra
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E
MMVEE Commissioned 1MW Roof Top Solar Power Plant, At Its Solar Water Heater Manufacturing Facility in Dobespet, Karnataka.
At a meeting of the WTO’s dispute settlement body (DSB)
mobilise funds for solar energy projects, minister of state
Delivering the keynote address at an event organised
secretary Gyanesh Chaudhary in a statement.
Solar Quarter • January 2018 6
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 7
International News
T
aiwanese ‘Solar Power Flagship Company’ announced, plans for module factory in the US
Three of Taiwan’s most prominent companies involved in renewable energy technology, on Jan. 29 confirmed a proposed merger to establish a “solar flagship company”
PID (“potential induced degradation”)-free Eagle modules
Survey Digital, a company specializing in sales, installation
to Enerray, an Italian subsidiary of Maccaferri Industrial
& commissioning, and maintenance for solar inverters.
Group and Desert Technologies (‘DT’), a Saudi renewable
Survey Digital has been designated as a certified sales
energy engineering and construction contractor. Enerray and DT acted as turnkey EPC and O&M contractors for this project.
agent and service provider for AlsoEnergy in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). For AlsoEnergy, the top selling independent monitoring
to create a “competitive edge on the global market” for
Located 125 miles north of the Jordanian capital in Ma’an,
Taiwanese solar panel manufacturers.
the 23MW solar park uses 73,320 pieces of JinkoSolar
provider for commercial PV in North America, this
high-efficiency Eagle modules. The project has been
partnership is an opportunity to extend international
completed and is expected to produce approximately 47
coverage for sales and support. AlsoEnergy has expanded
GWh/year for the Red Sea port city of Aqaba and reduce
international offerings over the past several years and
The three companies involved in the merger are; Gintech Energy (TPE:3514), Solartech Energy (TPE:3561) and Neo Solar Power (TPE:3576). An “Extraordinary General Meeting” for the board of all three companies is planned for March 28, when the official resolution will be passed. After the March proceedings the combined company will be named the United Renewable Energy Co Ltd (UREC)
T
rump says solar tariff will create ‘a lot of jobs.’ But it could wipe out many more.
Trump says a tariff on solar-energy cells and panels will create jobs and revive a U.S. manufacturing sector that has been decimated by imports. The tariff sparked controversy in the solar industry after Trump imposed it Jan. 23. A couple of remaining U.S. solarcell manufacturers say it will help them get back on their feet. But the developers that install solar panels and farms - a much larger segment of the industry - say it will hike their costs, kill projects and make it harder to compete with wind and natural gas. Fueled by low prices and innovations in imported solar cells, the U.S. solar market began to grow at a breakneck pace starting in 2010.
CO2 emissions by about 25.000 tons/year. This project marks the first large scale project in the Middle East and is one of the 12 approved PV projects by the Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. It is backed by a twenty-year power purchase agreement with the National Electrical Power Transmission Company (NEPCO).
O
T
ariff on foreign-made solar products could cost Minnesota jobs
President Donald Trump promised last week that a new 30 percent tariff on foreign-built solar cells and panels will “create jobs in America for Americans.”
penetration in the EMEA region, providing localized sales and services for the AlsoEnergy product line. Survey Digital will also assume frontline support service for the existing AlsoEnergy install base in the EMEA region.
L
The low prices seen by Alberta’s recent renewable electricity
ocus Energy Announces Active Monitoring & Clarity Fleet Analysis Offerings
auction clearly shows renewable energy has arrived.
Enables residential solar asset owners, loan providers,
The future is here for no-emission, small-scale solar
installers, developers, and distributors to truly understand
power, thanks to Alberta’s abundant, world-class solar
how their PV systems are performing.
utlook is sunny for renewable energy in Alberta
resource. Energy Efficiency Alberta is helping support the growing use of solar energy to generate new jobs, train professionals and earn revenue for Alberta-based solar providers and associated service companies. Energy Efficiency Alberta was created a little more than a year ago. We launched our first program last February and currently have five programs focused on energy efficiency and small-scale renewable energy, including our Residential and Commercial Solar Program.
Locus Energy announced the launch of a comprehensive, low-cost monitoring, analytics, and fleet management solution for residential solar sites. The offerings, Active Monitoring and Clarity Fleet Analysis, separate out addressable issues, such as capacity losses, from nonaddressable issues, such as shading and snow losses, in order to increase system uptime and reduce maintenance costs. Locus currently monitors more than 5 GW of solar capacity
But the tariff is bound to change the dynamics. Will it add “a lot of jobs,” as Trump says?
the Survey Digital partnership will enable further market
A
BB to Support Integration of Solar Energy in Saudi Arabia
High voltage switchgear to support Saudi Arabia’s first integrated solar and natural gas power plant. ABB has won an order to supply Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) which will be installed at a substation that will
across more than 130,000 sites and hundreds of different device types globally, with flexible, highly reliable data acquisition services. Leveraging Locus’ expertise as the leading independent residential solar monitoring firm, the new offering ensures that residential sites are well-serviced and performing to expectations.
transmit power from Green Duba, the first integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) power plant in Saudi Arabia. Located
V
erano Capital wins large portion of Argentina’s solar tender to deliver 100 MW project
Curt Shellum, who runs a solar panel installation business
in the country’s north-west, along the Red Sea coast, when
in Rochester, doesn’t see it.
operational in 2018, the energy generated from the plant
The tariff comes too late to save Minnesota’s biggest
will be equivalent to the annual power consumption of
manufacturer of solar panels, which shut its doors in May,
approximately 600,000 Saudi Arabian households. The
Verano
and only one solar-panel plant continues to operate in the
order, worth around $26 million was booked in the fourth
headquartered in Chile, announced that it won 18% of the
state. The effect on installers like Shellum, who rely on the
quarter of 2015.
solar capacity in auction at the Argentinian energy tender
foreign producers that make 90 percent of all solar panels,
The Green Duba power plant will deploy an innovative
with its 100 MW VeCaSo-1 solar project. Located near
is likely to be higher costs.
solution that integrates solar energy and combines with
Mendoza, Verano’s PV project was selected on a winning
Some in the industry fear that the tariff could slow the
natural gas to produce up to 550 megawatts (MW) of
bid at $42.50/MWh.
growth of renewable energy by raising prices, a possibility
electricity, of which 50 MW will be from solar.
that could cost hundreds of solar jobs in the state. The Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association, a trade group, believes roughly 600 of the state’s estimated 4,000 solar jobs may be lost.
J
A
lsoEnergy Partners with Survey Digital for Sales, Installations, and Support in EMEA Region
inkoSolar Supplies 23 MW of Solar Modules to Jordanian Solar Park
For AlsoEnergy, the top selling independent monitoring
Capital,
an
American
project
developer
This is yet another achievement for the company, who completed the development of a project that was awarded a large chunk of the Chilean energy auction just 2 weeks ago. The VeCaSo-1 100 MW project is set to be completed in 2019 and will run on a 20-year “take-or-pay” power purchase agreement. Within this PPA framework, the
provider for commercial PV in North America, this
generator takes on the production risk, with its plant
partnership is an opportunity to extend international
expected to deliver power on a must-run basis. CAMMESA,
JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (“JinkoSolar” or the “Company”)
coverage for sales and support.
Argentina’s national utility company, on the other
(NYSE: JKS), a global leader in the solar PV industry, today
AlsoEnergy, a leading provider of monitoring and SCADA
hand, must integrate all of the plant’s output, or remit
announced that it has supplied 23MW of high-efficiency
systems for solar PV, is announcing a partnership with
compensatory energy payments if it fails to do so.
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 8
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 9
In Conversation “Our modules are one of the best options for developers to build sustainable green energy projects.”
MR. Ivan Saha Head -Solar Manufacturing & CTO, Vikram Solar
Besides providing modules, we offer comprehensive
Focusing on innovation, we have signed MOUs with
EPC services ranging from conceptualization, execution,
international tech leaders like teamtechnik, Finwind. In
commissioning and acquisition of developed sites.
addition, we believe that the alliance will help us reduce
We also offer O&M solutions providing preventive and corrective maintenance services for solar plants.
Tell us more about the latest innovations in your product and solution offerings for the Indian market Our latest innovative offering is SOMERA. This Mono-
Let’s begin with a glimpse of your company’s presence and offerings in India? In just a decade’s time, Vikram Solar has contributed to shaping the solar revolution, not only in India, but across continents. With presence across 5 continents today, the group is further expanding at a rapid scale. In India we have presence in West Bengal, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
crystalline module works with 1500V System voltage, has extremely Low Light-Induced Degradation, MC4 compatibility and features Passivated Emitter Rear Contact Technology (PERC) cells, offering highest efficiency up to 19.05% (for 60 cells) & up to 18.45% (for 72 cells). The new monocrystalline modules are conditioned to withstand 2400Pascal Wind load, 5400Pascal Snow load and Dynamic Wind load, which makes them the best option for all geographical locations. Standard tests have revealed that ‘SOMERA’ line can offer 10% higher energy generation output than that of any industry average polycrystalline modules.
As a fully forward- integrated Solar EPC contractor, we deploy world-class technology to design, install and commission benchmark solar projects worldwide. Our total EPC capacity portfolio exceeds 750 MW (commissioned + under execution) (Rooftop + Ground mounted) in India. With projects as unique as India’s first floating solar plant to benchmark projects like India’s largest rooftop airport solar plant, we have an impressive portfolio in a short span of 11 years. We offer solar PV modules within the range of 10 Wp to 350 Wp to our customers. In 2014, we introduced PERC technology-based modules. Our products are mostly highefficiency polycrystalline silicon PV modules.
What exciting opportunities do you see in the Indian and global markets? With awareness growing and more developing countries like- Africa, Philippines, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile etc investing in the renewable energy mix, we see huge potential for solar in the future within both national and global markets, forwarding solar revolution to new heights. With US president Mr. Donald Trump focusing on fossil fuel, it is best time for India to claim the demand gap left by US and become a largest solar contributor globally, thus
A few of our polycrystalline modules are-
increasing demand for domestic manufacturers like us.
72 cell
India’s leadership in ISA will help the country and its
� ELDORA Grand
domestic manufacturers to access virtually untapped solar
� ELDORA Grand Ultima Silver 60 cell � ELDORA Ultima Silver � ELDORA Ultima All Black
markets in 121 countries (members of ISA).
the learning curve and innovate new solutions to the world. Recently we have introduced a new line of mono-crystalline module ‘Somera’ that offers at least 10% more energy generation than industry average poly-crystalline modules. We have already invested more than INR 70 million in R&D. And for the next year, we will heavily focus on not just supporting the Indian and global solar growth but revolutionizing it through innovation.
Quality, Costs and Performance are key concern areas for Indian project developers. How would you like to address these issues for your offerings in India? Quality, performance, and customer centricity are the core ideals of our business. Moreover, since we understand the responsibility we bear as a leading solar manufacturing company we make sure to offer assurance within product and service offerings to our clients. Our modules have global certification standard: � ISO 9001:2008 for manufacture of solar photovoltaic modules and systems; EPC and O&M of plants � ISO
14001:2004
ensuring
globally
benchmarked
environmental management system � ISO 18001:2007 ensuring safe work environment � We are UL 1703 certified, MNRE certified and CEC listed (60 & 72 cell modules), JETPVm certified (Japan) and CAN/CSA certified (Canada) � We have IEC 61215, IEC 61730-2, IEC 61701 and IEC 62804 certifications � We also offer 27 years of linier performance warranty for 60 & 72 cell modules We also have in-house R&D facility that continuously developed test protocols to validate long-term reliability of the modules manufactured. Our products are further tested by world-class, accredited testing facilities, such as
Solar growth in India is also expected to grow and overtake
UL – PTL labs, TuV Rheinland and DNV-GL product test
EU within 2022. And we believe, this is a great new for
labs.
domestic manufacturers in India.
Our modules are one of the best options for developers to
In 2017, India overtook Japan and became the third top
build sustainable green energy projects. Our modules offer
solar market. Within the country, policy developments,
compromised quality and performance over imported
However, in 2017, we introduced a Mono-Crystalline
developing solar parks (approving Rs 8,100 crore for 50
modules.
module with higher energy generation capacity (at least
solar parks), new projects like- 20 GW capacity solar project
10% more than poly crystalline modules). It is named
planning, and India finally thinking about imposing anti-
‘SOMERA’.
dumping on imported solar modules will help domestic
� ELDORA Prime
manufacturers in supporting India solar dream.
Our latest innovative offering is SOMERA. This Monocrystalline module works with 1500V System voltage, has extremely Low Light-Induced Degradation, MC4 compatibility and features Passivated Emitter Rear Contact Technology (PERC) cells, offering
Please could you shed some light on your plans for India over the next 12 months. India reached from 5 GW in 2015 to ~16.6 GW in 2017. It shows incredible and consistent growth rate. To match the pace, and to one day become the largest contributor of Indian solar revolution, we made aggressive plans. Our plans revolve around expansion and innovation, as we believe that following these two components will help the industry to evolve and lead Indian solar revolution to desired heights. Vikram Solar has made elaborate plans to facilitate the growth. The company has expanded its solar manufacturing
highest efficiency up
capacity from 500 MW to 1 GW in 2017. We have addressed
to19.05% (for 60 cells) & up
more than 750 MW EPC projects in India (commissioned +
to 18.45% (for 72 cells).
under execution) (ground mounted + rooftop) and for the next year we will focus towards increasing our contribution level to many folds.
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What differentiates your company’s offerings from your peers? Our dedication to offer quality, performance, and innovative solutions separates us from our competitors and peers. We are India’s second largest module manufacturing capacity holder (500 MW to 1 GW in 2017). We utilize finest machinery and equipment imported from United States, Switzerland, Germany and Japan in our manufacturing factories to uphold the quality and performance promise that comes with products and services of Vikram Solar. Our proven capacity to handle utility scale projects (e.g:130 MW, 80 MW, 50 MW), rooftop projects (over 190 projects commissioned), innovative projects (India’s first floating solar), our portfolio of conservative clients, and airport installations (Calicut, Kolkata, Kochi) testifies our capability and uniqueness in the sector. Recently we have introduced a new line of mono-crystalline module that lower LCOE compared to poly-crystalline modules. It is fair to state that we are one of a kind solar module manufacturers and our offerings and achievements separate us from our competitors.
Solar Quarter • January 2018 10
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 11
In Conversation “We are providing O&M service for more than 35 PV plants across 9 states for more than 600MWp total capacity.” What have been some of the recent developments at your organisation?
the
MR. Ashok D M
Avi Solar strengthened its management team with
avoid generation loss. Skilled manpower to quickly
Chairman & Managing Director,
passionate and successful professionals in their domain.
restore the breakdowns. Planning and Tracking of
Avi Solar Energy Pvt Ltd.
2017 with 26+ years experience. Building robust internal
Let’s begin with a glimpse of your company’s presence and offerings in India?
Mr. Nithin B has joined as CFO and Director in April process to meet the market demand.
Solar Energy in India is on the surge and soon will become a trending industry. What is your outlook on Indian O&M Sector for the next 5 years? Solar Power plants generates energy for 25 years, hence professional O&M service is a key to get maximum energy
frequent
breakdown
points
and
maintaining
the sufficient spares. Local and Remote Monitoring infrastructure to quickly identify the breakdown and
all preventive maintenance activities to reduce the downtime and increase the plant life.
What are your growth plans for the Indian market? What are the milestones you wish to achieve by the end of this fiscal? We are expecting PV plant O&M service to go up from current 600+ MWp to 1000+MWp by end of March
Avi Solar founded in 2010. Offers O&M and EPC services,
from Solar PV plants for it’s entire lifetime. As per MNRE
2018 and may cross 2000MW by end of Dec 2018. We
and Remote monitoring products.
target Solar Power plants capacity expected to cross
are building strong the leadership team to handle this
Avi Solar is rated as No.1 O&M Service provider in the
100GW in next 5 years, Demand for professional O&M
massive market demand. We are also strengthening our
service provider will go up at the same time cost pressure
SCADA and Remote monitoring solution with advance
utility-scale segment in India by GTM Research and SOLICHAMBA. We are providing O&M service for more than 35 PV plants across 9 states for more than 600MWp total capacity.
also be challenging. O&M service provider needs to be innovate in optimizing the cost, reducing the manpower by automation of labour intensive tasks, provide value added services to assess and reduce breakdown when
Avi Solar also has indigenously developed innovative wireless products and solutions for Solar Power plant
plants gets older.
Avi Solar EPC team has successfully commissioned 6 PV
What can be done to increase performance of the project while improving the life of the project?
plants of cumulative size of 18+MW and more than 2MWp
Design and Build PV plant for 25 years life, selection of
Rooftops.
each component with long life is important. Identifying
Remote Monitoring, Asset Management and Solar Analytics.
feature to accurately predict the generation and reduce the plant downtime.
Anything else you would like to add for our readers. Indian market is very cost sensitive, in this process let us not compromise on the quality of plant and machinery, which should be a performing asset of the Country for future generation.
At Sova Solar, we are always passionate about bringing the best to our customers
MR. Krishnendu Mukherjee COO, Sova Solar Ltd.
competitive price to give them the edge in the market.
give major advantages of scale. Moreover, the bouyancy
We are grateful to all of our customers for their support
seen in the Chinese markets bodes well for the Indian
through the years which have helped us grow rapidly in the
industry, as China gets busy in domestic market, India gets
last few years. Now we are present in all the major markets
the opportunity to explore new horizons such as Africa and
in India and we are getting patronage from customers from
Latin America.
Kashmir in the north to Thiruvananthapuram in the south
What excites me most is that now the Govt is envisioning
and from Gujrat in the west to Nagaland in the east. We are having our offices and warehouses in seven points all over India for catering to the local demands.
Sova Solar are a global leader in the solar industry. Could you please tell us about your current business presence in India?.
Tell us more about the latest innovations in your product and solution offerings for the Indian market. At SOVA SOLAR, we are always passionate about bringing the best to our customers. For this we have tied up with
Thanks very much for your appreciation. SOVA SOLAR
IIT-Kgp for technical support and our R&D team is carrying
has been and is continuously striving towards excellence,
out extensive tests to increase the yield. We have achieved
to bring to our customers best in class products at a
ZERO conversion losses at commercial scale production level. We are bringing to the market Mono-PERC and HJT
We are in collaboration with our technology collaborators on various issues to ensure that SOVA SOLAR remains in the fore front to serve our esteemed customers with the best in class products.
Modules. We have also developed a portfolio for coloured modules for BIPV applications.
What exciting opportunities do you see in the Indian and global markets? India has always been the land of opportunities, and with the pro active support of the Govt. we now stand at the doorsteps of a golden future. The structural changes along with the pro renewable policy of the Govt has opened several doors for the Indian manufacturers. And as the GST operations get smoothed out the competitiveness of the Indian Industry will rise and we will be at par with Global competitors. Also the capacity expansion of the players will
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
power-plants of capacities of multiples of tens of GIGA WATT, and vertically integrated companies in INDIA. I believe that we Indians have the capability make the best utilisation of this opportunity and shine.
Please could you shed some light on your plans for India over the next 12 months. SOVA SOLAR has been in the growth mode since inception and today it is the opportune time to accelerate on the growth trajectory and we are also gearing up for the same. As of now some major developments are under the wraps and we hope to unveil them in short while.
What have been some of the technology new trends in the module industry and how have you geared up for the same? The Solar Industry is a rapidly developing field and obviously we have ensured that our investments are safe in terms of technology, and utility. Like 5 BB has come to the market and now some new exciting technologies coming us like HJT cells, wire mesh type cells etc which have the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing of Solar Modules. We are in collaboration with our technology collaborators on various issues to ensure that SOVA SOLAR remains in the fore front to serve our esteemed customers with the best in class products.
Solar Quarter • January 2018 12
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 13
In Conversation AMPL Cleantech, group’s renewable energy arm has been performing consistently and became one of the most prominent players over the last decade. We deploy products and equipments and technology of the highest standards which are certified by International
Company has
Agencies and works with ISO certified EPC contractors to build the projects and deliver quality and value for its Mr. Brijesh Gupta CEO, AMPL Cleantech Pvt. Ltd
already established
customers.
its presence in the
What has been company’s growth strategy in the past?
ground mounted Utility Scale plants
As a part of the company’s growth vision, ‘to make renewable energy the leading contributor to the energy system and
and now would
thereby offering an environment friendly sustainable zero emission power supply through operational and
Can you explain us about AMPL’s business model in India? AMPL Cleantech is the corporate venturing subsidiary of Atha Group, India’s leading integrated mining and renewable company based out of Kolkata. Atha Group has over 60 years of experience in the Mining Industry. It is a diversified business house with interest in Iron Ore, Power, Sponge iron, Calcined Petroleum coke and Renewable Energy. AMPL Cleantech, group’s renewable energy arm has been performing consistently and became one of the most prominent players over the last decade.
organization talent.
solar segment and
Can you explain us about the company’s future growth plans, and strategy going forward? and another 200 MW of solar power projects are in pipeline which are expected to be commission by the end of 2019. And we are aiming to achieve a target of 1000 MW by 2020. This is completely in sync with our Governments ‘India 2022 renewable energy portfolio represents its integrated element for growth, industrial innovation, leadership and competitiveness as well as for reducing emissions. We
stiff bidding process
lower energy costs and revenues for government and local
Power utilities who
aim to generate more jobs, investments, infrastructure, communities in the coming years. We would continue to focus primarily on diversification, vertical and horizontal integration, organic growth and
are also our major
M&As. AMPL would continue to create robust solar and
buyers of electricity,
that will be a key contributor towards our sustainability.
wind energy assets with the state of the art technology
we follow the best in
Company has already established its presence in the
class technology to
in to fast growing rooftop solar segment and grid level
provide high quality output.
ground mounted Utility Scale plants and now would enter energy storage solutions. We also believe that the future growth for the segment would come from a mix of Government and Private Tenders apart from the M&A route. We will follow a similar strategy for growth in our foreign operations such as South Africa,
Explain AMPL’s presence in India and the Technology that the company currently puts in use The company has 9 operating solar power plants and wind power farms with capacity of 200 MW spread across Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Today we have one of the best technologies adapted across segments in order to cater to the best needs of our customers. As we win projects largely through a stiff bidding process of Central and State Power utilities who are also our major buyers of electricity, we follow the best in class technology to provide high quality output. NTPC Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Limited (NVVN) & Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) are our major customers with an off take of more than 50% of the energy produced. The rest of the power has been bought by state utilities of MP, Telangana and Karnataka. We have already bagged tender from the TN State power utility to buy 200 MW of power. It is one of our largest projects in the country and expected to be completed by end of 2019.
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
grid level energy storage solutions.
AMPL has already built a solar asset base of over 200 MW
largely through a of Central and State
growing rooftop
country’ AMPL has been focusing more towards building
strategic growth plans’. For us the expansion of company’s
As we win projects
enter in to fast
managerial excellence and passion for people in this
Namibia, other parts of Asia Africa, Malaysia, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka.
About AMPL AMPL Cleantech is the corporate venturing subsidiary of Atha Group, India’s leading integrated mining and renewable company. AMPL Cleantech is into renewable energy and independent power producer; a developer of utility-scale ground-mounted solar and wind farms, with a successful track record of over 200 MW of solar and wind power projects. It envisages to contribute to increasing available energy supplies and proven technologies by investing in clean energy generation projects. Solar energy is increasingly competitive and accounts for a growing share of our energy portfolio. AMPL Cleantech, is targeting to add 200 – 300 MW to its solar portfolio in the current Financial Year and also looking forward to enter into rooftop solar solutions. India represents a strategic market for us due to its high levels of solar radiation, its electrical base load and consumption, its level of development and relative economic and investment stability within the region.
Profile of Brijesh Gupta Brijesh Gupta is the CEO of AMPL Cleantech, a corporate venturing subsidiary of Atha Group. It is India’s leading, integrated mining and renewable energy company based out of Kolkata with projects spanning across the country. Brijesh is currently responsible for the company’s business operations, performance and transformation of businesses across segments through organic and inorganic means.
We deploy products
Brijesh has a work experience of over 25 years and a commendable track record of strategizing managing
and equipments and
and execution of business plans for some of the top
technology of the
companies such as Lloyds Group, Raymond, ESSAR, Ispat
highest standards which are certified by International
corporate houses in the country. In the past he worked with and Adani Group. He has diverse experience in handling multiple sectors for corporates in India. At Adani he was heading the P&L of the private sector coal trading business and Essar he was handling various roles, major being laying foundation for International foray
Agencies and works
in steel and mining sector as a Senior Vice President. He
with ISO certified EPC
raw material business plan and developing strategy
contractors to build the projects and deliver quality and value for its customers.
was also responsible for securitisation of the steel business for acquisitions and Joint ventures, due diligence and feasibility studies. Brijesh had played a larger role in Essar for the development of mining assets for allotted captive blocks in India and Middle East. Brijesh is widely recognized for his management skills, organization building and performance oriented directives in the Industry.
Solar Quarter • January 2018 14
The Solar Revolution is on the The Solar fast track. The Solar
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1800 2121 2121 321 321 1800 Solar Quarter • January 2018 15
In Conversation “We are looking to play a key role in development of the sector, by providing longer tenor debt to operational projects” So, on one hand, we have to deal with extremely low tariffs
Worldwide, there
for new bids which have built in the positives in the bid
is a conscious shift
price while ignoring the negatives. And many of those negatives are coming true – module prices are at above 35 Mr. Anirban Das
cents whereas 25 cents was assumed, no clarity on GST etc.
Associate Vice President,
Customs duty on imported modules and Anti-dumping
Kotak Infrastructure Debt Fund
from fossil fuels to renewables, and
duty are also on their way, let’s hope those are applicable
India will not be
on a prospective basis only.
any different. There
On the other side, these low bids are also making developers of earlier projects jittery about the possibility
will be temporary
of tariff renegotiation.
Please brief us about Kotak Infrastructure Debt Fund’s operation in Renewable Energy Sector?
In the last two years what kind of different projects has your company invested in?
Kotak Infrastructure Debt Fund (“KIDF”) is the newest entity
span of time, we have invested in renewable projects across
in Kotak Mahindra Group, representing the group’s focussed
states, programs and timelines. We have exposure to wind
entry into long term funding for the infrastructure sector,
and solar projects operational for more than 5-6 years as
and renewables is a core focus area for KIDF, forming 30%-
well as around 1-2 years. We have invested in renewable
40% of the current asset book. We are working as long
projects in a tariff range of Rs. 3.56 – Rs. 10.
term partners with quality sponsors who have a proven project track record.
turbulences, but the sector will remain a long-term attractive
We are only a year old company. However, within this short
bet at macro level. However, for a technology intensive sector like solar, it is more relevant to look into the module quality since we are talking about a timeframe of around 15-20 years here.
We have exposure to counterparties like NTPC Vidyut
This assumes even higher importance with the low tariffs
Vyapar Nigam Ltd. (NVVN), Solar Energy Corporation of
– conducting detailed due diligence is critical. Just seeing
KIDF has a lean and well-knit team where each team
India (SECI) as well as state DISCOMS of Gujarat, Telangana
the module manufacturer name in Tier I list may not be
member has significant experience in the infrastructure
etc. This is a constantly evolving sector and the only way
enough anymore, It is time to expand scope of lenders’
sectors, particularly renewables and roads. This has enabled
to stay relevant is to stay abreast with happenings in the
engineer assignments - bills of material for cells sourcing,
us to quickly devise a well-defined strategy towards the
sector on a day to day basis. We are an India-centric,
specifications of back sheet, tests for long term degradation
renewables sector and leverage relationships to implement
knowledge driven institution and we keep upgrading
etc. We also need to build in replacements needed during
the same.
our intellectual capital that enables us to take informed
the project life, especially for inverters. Then there is the
We are looking to play a key role in development of the
investment decisions.
question of financial health of module manufacturers,
sector, by providing longer tenor debt to operational
can we stipulate bankruptcy insurance to cover for such
developers getting longer tenor funds at competitive rates
What are investors looking for while investing in solar projects?
while the lender is protected from construction risk, and
One thing is clear – renewable energy is going to provide
banks’ books are freed up of Asset-Liability Management
bulk of the capacity addition going forward. And this is
The other key risk falls under the broad category of
(ALM) issues.
true not only for India, we are following a well-established
counterparty risk - which are the DISCOMs on whom long
In addition, KIDF brings with it the benefits of the full range
global trend. So, in spite of all the concerns, there will be
term calls can be taken? What are the tariff levels with
of financial services provided by Kotak. We are in an ideal
investments in solar.
which we are comfortable? What is a reasonable amount of
position to provide developers a one stop solution to most
We are currently still in a phase where solar / wind plays
requirements – ranging from long term debt to structured
a role of complementing thermal capacity as base load,
funding to capital market solutions (both debt and equity).
but a shift to a regime where renewables actually replaces
projects. It serves as a win-win situation for all parties –
What are the risks involved in raising the capital for renewable energy projects?
thermal energy is not really far-fetched any more. The government is doing its bit by actively promoting the
situations? There could be some resistance as it adds to the module price, but in the long run, developers will also benefit.
sponsor skin in the game? etc. Every lender would generally have a comfort level defined for each of these parameters. The levels will defer across institutions depending on risk appetite, as well as for the same institution over time as part of constant recalibration on basis of market feedback.
sector - the 100 GW target may not be achieved by 2022,
One last key risk factor, and it deserves a separate mention,
but it certainly acts as a strong signal of intent. Investors
is evacuation risk. Renewable energy, especially wind,
Renewables is a capital intensive sector, with almost annuity
will always be interested in clean energy in a country where
poses significant challenges to the grid due to its inherent
type returns spread over a long tenor (25 years or more). Such
such clear intent is present.
variable nature. This might not have been that important till
long tenors come bundled with associated uncertainties to
And if we look at the recent guidelines for future solar
the annuity type cash flows – be it the regulatory framework,
as well as wind auctions, there are significant steps that
interest rates, exchange rates or the technology itself.
have been taken towards addressing the single most
Technology improvement coupled with demand supply
important risk factor, i.e. counterparty risk. National
dynamics driven by Chinese manufacturers has been a
Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) / SECI is brought
particularly important factor for solar energy. From 2011
in as counterparty (or state government guarantees
onwards – which is roughly when grid scale solar projects
are provided for state DISCOM PPAs), provisions for
Anything else you would like to add?
began in the country - tariffs have dropped from Rs. 17 to
termination payment and deemed generation brought
I would go back to the old concept – infrastructure has to
Rs. 2.44 today. It’s a structural change, solar moving from
in. We are also talking about load shedding being
take lead for a country to grow. Augmentation of power
the realm of CSR to actually becoming the mainstay of all
penalised - proper implementation of this shall correct
generation capacity is critical and renewables would form
future power generation capacity addition.
the artificial reduction in power deficit.
bulk of the incremental addition. Government measures have
However, there is a flip side to this welcome development.
As an investor, I would be positive about the macros and
Almost every new auction results in a new record low
the intent.
tariff, it also raises a question mark about procurers
a year ago as renewables formed a very small proportion of the power mix, but steady augmentation of evacuation capabilities would be of critical importance for sustainable growth of the sector. As a lender, looking at the evacuation system and associated approvals will be a key requirement.
been largely positive. Steps have been announced to plug some of the key loopholes such as termination payments, deemed generation, curtailing load shedding, etc. At the same time, regulators need to be careful about
available to DISCOMS that would make life difficult for
What are the key Risks faced by lenders while funding Solar Projects and which mitigation strategies can be used
developers. Contract enforcement, as it is, is not a strong
All risk factors that are applicable for equity investors are
Worldwide, there is a conscious shift from fossil fuels to
point for India as a country. And these PPAs are quite weak
equally applicable for lenders, since we are funding over
renewables, and India will not be any different. There will
in terms of safeguards provided to developers in the event
75% of the project cost. Construction timelines and land
be temporary turbulences, but the sector will remain a
of procurer default.
acquisition plays a part, as in any infrastructure project.
long-term attractive bet at macro level.
honouring earlier higher tariff contracts. And I am not even talking about Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) being renegotiated. There are enough mechanisms outside PPA
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
measures like anti-dumping duty. We need to maintain a fine balance - the Make in India initiative cannot come at the cost of jeopardising growth of the sector itself.
Solar Quarter • January 2018 16
In Conversation Sprng Energy is a renewable energy platform set-up in early 2017 with an objective of build 2GW+ renewable energy assets
Mr. Gaurav Sood CEO, SPRNG
As a developer, what key challenges do you face today?
All these create high uncertainties for developers in execution
The solar industry is facing some serious headwinds:
Which states do you believe lead see maximum solar energy investments this year?
1. There is a wrong classification of modules under HS Code – Most of the port authorities currently are considering the panels being imported under ‘8501’ instead of earlier classification ‘8541’, resulting in custom authorities to ask for a BG/ Provisional Duty (PD) Bond to tune of 7.5% of the import value. 2. Further, there is an ongoing anti-dumping investigation initiated by DGAD to evaluate whether dumping
Let’s start with the recent developments at your SPRNG Energy in last one year.
is happening for cells and modules from specific countries. One of the challenges the industry faces is that the domestic manufacturing industry is not equipped to deliver good quality solar cells to tune of
Sprng Energy is a renewable energy platform set-up in
more than 1GW whereas the government targets to
early 2017 with an objective of build 2GW+ renewable
install at least 10 GW of solar capacity every year for
energy assets to deliver competitive solar and wind energy.
next couple of years to meet the committed target of
In our first year of operation, we have won two prestigious
100 GW of solar by 2022. This has resulted in paradox,
projects –
as, any dumping duty if levied, would translate in
1. 250MW Rewa Solar Project at levelized tariff of INR 3.3/
higher cost of electricity for end user and also it would
kWh. The project achieved financial closure (lead by IFC and L&T Finance) and is under construction with L&T Limited providing EPC services. 2. 197.5MW Gujarat Wind project at flat tariff of INR 2.43/ kWh for which PPA was signed in January and project execution would start this year with commissioning due by June 2019.
become challenging to install the required capacities in line with expectations of government. 3. In first week of January, Directorate General of Safeguards recommended an imposition of provisional safeguard duty at rate of 70% ad valorem for imports of “Solar Cells whether or not assembled in modules or panels” from China and Malaysia.
of existing projects and for bidding of future projects.
This year Rajasthan, MP, Karnataka, AP and Gujarat should be the leading states for solar investments.
As the assets become older, will aggressive bidding today become a pain point for the industry a few years down the line? Solar power assets have all along been allocated through transparent competitive bidding route. The tariffs over the years have come down on account of lower capital costs, operating costs, financing costs and technical advancements in terms of higher efficiency modules, bigger inverters, trackers, robotic cleaning, 1500V system etc. So, there cannot be a comparison between currently prevailing tariffs and tariffs of earlier PPA’s. Hence don’t see this becoming an issue in future.
At what price do you see solar tariffs stabilising in future tenders? Currently there are lot of uncertainties in the solar industry. In case these don’t play out, tariffs should generally be around INR 3/kWh, with states having higher irradiation and lower land costs seeing lower tariffs and vice-versa.
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 17
Industry Perspective
E
With Recent Advancements In Energy Storage Technology, How Will Indian Solar Sector Shape Up? nergy storage systems play a vital role to enhance capacity firming and smoothing the variable &
intermittent power output from solar plants.
ESS also
support in energy time shift, peak shaving and power quality applications. The need for Energy Storage is thus indispensable in lieu of growing share of solar power in India’s energy basket.
Though, solar has already reached grid parity in India with tariff going as low as INR
With the year on year declining price trend of solar and energy storage technologies, the time is not very far when
2.44/kWh which has been a
not only commercial and industrial customers but also residential customers would become prosumers where
result of Government’s push
they will produce and consume the electricity in-house and this will be possible with the hybrid solution of solar and
for renewable energy; energy
storage. Though, solar has already reached grid parity in India with tariff going as low as INR 2.44/kWh which has been a result of Government’s push for renewable energy; energy
storage is not very far behind from reaching the grid parity
storage is not very far behind from reaching the grid
in the years to come.
parity in the years to come as the prices of energy storage technologies specially preferred Lithium-Ion batteries are going to see further downward trend due to push from the electric vehicle, grid scale storage projects and huge investment in the technology not only in India but across the globe as well.
W
Another market which will grow in the near future will be
Mr. Anant Nahata Managing Director, Exicom Power Solutions
second life of the battery where the batteries (after few modifications) from the electric vehicles after their life can be used for the solar applications which will further reduce the solution cost of solar plus storage.
e are at the very early stages of a Energy storage
deployed , in case of the residential segment it has been
revolution. It is pretty early days for us to ponder
mainly behind the meter applications , to increase reliability
over the effect of increased energy storage in the Grid and
and mainly for backup applications. For C&I customers, the
impact on the growth of Solar Installed capacity in India.
application has been mainly to reduce demand charges.
If we were to look at other markets, like the US which
So if you see, the initial spurt in demand for storage is
installed 700 MWH of batter storage in CY 2017, most of
happening independent of solar capacity in advanced
it has gone into two markets. Largest offtake has been in
markets. Grid applications are just beginning to take off.
the Commercial and Industrial Segment with the residential
It is important to realize that Energy storage offers some
segment coming a close second.
Grid applications have
services to the Grid . it could be frequency management,
been far and few between, and utilities are just looking at
RE firming / smoothing, T&D investment deferral, time
storage deployments. Utilities in California and New York
shifting etc., In mature power markets these services
have just come out with some interesting schemes to
are priced in the electricity markets, which in turn create
incentivize storage deployment and we expect this to lead
viable use-cases for storage deployment. In the absence
the initiallarge scale deployments next year. If one were
of Power market maturity in India, I do not see private
to look at the applications where this 700 MWH has been
deployment of storage taking off in a big way for now. The initial demand and deployment will be Utility owned as we can see in the first lot of tenders have been issued by
Regulators play a key role here. Given the current cost structure of storage, it competes well with Diesel based power and so in offgrid applications and in island grids it does make immediate
NTPC, NLC and other PSUs. While acknowledging the role of storage in firming up intermittent Renewable power ,at this point of time , it is difficult to come up with business cases for solar storage hybrids to leverage the synergies that such a combination will bring to the Grid. Also the regulators would need to warm up to the potential that Storage offers to the Grid and put in place enabling market and legislation gets tempted to choose winners. It is essential that we drive growth of these new technologies in a technological agnostic manner, and purely by market
forecasting and scheduling
mechanisms. Regulators play a key role here. Given the
their current level, there might emerge a few cases for deployment.
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
In mature power markets
mechanisms that can price Grid services. Too often policy
sense. If the penalties for for solar plants go up from
Mr. P. Vinay Kumar Chief Operating Officer, Greenko Group
these services are priced in the electricity markets,
current cost structure of storage, it competes well with Diesel based power and so in offgrid applications and in
which in turn create viable
island grids it does make immediate sense. If the penalties for forecasting and scheduling for solar plants go up from their current level, there might emerge a few cases for deployment.
use-cases for storage deployment.
Solar Quarter • January 2018 18
The Solar Revolution is on the fast track.
n Technology first time in India. ®
Exceptional performance under thermal stress
in low light
Glass and polymer with anti-reflective coating
ely light
OP NS
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
MODULE MOUNTING STRUCTURES
INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCER
waaree@waaree.com | w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
SOLAR WATER PUMP
SOLAR THERMAL
SOLAR PRODUCTS
1800 2121 321 Solar Quarter • December 2017 15 Solar Quarter • January 2018 19
Industry Perspective
With Recent Advancements In Energy Storage Technology, How Will Indian Solar Sector Shape Up?
S
torage is meant to bring stability to an infirm
border posts, islands, micro-grids, resorts. The last mile
life. However, it is bound to make infirm RE more
infra in Indian grid will continue to have reliability issues,
exciting and moreso solar, considering that it has both the
especially in Tier 3 towns and this is where energy storage,
distributed and large (as other RE) versions. In my view, the
sold as part of solar kits, will grow as DIY systems or
impact on residential solar and open access projects would
through local distributors.
be the most exciting.
Large solar will include Discom sale and private sale
Distributed solar on unreliable grids or off grids will both
projects. Sale – to – Discom projects will benefit from a
flourish with storage prices coming down. On-grid versions
reliable grid that will be supported by energy storage,
will include residential solar and small commercial sectors,
either as frequency regulation support or if the grid
for example- telecom towers, petrol pumps, toll plazas,
operator decides to add energy for storage and hence
highway restaurants and off-grids versions will include
absorb energy and consequently expand the ulitization of grid infrastructure. The impact on open access projects, in comparison, will be very different. Open access projects
Large solar will include
bank on “banking”. Banking regulations allow these projects to store their generation into the grid bank, from which
Discom sale and private
their customer can withdraw energy as and when required.
sale projects. Sale – to –
The bank’s passbook is the customer’s monthly electricity
Discom projects will benefit
bill which reflects the deposit and withdrawal from the grid bank. Unfortunately, the grid owner (Transco) is a not-so-
from a reliable grid that
distant-cousin of the Discom and Discoms are not really
will be supported by energy
fond of open access projects for the simple reason that
storage, either as frequency regulation support or if the grid operator decides to add energy for storage and hence absorb energy and consequently expand the ulitization of grid
these projects take away their creditworthy commercial
Mr. Guru Inder Mohan Singh Director and COO, Amplus Solar
& industrial consumers. And therefore, the banking regulations may change or even vanish. And because
As should be obvious from the above, energy
open access projects have been or will be setup under
storage is a toll of free markets, bringing
policies that provide 10 to 15year certainty on banking,
power to consumer, away from regulations.
they would be left with 10 to 15year project life but no banking facility. It is at this point, that energy storage will move in and create a new business model, where on-call and dispatchable power will be available for sale.
infrastructure.
I
n the distributed solar market, the adoption of
One major hurdle in adoption of solar with storage is
energy storage will be driven by microgrids for rural
the upfront CAPEX associated with the batteries and
electrification, diesel replacement for cost savings and
incremental costs of hybrid inverters over grid-tied
need for environment friendly power generation. State
inverters. To tackle this problem, service providers will have
governments should also promote behind-the-meter
to provide OPEX or a combination of CAPEX and OPEX
energy storage to reduce peak demands, smoothen
model to the customers, and companies having strong
out the variability and bring stability to the grid. From
financing abilities will do well in this segment. Service and
the supply side, the adoption is getting accelerated by
maintenance requirements would also go up with storage
technological advancements such as increasing efficiency
and customers should choose EPC companies with strong
and cycle-life of both Lead-Acid and Lithium-Ion batteries,
servicing ability to alleviate this concern.
globally reducing costs of Lithium-Ion batteries (73% reduction from 2010 to 2016), and innovations in battery management systems. Looking at the cost economics for diesel replacement, the cost of energy provided by solar plus storage is close to INR 14 per kWh with typical VRLA Gel batteries. Compared to the unit cost of diesel power generation, which range between INR 19 to 21 per kWh, the solar system with storage offers a compelling saving of INR 5-7 per kWh. The total cost of ownership still favours VRLA Gel batteries over Lithium-Ion batteries; however, that will change in next couple of years as the prices of Lithium-Ion batteries reduce further. Even today, applications where faster discharge rates are required and space availability is a constraint, Lithium-Ion batteries have an advantage over Lead-Acid batteries.
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
From the supply side, the adoption is getting accelerated by technological advancements such as increasing efficiency and cycle-life of both Lead-Acid and Lithium-Ion batteries, globally reducing costs of Lithium-Ion batteries.
Mr. Vinayak Kathare Senior Manager, New Initiatives Fourth Partner Energy
Solar Quarter • January 2018 20
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Industry Insights AC-Coupled Systems
Figure 3: AC-coupled solar+storage system
AC-coupled solar+storage systems, shown in Figure 3, are
Critical loads are now energized through a combination of
ideal for existing solar installations. This is because the
solar generated power and stored energy flowing through
existing connection from solar array to grid-tied inverter will
the two inverters.
not need to be rewired.
When power is restored to the grid, the battery-based
However, some grid-tied inverters are more sensitive to
inverter transfer switch is again triggered, reconnecting the
changes in AC supply than others, so it is important to
system to the central grid.
research existing inverter specifications prior to adding
The battery-based inverter is equipped with a charge
storage onto a solar system. Some inverter manufacturers do not support the use of their equipment in AC-coupled storage installations.
controller to prevent battery overcharging. However, in situations where there is a low load and fully charged battery, islanded AC-coupled systems must be designed to
In an AC-coupled system, the grid-tied solar inverter
control the output power flowing from the grid-tied inverter.
essentially replaces the charge controller in a DC-coupled
The most common control methods are to knock the grid-
system. Both the grid-tied inverter and battery-based
tied inverter offline, use a diversion load to soak up excess
for new solar+storage installations.
inverter are connected directly to a critical load subpanel.
power, or curtail inverter output by direct control signals.
AC-coupled systems are generally more scalable and more
The subpanel acts as the point where the two inverters can
Using a blackout relay to knock the grid-tied inverter off-
easily expandable than DC-coupled systems, and AC-
couple and share energy to meet a facility’s electricity needs.
line is the cheaper and less complicated approach and is
cases when AC-coupled systems are more desirable even
coupling makes it a fairly simple process to incorporate additional AC backup generators. Incorporating energy
Under normal conditions, when the grid is available, energy
sufficient for most solar+storage applications. Once the
from the solar array flows through the grid-tied inverter,
battery is drained enough to accept further charging, the
which converts solar DC power to AC, and on to the critical
grid-tied inverter is brought back online. Systems with solar
load subpanel. Any additional energy not used to power
generation capabilities much larger than available battery
these critical loads moves on through the battery-based
capacity may want to consider using a diversion load. A
inverter to power loads connected to the main circuit breaker
diversion load is simply an additional load that can perform
DC systems.
panel or is converted back to DC to charge the battery bank
useful work by utilizing excess solar energy. Devices such as
Another potential benefit is that the battery-based inverter
when needed. Excess energy is once again exported to the
water heaters and space heaters are commonly employed
and the solar PV system’s grid-tied inverter act independently
central grid.
as diversion loads.
in AC-coupled systems, so that maintenance or trouble-
In the event of a grid outage, the battery-based inverter
Because solar energy in an AC-coupled system must
shooting on one of the systems doesn’t necessarily require
automatically disconnects the system from the grid and
undergo two conversions, DC to AC through the grid-tied
shut down of the other system.
keeps the grid-tied inverter online by using energy drawn
inverter and AC back to DC through the battery-based
In general, DC-coupled systems are the first choice for new
from the battery as a power source. The grid-tied inverter
inverter, before being stored in the battery bank, AC-
installations, as they tend to be less complex and more
doesn’t distinguish whether it is being powered by the grid
coupled systems typically have lower overall efficiencies
efficient. AC-coupled systems are the lower-cost approach
or the battery and thus continues to operate as normal.
than DC-coupled systems. However, there are still some
for retrofits with existing solar systems in place.
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
storage on the AC side of the system may also be preferred to avoid transmission losses when there is a long distance between the solar array and battery bank, though higher voltage charge controllers have improved performance in
Solar Quarter • January 2018 21
India’s 40 Most Promising Young Business Leaders In The Solar Industry T op
Akshay Mittal & Abhay Mittal Directors Bluebird Solar Private Limited
Kuldeep Jain Managing Director Cleanmax Solar
Raghunath VC Director SWELECT Energy Systems Ltd
E ntrepreneur
Ashok DM Managing Director & Chairman Avi Solar Energy Pvt Ltd
Amit Bansal Director Vivaan Solar
Manan Thakkar Director Prozeal Infra Engineering Private Limited
Saurabh Bhandari Founder SolarMaxx
Sachin Jain Co-Founder & CEO Oriano Solar
T op
Gaurav Sood CEO SPRNG Energy Pvt Ltd
Munjal Rangwala CEO Harsha Abakus Solar
Kapil Maheshwari CEO Hinduja Renewables Pvt Ltd
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
Chintan P Shah Director Sunelec
Dev Arora Founder- CEO 8minutes
Pinaki Bhattacharyya CEO & Co-Founder AMP Solar India
Saurabh Jakhotia Director Spark Solar
Prashant Kothari Director Cleantech Solar
Shailesh Vaidya Co Founder, CEO Scorpius Trackers Private Limited
Shekhar Singal Managing Director, EAPL Eastman Auto & Power Limited
executives
Ashok Nehra CEO Enfrosun Power Pvt Ltd
Guru Inder Mohan Singh Director & COO Amplus Solar
Naveen Khandelwal Chief Investment & Strategy Officer Hero Future Energies
Solar Quarter • January 2018 22
India’s 40 Most Promising Young Business Leaders In The Solar Industry T op
Gagan Vermani Founder & CEO MYSUN
Punit Goyal Managing Director and CEO PLG
Shobit Rai Managing Director Prozeal Infra Engineering Pvt Ltd
E ntrepreneur
Gajanan Yadav Managing Director Vedanjay Power Pvt ltd
Gyanesh Chaudhary Kumar Managing Director & CEO Vikram Solar Limited
rahul dasari Co-Founder & Director Sunshot Technologies
Anshumaan Bhatnagar Co-Founder & Director Sunshot Technologies
Simarpreet Singh Director Strategy Hartek Group
Sishir Garemella Founder/CEO Sunvest Energy Private Limited
T op
Anirban Das Associate Vice President Kotak Infrastructure Debt Fund
Hemant Tikkoo Executive Committee Member Orange Renewable
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
Hitaksh Sachar Director Asun Solar Power Private Limited
Karan Dangayach Managing Director Shashwat Cleantech Pvt. Ltd.
Rahul Goswami Founder and Managing Director Greenstone Energy Advisors
Indrajeet Dudile Co-Founder & Director Sunshot Technologies
Uday Doshi CEO / Founder Excelsior Engineering Solutions
Vikram Dileepan CEO SolarTown
Vineet Mittal Director Navitas Solar
executives
C Chaudhary Head Solar Ostro Energy Pvt. Ltd
Hiten Girish Parekh Head - Everest Solar Everest Industries Limited
Manish Singhal Head - International Business Mahindra Susten
Solar Quarter • January 2018 23
Industry Insights Everything you need to know about commercial solar battery storage It’s not hard to see why the
offset the costs of their
talk and excitement around
energy usage, so demand
commercial
battery
tends to predictably rise
storage just keeps growing
and then fall over the
with each passing month.
course of a day.
As the price of batteries
Look familiar? If you’re a
solar
continues to fall—and their performance to
rise—more
continues and
more
companies are taking a closer look at how battery storage can dramatically lower their monthly energy bills, especially when combined with a commercial solar panel system.
The batteries behind solar storage First, let’s talk about the batteries typically used in commercial solar energy storage. Besides their size and the software used to manage them, the batteries you’d use to deliver power to your business are very similar to the ones you’d find in a cell phone, cordless drill or electric car.
typical business, it should. Now, let’s see what happens when we add solar power to the picture, where energy from the sun can be used to significantly reduce the number of kilowatt-hours needed at certain times of the day. That load profile might look something like this: As you can see in the orange area in the graphic above, the energy produced by solar is greatest between
Just like in those devices, most of the battery storage
around
systems in large-scale commercial settings use lithium-
every day (i.e., when the
ion chemistry, and are about the size of a refrigerator
sun is shining), dramatically
(or several refrigerators, depending on how much power
reducing
you need). And just like their little brothers, these battery
needed during that period.
storage systems get charged up (in this case, from energy
But what about the time
and utility savings achieved by reducing demand charges.
produced by solar panels) and store power, then discharge
outside that period, when the business still needs significant
Even if you don’t purchase a commercial solar battery
that power whenever it’s needed.
power, but there isn’t enough sunlight available to offset
storage system outright, you can still benefit from these
that demand with solar? Can those remaining spikes, or
rebates and credits as pass-alongs from your provider.
peaks, in demand be further flattened out to help save a
So how do you know if a combined solar power and
business money? They sure can—and that’s where solar
battery storage solution is right for your business? It really
As you probably know, commercial utility customers pay
battery storage kicks in.
comes down to how your business uses energy throughout
for the power they use (measured in kilowatt-hours, or
Take a look at the graphic above. The lighter blue area
the day, month and year. Most solar providers should be
kWh) and demand charges, based on their highest usage
shows how batteries can be charged in the first part of
able to provide an in-depth analysis of your load profile,
(measured in kilowatts, or kW) within a billing cycle. This
the day; the darker blue area shows where they can be
including how your overall power consumption and spikes
means a business is billed for spikes in usage beyond the
discharged later in the day to reduce, or flatten, those
in demand could be offset by the installation of solar
number of kilowatt-hours they use, which could result in
peaks in demand. As you can imagine, in parts of the
panels and a battery storage system. At the same time, they
hundreds if not thousands of dollars every month in added
country where demand charges are high, the savings an
should be able to give you a clear picture of the rebates,
costs. In some states, these demand charges make up more
organization gets from a 100- to 200-watt reduction in
credits and other incentives available in your area when
than half of a commercial customer’s monthly utility bill.
peak demand can be substantial, making commercial solar
you invest in solar and energy storage for your business.
While alternative sources of energy like solar can absolutely
battery storage a great cost-saving solution.
Thanks to the latest advancements in commercial solar
Financial benefits of battery storage
help offset these demand charges (not to mention the
7am
the
and
5pm
kilowatts
battery storage, the opportunity to save thousands in
can be most effective in reducing (or “shaving,” as it’s also
Is solar energy storage right for your organization?
called) these peak periods, by delivering their stored power
Now, we’ve seen how battery storage works in conjunction
right solutions, be sure to ask how solar energy storage
on-demand.
with solar, and how it can make a lot of sense for a business
can be included with your system, so you can determine
At this point, it might help to see some pictures to get a
looking to reduce high monthly demand charges. Before
whether it’s the right choice for your business.
obvious offsets for power usage), it’s really batteries that
better idea of how demand charges work, how solar can offset them, and how battery storage can help reduce them
of commercial battery storage—and how to figure out whether it might be a worthwhile solution for your business.
available.
Many people assume the only option is an outright
First, let’s look at a typical commercial customer’s load profile, where power is mostly used during the day. In this case, the customer isn’t using solar or battery storage to
As you evaluate commercial solar power providers and the
we finish up, let’s take a look at some of the practicalities
even further in times and situations when solar power isn’t
How do solar batteries work?
demand charges every year is real—and really significant.
purchase of an on-site solar energy storage system, with costs that typically start in the tens of thousands of dollars and go up from there. However, an ever-increasing number of solar power customers are leasing their battery storage directly from their provider, which helps eliminate any up-front costs and avoid ongoing operational and maintenance costs, too. Whether they buy or lease, commercial solar customers who use battery storage can achieve payback in as few as three to five years through a combination of state
rebates
(California,
for instance, has its SelfGeneration
Incentive
Program), federal tax credits
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
Solar Quarter • January 2018 24
Industry Insights WHAT A SOLAR ASSET MANAGEMENT TEAM CAN DO FOR YOUR BUSINESS Once your company has decided to go solar, it’s time to
ROI. Your solar asset management team will take several
think about how you are going to manage the installation
factors into account including:
and upkeep of your solar power system. Since solar isn’t
� Project accounting
your main business but rather a way to cut costs and help the environment, you shouldn’t be expected to handle all
� Taxes and audits
the details surrounding your solar installation. Too often
� Reporting and regulatory management
companies try to keep their solar asset management
� Contractual compliance
in-house, and wind up spending more money than is
� Risk management
necessary for the installation and management of their solar power. The good news is that you can outsource your solar management to a team of experienced professionals who have an in-depth working knowledge of solar power for business, including how to maximize a business’s ROI.
certifications, not to mention all the added costs that come from keeping an in-house team employed. An outsourced team can work with a point person within the company
� M&A transactions
to stay on top of the technical and financial details to
3. Maintenance
maximize your business’s ROI.
Your solar asset management team won’t leave you
5. Decreased Risk
hanging after installation is complete. They will also be
Here are 5 benefits of having a solar asset management
there to help you with routine maintenance, including
team.
preventative
1. Attention to Detail
vegetation and soiling control, and security, all with a
A solar asset management team knows what to watch
only getting the best solar maintenance available, so you
out for during your installation and will take care of every little detail, including ones that you probably aren’t even
maintenance,
corrective
maintenance,
performance guarantee that ensures that your business is can focus on running your business.
The risks associated with transitioning from electric to solar power are greatly minimized or altogether erased when companies work with a solar asset management team. This is because a solar asset management team will be able to foresee potential problems, fix maintenance issues quickly and efficiently, and work with you to keep your costs down and maximize your ROI.
aware of. The details related to your building and project
4. Expertise
You’re turning to solar power to save your business money
influence how your solar panels are installed, and the solar
Some companies opt for in-house solar asset management
and to create a sustainable environment for your employees.
asset management team will be able to determine which
from employees who know something about solar energy,
You shouldn’t need to worry about the details surrounding
installation type to use for your business. An outsourced
but who lack the experience and certifications that come
your solar installation and maintenance. Having a solar
solar asset management team can tailor a plan for your
from an outsourced solar asset management team.
asset management team on your side means you can get
business so you get the service you need for your particular
Hiring a team that specifically specializes in solar asset
back to doing your job, with the assurance that all of your
project.
management and has performed hundreds of installations
solar needs will be met in a timely, efficient manner. By
2. Financial Strategy
means that your energy system will be in the hands of
outsourcing the management of your solar assets you’ll
experienced professionals who will be able to keep your
have the help of professionals who know exactly what
Solar asset managers are experienced at figuring out and
business’s solar power running smoothly without lapses.
needs to be done to maximize your ROI and keep your
Further, turning to an outsourced solar asset management
solar power running as it should.
executing the right financial strategy for business owners who are going solar, so that businesses can maximize their
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
team will save your company money in training, hiring, and
Courtesy - Conergy
Solar Quarter • January 2018 25
Industry Insights Single Axis Tracker- Factors Affecting Gain Solar trackers have seen a tremendous growth in the last few years as costs came down. However, the growth for tracker stayed flat in Indian solar market in 2017-18 in anticipation of fall in module price. Also, developers are still conservative in terms of using a PV tracker in place of a fixed tilt system. One of the reason for this reservation is the difference between tracker gain estimated by PVsyst and the actual gain observed at site. Let’s look at how onsite factors like irradiance, Sun’s position, tracker availability etc. affects tracker gain but still remains a preferential technology with respect to fixed tilt system, especially with higher modules prices. The total solar radiation, often called as global radiation is the sum of direct, diffuse and reflected radiation. While Solar trackers help in maximizing the direct radiation component, the diffuse radiation can be maximized only when the panels are kept horizontally. That’s where a horizontal tracking system which when tracks the sun captures most of the direct radiation, the amount of diffused radiation captured goes down. So on a given day
Fig. 4 Power Distribution Chart
the ratio between two components of radiation decides the gain. Irradiance variation between days and seasons is one major reason for Tracker gain variation. Daily Tracker gain between predicted vs actual data is shown in figure below for one of the sites. The change in sun’s position also causes the tracker gain to vary. The difference in average gain in different seasons for one of the sites is tabulated below. As you can observe the gain during May- August, i.e. during Summer is higher as compared to winter i.e. December-January: Sr. No.
Month-Year
% Gain in Specific Yield wrt FT
1
May-16
25.34%
2
Jun-16
20.06%
3
Jul-16
23.90%
4
Aug-16
21.45%
5
Sep-16
19.85%
6
Oct-16
16.63%
7
Nov-16
8.80%
8
Dec-16
12.38%
9
Jan-17
13.65%
10
Feb-17
19.77%
11
Mar-17
20.57%
12
Apr-17
26.80%
13
May-17
22.21%
14
Jun-17
23.34%
Another reason which causes the gain to vary significantly
Grid Outage
Grid Outage
Date
GHI (Wh/m2)
Actual S.Y. Gain wrt FT
Gross generation considering grid out & load shedding (kWh)
Plant Downtime (Min)
02-June
5788.78
25.31%
28219
695
13-June
6250.27
31.4%
31267
10
21-June
5045.92
16.8%
25353
10
25-June
5255.56
16.7%
25219
5
Other reasons like backtracking, location of installation, proximity to equator, pitch also impacts the overall generation.
In conclusion, solar tracking gain is an
amalgamation of various factors like season, timing of
The total solar radiation, often called
grid outage or clouds, backtracking, efficiency of modules,
as global radiation
Sun’s Position, etc.
is the sum of direct,
between days is the timing of certain events like Grid
Day to day gain is not a right way of analysing the gain of
diffuse and reflected
Outage, Clouds. If the grid outage happens at a time
solar tracker. Overall gain captured over a year is the right
when tracker gives maximum gain like in the morning or in
radiation. While Solar
parameter, and the differences between actual vs PV syst
evening, the tracker gain with respect to fixed tilt would be much lower for that day.
gain are not that high, making Solar Tracker the preferred
trackers help in
choice to improve gains of the plant.
maximizing the direct
maximum gain between the time intervals of 6:00 AM
With over 481 MWp of tracker portfolio in India and
radiation component,
to 10:00 AM and 14:00 to 18:00 PM. However, if the grid
Thailand, Mahindra Susten Solar tracker MSAT100 can
the diffuse radiation
outage occurs before 10:00 AM or after 14:00 PM in the
help reap the benefits of the tracker technology. With
can be maximized only
In the above Power Distribution Chart, tracker generates
evening, the overall tracker gain will be affected. One such example of the same is shown below, where even with higher plant downtime the tarcker gain is higher on a partciular day compared to the other day
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
gains ranging from 18% to 22% over fixed tilt MSAT 100 continues to develop as a viable alternative to fixed tilt for PV plants.
when the panels are kept horizontally. Solar Quarter • January 2018 26
Industry Insights Indian solar sector booming, but now comes the real test ÂÂ Lack of an efficient and reliable T&D infrastructure that can handle the kind of solar power being injected into the grid poses a major challenge in the way of realising the country’s solar potential The power sector is growing like never before to cater to the ever-increasing needs of a rapidly developing economy, and it is solar energy which has emerged as a pacesetter. Registering a phenomenal 32-fold growth in generation in just six years, the Indian solar industry has really risen to the occasion. In fact, it is poised to grow by leaps and bounds the way so many developers are lining up one mega solar power project after another. Up against a tough target of 100 GW by 2022, India’s installed solar capacity is 16 GW now. The impressive growth notwithstanding, challenges remain. One of the biggest hurdles in the way of realising India’s solar potential is lack of an efficient and reliable transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure that can handle the kind of solar power being injected into the grid. Solar in India would have everything going for it had the transmission system been growing in sync with the increase in generation. But the fact remains that our transmission lines have not been upgraded adequately
to
withstand
this
additional load of electricity. If ignored for long, this widening gap will put immense pressure on the existing transmission lines, which may even result in system collapse. The stakes in the solar sector are so high that we cannot afford to have any breakdowns. We have to be constantly at it by upgrading the grids and coming up with new ones to match the outflows created by new solar projects, just as Andhra Pradesh is doing. As and when the Andhra Pradesh government formulates a plan for a new solar project, it has a parallel plan on T&D going. Apart from encouraging private investment, we should rope
in
utilities
and
enable
them to acquire the financial firepower to invest heavily in grid infrastructure and make largescale green electricity purchases. Upgrading
transmission
and
distribution lines assumes utmost importance. The way the solar sector
is
growing,
all
states
should take it upon themselves to upgrade their T&D system in accordance with the increase in installed capacity. If they fail to do so, they could find themselves in a difficult situation like Punjab. Cashing in on the solar overdrive, Punjab is poised to achieve an installed solar capacity of 1 GW soon. But the T&D network in the state has not been upgraded adequately
to
evacuate
this
additional electricity. Though the government has asked the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
Solar Quarter • January 2018 27
(PGCIL) to build separate transmission lines in the form of National Green Energy Corridors to evacuate renewable energy, the PGCIL is likely to put up only inter-state transmission lines, at least in the initial stages. States governments will be required to invest in capacities on their own. Bogged down by grossly deficient transmission capacities, we lose millions of kilowatt hours of
electricity
to
inter-state
transmission
congestion. High T&D losses can make solar power a highly unfavourable proposition. Though the government, in association with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and the PGCIL, is doing its bit to upgrade its substations and T&D lines to reduce T&D losses, the efforts need to be redoubled. We cannot afford to operate with this redundant network of transmission lines. We should gradually upgrade our grid ring system from 440 KV to 765 KV, and then to 1,200 KV, so that electricity can be optimally transferred to the central ring and suitably distributed among power-deficient areas of the country.
generation can falter on a cloudy day, we can, on the
While the best panels in the market convert at the most
The process of upgrade from 66 KV to 132, 220 and 440
contrary, have more solar electricity on a bright and
35% of sunlight into energy, most modules have an
KV should take place simultaneously. We must ensure that
sunny day than is actually needed. This disparity in the
efficiency rate of just 15%. Many companies are working
each unit we generate reaches its rightful destination. The
flow of power poses one of the biggest challenges and
on more and more compact modules and inverters to
entire exercise will prove to be a wasted effort if we are not
calls for massive upgrades or even redesign of the grid
make them more efficient.
able to upgrade our grid infrastructure in consonance with
infrastructure. Since solar energy cannot be stored at this point of time, how we manage the power generated
Solar developers also need to guard against the tendency
the growth in solar generation capacity. When it comes to providing grid connectivity to solar projects, the rooftop segment, which accounts for 40 GW of the 100-GW target for 2022, presents no problem as rooftop solar power is distributed smoothly in a welldefined network. It is the 60-GW ground-mounted solar projects which pose a major challenge as these projects
at a specific point presents an equally stiff challenge. Maintaining grid stability can become a major challenge when a large amount of intermittent solar power is injected into the grid. This problem can, however, be overcome with modern technological breakthroughs and advancements like smart grids and solar energy storage solutions.
of depending too much on grants, especially if they are looking at commercially viable ventures. Though the solar industry is supported by government incentives like lower duties, tax concessions and guaranteed purchases by state utilities, these concessions can be withdrawn as and when the government’s financial considerations get the better of its commitment to clean and green energy. Facing severe
will eventually be connected to the grid. When we talk of
But the situation can become even more challenging when
fiscal deficit, the central government may not stick to its
grid connectivity for solar projects, the one thing that we
the share of renewable energy in total power generation
obligation to fund mega-projects, leaving cash-starved
find lacking is consistency of flow. Be it thermal, nuclear
goes up in due course of time, and yet the constant flow
state governments in no position to buy power from either
of electricity is lacking. While 10% is a challenge, it is still
the Centre or private developers. To counter this situation,
manageable. Beyond that, the task is increasingly difficult.
solar developers should do everything to make their
Since many large solar facilities are in remote locations
businesses commercially sustainable without depending
such as deserts where grid infrastructure doesn’t exist, we
overly on grants.
need to find a viable way to connect to and store solar
State utilities, too, should take responsibility and rise
or hydel power, there is a certain consistency of electricity
Solar developers also need to guard
energy, as and when needed.
to the occasion. The surge in production of solar power
Lack of storage poses one of the biggest challenges in
should be matched with large-scale guaranteed purchases
against the tendency
the solar sector. We will have to create batteries so that
from state utilities despite the drain this costlier source of
whatever power is generated can be stored and distributed
energy puts on their finances. In the long term, the answer
of depending too much
24x7 as per the requirement. There has to be consistency in
lies in transforming state utilities into financially robust
the flow of power to the grid to keep volatile fluctuations
profit-making enterprises through power reforms. On
to a manageable extent. With the integration of storage
a positive note, the gap in the cost of conventional and
facilities, we will also be able to use solar energy at night
renewable energy is gradually narrowing down, thanks to
and regulate its supply during the day. The US and some
technological breakthroughs and economies of scale.
European countries are working on solar batteries to
Last but not the least, fast-paced advancements pose
on grants, especially if they are looking at commercially viable ventures.
flow round the clock. In power plants using conventional sources of energy, the flow of electricity, design and T&D network are all planned as per the estimated outflows from these plants. Thermal power plants can easily burn more or less coal to generate power as per the demand. But this is not the case with solar. While the T&D infrastructure for solar power is designed to withstand peak loads, the inconsistency in flow at different times of the day leaves the potential grossly underutilised and makes power systems prone to breakdowns and volatile fluctuations. This may be a bigger issue for larger solar projects, potentially leading
address the problem of storage. We may have a solution in a couple of years with research going on at a furious pace in these countries.
another big challenge. Every two-three years we have a new technology, which makes the old one obsolete. This is what big developers are doing to stay ahead of
Containing costs through R&D is another formidable
competition. Blessed with abundant sunshine and vast
challenge. Costs will go down if indigenous R&D is
tracts of non-cultivable land to run solar projects, India—
encouraged. But India lacks in R&D. It has a long way
given the conducive business environment and favourable
to go. Let’s pump enough money into R&D and create
government policies—can virtually become a global solar
a mindset for research. Why can’t India develop its own
superpower if it takes these challenges head on.
technologies and export them to build foreign reserve rather than depending on imports and foreign capital? Collaborative and outcome-based R&D can make India a world leader in PV technologies, but we also need closer industry-government collaboration for these technologies to achieve scale. One more area that we need to work on is reducing the costs of modules and inverters, and enhancing their efficiency. As the costs of modules and invertors are going down, so are the bidding prices. Though production costs
mr. Hartek Singh
have declined on account of cheaper capital, technological
Solar energy is intermittent. It cannot provide the same
Chairman & Managing Director,
innovations and falling prices of equipment, inefficiency
amount of power throughout the day. While solar power
Hartek Group
continues to be a major hurdle before the solar industry.
to problems during peak usage periods.
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
Solar Quarter • January 2018 28
Industry Insights Four examples of why you need Solar Asset Management As the Asset Management Services provider for hundreds
information we were
of solar PV and energy storage systems, we’ve seen just
able to pinpoint the
about everything. By actively managing everything from
exact time and cause
inspections to incentives, supported by detailed reporting;
of
TerraVerde ensures that organizations get the full financial
result, we were able
benefit from their systems. We’d like to share four examples,
to provide supporting
where management of these assets resulted in successful
documentation
outcomes.
our client’s successful
If you have questions about your systems, please reach
insurance
out to us here to set up a call with our Asset Management
detailing the cause of
team.
and party responsible
the
issue.
As
a
for claim,
for the power surge
#1 Active Continuous Monitoring results in 15% uptime increase
damage.
One of our school district clients installed 20+ solar PV
value of the production,
systems utilizing 40+ inverters. Through our investigative approach to system monitoring, we were able to determine that many of the inverters were temporarily shutting down
quantifying the
district
Finally, by the
lost
received
weather data from several reliable sources in the same an
additional
“make
whole”
reimbursement for $60,000 in lost solar production.
area, all of which revealed that the District was owed approximately $30,000 in shortfall energy production payments.
changes in current during morning start up. We worked
#3 Performance Guarantee Evaluation Uncovers Unpaid Production Shortfall Payments
with the inverter manufacturer to proactively upgrade the
TerraVerde was recently hired to review the historical
#4 Savings Analysis Provides Transparency to Concerned District
firmware of every inverter in the district, and all similar
performance of several solar PV systems for a California
A school district with a 3-year-old solar PV system was
models for other clients in our portfolio, even those that
water district. Our performance review determined that
concerned that the system wasn’t saving the district money
had not yet been affected. This change permanently
one of the solar PV systems which was under contract
because of a large annual electricity bill True Up. We were
resolved the issue, which otherwise would have reduced
with a 95% performance guarantee had only produced
able to determine, by analyzing energy usage data in
performance indefinitely.
about 90% of the expected energy for two consecutive
each 15-minute interval during a one year True Up period,
years. There had been no shortfall payments made to
that the system was saving the district about 10% of its
the District, and the PPA provider’s annual performance
electricity bill. More importantly, by switching to solar, the
report indicated that the system was performing above the
district had avoided a potential move to a higher cost rate
Another school district client experienced an inverter failure
95% level. Upon further analysis, TerraVerde determined
utility structure, which would have led to a 25% increase in
caused by a power surge from the utility. While the inverter
the Provider’s assessment was based on a miscalibrated
annual electricity bills. This information enabled the district
protected the solar panels from any damage, the utility
irradiance sensor at the PV system’s weather station, which
to stop worrying whether their combined utility and PPA
power surge caused damage to the mechanical equipment
was understating how much sunlight the system was
bills were higher than they should have been, and provided
at the school. By performing analysis of the inverter
receiving. We recalculated the weather-adjusted expected
the transparency that staff, Board and other stakeholders
data, examining the utility voltage data and supporting
energy per the terms of the performance guarantee using
required.
with the same internal error code. A further investigation determined that the inverters were overly sensitive to
#2 Detailed Data Analysis Earns Solar Owner $60,000
O&M
EagleSun SCADA Watching your plant.
Inspired by Nature Powered by Sun
ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified Company
www.avisolar.com
“Avi Solar named No.1 solar PV O&M service provider in the utility-scale segment in India by GTM Research and SOLICHAMBA in their new report 'Global Solar PV O&M 2017-2022: Markets, Services and Competitors”
Wire Free - RF Design
“Plant Data to Cloud with 3G Connection”
Managing Over
700+ MW
Solar PV Assets
“We don't just provide service, we add value to our clients”
35+ Locations 250+ Engineering Team
Want to replace your SCADA? Need String monitoring ?
“Contribute to Environment and Society by Harvesting Energy from Sunlight”
sales@avisolar.com w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
Ph : +91 70229 49911
+91 80235 68018 Solar Quarter • January 2018 29
Company Feature Creating employment opportunities for tribal youth – transforming lives Breaking barriers – Breaking myths
Goldi Green has taken up the opportunity to train and
Not merely a job, but these youth are getting an
employ the tribal youth and indirectly elevate their status
employment which pays much more than what they would
in society.
earn doing rural work or as farm hands.
representing a much needed solution to unemployment in
Goldi Green can almost be termed as an ST (Scheduled
Besides, the Goldi Green facility provides a work
the face of India’s burgeoning population and labour force.
Tribes) institution that trains and enhances the skill
environment where attitude, behaviour, punctuality and
capabilities of the tribal youth, shaping up and transforming
discipline are inculcated in them.
Solar PV is recognized as creating more jobs per unit of energy produced than any other energy source; potentially
It is a myth that the solar industry requires highly skilled and qualified personnel.
them into industry – ready professionals.
A few of our employee testimonials
Ishver Dholakiya
Chetan Shah
“The growth inclusive employment
As a substantial contribution to our Prime Minister’s
opportunities and training offered by Goldi
‘Skill India’ campaign, Goldi Green has been
Green to the tribal youth have proved to be
training these tribal youth, employing them and
highly productive and should be recognized
contributing to their overall personal development
as a trend setter and adopted by other
and social status, empowering them to be financially
players in this industry as well.”
independent and live a life of self-respect.”
Himanshu Chaudhary
Bakul Chaudhary
Himanshu Chaudhary had a burning desire to further his education after completing his HSC, and improve the quality of his life. The son of a
Bakul Chaudhary is an ITI pass out. He joined the Goldi Green facility three years ago as a trainee operator. Three years down the line he has learned most of the manual process of module assembly and he also doubles as a cell tabber when hands are short.
labourer, financial constraints were holding him back from going to college.
become a school teacher, which is his cherished dream. He has also bought a motorcycle on personal finance and successfully repaid the loan.
are today self – sufficient in operating robotic and fully automatic modern machinery.”
Kaushik Gamit Kaushik Gamit works in the module re-working section of Goldi Green’s manufacturing facility but is also an expert at tabbing, stringing and layup.
the contract work was over, he found himself without work. Living in a house with other six
a course of three years, he has completed his
for a B.Ed. which will give him an opportunity to
come from the most primitive background
as an electrician on contract. But as soon as
life. Along with working at the facility, within
He aims to finish his Master of Arts and then go
“It should be noted that these youth who
Having completed his ITI in 2011, he worked
Joining Goldi Green was a turning point in his
Bachelor of Arts.
Bharat Bhut
members of the family, life was tough before Yogesh Gamit
he started working with Goldi Green. The
It’s been four and a half years since Yogesh Gamit is working in Goldi Green’s manufacturing facility. Speaking about the transformation in his life he says ‘Before I began working here, my life was zero. I had no money and had no clue where life was going. After joining Goldi Green, today I am financially independent.’
family could barely make ends meet with just
Yogesh has bought two motor bikes on loans and now his house is fitted with all the electrical appliances, and also a refrigerator (which is considered a luxury in his village). With his continuously increasing salary, he has managed to pay off all his loans and has now also bought a smart phone.
decision.
enough to eat from tilling the small piece of land they owned. As he looks back four years into the past, he agrees that joining Goldi Green was a good
“It feels good to earn money, I am not
“I like the overall environment of this company, the
”I hugely appreciate Goldi Green’s No –
dependent on anyone, I can buy new
company provides last mile bus facility right up to my
Tobacco policy, owing to which, me and
clothes, I have made new friends here and
village and I have made new and valuable friends.
most importantly I could complete my
Besides, in these three years, there has been a consistent
education.”
increment in my salary.”
bad habits.”
- Himanshu Chaudhary
- Bakul Chaudhary
- Yogesh Gamit
Company profile Goldi Green is one of the fastest growing Solar PV Module manufacturing companies, having a 500MW annual production capacity. We manufacture PV modules up to the range of 365Wp using Poly and Mono Crystalline Solar cells in an ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 & OHSAS 18001:2007 certified facility. Offering turnkey services, and the latest in technology, we are also a leading solar design and installation firm undertaking EPC projects.
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
my colleagues have not fallen for any
We are also a leading OEM Solar PV Module company, catering to many international brands across the globe and delivering unmatched quality at a competitive price. Goldi Green has been recognized and certified as ‘Star Export House’ of India by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. Goldi Green is also the first Indian company to be audited by SolarBuyer, U.S.A. Goldi Green is promoted by the Dholakia family, who are also founders of the USD 1.2 billion diamond manufacturing conglomerate, SRK Exports.
Solar Quarter • January 2018 30
Industry Insights What’s the right technology to keep tabs on our increasingly complex webs of power generation assets? Collecting, combining, and distributing renewable energy
Beyond managing the assets at the operational level,
is a complex business on many levels: differences in
SCADA provides the data necessary to make well-informed
frequency and voltage, inconsistencies in power provided
commercial predictions and decisions. The real-time and
by each asset, assessment of the demand for the power,
stored data enable more accurate, data-based forecasting
and capacity of the grid to take it.
both in the very-short term (hours) and near term (days).
Want more complexity? How about generating that power
The internally focused operational data can be combined
via a mix of 100 different wind farms and other renewablegeneration facilities serving multiple energy markets
with the externally focused market and grid-status data to make the best choices about when, where, and who to sell
these portfolios is likely to grow even larger. One of the central benefits of SCADA is its scalability, making it the monitoring and control technology of choice for these
spread across both the US and Canada. This project is
energy to.
actually underway, and it’s an impressive undertaking.
The US/Canada renewable energy project is impressive,
providers can operate most efficiently, increase revenue,
but it’s not unique. Other energy providers are developing
and maximize the return on their investment.
One of the biggest hurdles they have to overcome – and one of the essentials of success – is effective monitoring and
equally large and complex portfolios, and the scale of
vast energy webs. Through SCADA, renewable energy
Courtesy - ABB
control across the system. ABB is knocking down that hurdle with our SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) technology
and
dedicated
applications
for
managing
and integrating the power into electricity grids. A key trait of SCADA is that it works across all types of generation
assets.
geothermal,
hydro,
Wind, solar,
gas … whatever the energy source, we have a standard SCADA template to connect it to the network. The first benefit operators gain is the ability to monitor all of the assets, both from a
production
perspective
(how much energy is each producing?)
and
asset
health perspective (what is its condition?). Answers to these two critical questions ensure operators get the most from each asset and avoid downtime surprises. We make it possible to easily work with that data through a very lean and logical humanmachine
interface
(HMI).
These tend to be highly customized screens that are created with lots of input from the users on the desired look, feel, and function. There are two things that make for a highly effective HMI: they must provide a clear, bigpicture view and the ability to drill down quickly to any point of interest. When you have a portfolio of 100 generation assets, that big-picture view can be quite cluttered. We do a good job of organizing and displaying only the relevant, top-level information. When operators have to explore an issue or take action, they can rely on the to
customized minimize
shortcuts
the
number
of mouse clicks needed to accomplish
an
action
as
simply and quickly as possible.
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
Solar Quarter • January 2018 31
Company Feature SOFARSOLAR ARRIVES IN INDIA ! So why do customers choose SOFARSOLAR inverters? Here are a few reasons: � All SOFARSOLAR inverters have 25-year data storage capability � All SOFARSOLAR inverters can be found in PV Sol system. � All SOFARSOLAR inverters and distributors are insured by US CHUBB Insurance Corporation Company. � All SOFARSOLAR inverters are capable of Wi-Fi communication and have alternative choices of communication. inverters
� SOFARSOLAR
support
intelligent
power management and have built-In protection functions. � SOFARSOLAR inverters have 7 years warranty as
The SOFAR group is No.1 in the GPS industry and has
It was in 2016 that companies in India began to contact
devoted itself to the communications and renewable
the company and enquire about their product offering
energy fields since 2007. Seeing the constantly growing
for use in India. In response to these enquiries, SOFAR’s
global PV industry, the group formed SOFARSOLAR in
marketing people started to explore the opportunities in
2012 specifically to cater for R&D, production, sales and
India and they found that there was great potential for PV
service of grid-tied inverters ranging from 1kW to 7.5kW
installations of all sizes, both residential and commercial,
for residential installations, 4kW to 70kW for commercial
throughout the country. The Indian government was
installations. They also supply AC connection storage
also in favour of PV and was introducing subsidies to
inverters and true hybrid units from 3kW to 5kW and
help potential customers.
other related renewable products.
SOFAR immediately started gaining all the necessary
SOFAR already provides units to more than 30 countries
certifications to enable grid connection and testing
worldwide and has established itself as a leader in PV
the units to ensure excellent performance in India’s
technology, with experienced technical staff always
changeable weather. The marketing department began
looking to improve their inverters. With more than
talking with existing distributors and EPC companies to
3.5GW of units installed and six subsidiaries (Australia,
get a better knowledge of the market.
of installations,
Wuxi, Beijing, India, Shenzhen and Henan), the company
Both residential and commercial projects proceeded
SOFAR decided to
has forged an excellent reputation in the PV industry.
standard. � SOFARSOLAR service engineers are available from India offices � We build Quality. � We offer Quality.
With inverters suitable for all sizes
quickly and the first commercial rooftop project was
increase their
completed by the end of 2016.
SOFAR immediately started gaining all the necessary certifications to enable grid connection and testing the units to ensure excellent performance in India’s changeable weather. The marketing department began talking with existing distributors and EPC companies to get a better knowledge of the market.
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
The size of the project was 280KW, and 7 units of 40KW
presence in the
inverters were used in the finished project. The SOFAR 40000TL unit used has a high-power efficiency and runs
country and become
without problem in India’s variable climate.
part of this rapidly
After the power station was completed, the daily power generation averaged 62MW/h. Such high efficiency not
expanding market.
only provided normal power usage, but also earned the customer extra income. The customer remarked that the technology service and support provided was very professional and very quick. This was an excellent cooperation for SOFAR’s first commercial project and a good beginning for SOFARSOLAR to enter into the Indian commercial PV market. The news of the success of this project spread quickly and helped SOFAR to gain more orders. With inverters suitable for all sizes of installations, SOFAR decided to increase their presence in the country and become part of this rapidly expanding market. The marketing department quickly identified the areas with the most potential for business and two offices were opened, one in Ahmedabad and one in Hyderabad. Both offices have engineers to provide technical support for all customers and are used as a local base for customer relations. Having established the offices, work then began on the formation of a distributor
of SOFAR’s presence and intentions in the Indian market. Stands at exhibitions, advertising and brand awareness programmes followed. SOFAR has long term plans for India, including manufacturing in country and intends to be a reliable supplier for all PV inverter needs for India in the coming years. Managing Director, David Zhong also said: “As the head of the international sales market, I am very confident about the quality of our products and after-sales service. Each machine is tested at different stages during assembly. Our R & D team also constantly improves the technology. The quality and reliability of our inverters has always been our first priority. They are of paramount concern to us. They are what every customer wants and we will provide them.”
network throughout the country. Marketing and sales
- Paul Nicholson
people now regularly visit distributors already in the PV
Country Manager
business and also EPC companies to make them aware
SOFARSOLAR
Solar Quarter • January 2018 32
Product Feature MECO “TRMS Digital Multimeter” MECO introduced new 6000 Count TRMS Digital Multimeter, Model: 153B+TRMS
153B+ TRMS is a 6000 Counts Auto Ranging Digital Multimeter with LCD Backlight & Holster having Voltage Range upto 1000V DC & 750V AC and Current Range upto 20A AC & DC. Basic accuracy for DC Voltage ± 1.0%rdg + 4dgt, for AC Voltage ±1.0%rdg + 5dgt, for DC Current ± 1.0%rdg + 2dgt, and for AC Current ± 1.5%rdg + 5dgt. It has special features like Auto Power Off, Resistance, Capacitance, Frequency, Duty Cycle, Diode Test, Audible Continuity, Data Hold. For details please visit our website: www.mecoinst.com
MECO “TRMS Digital Multimeter” MECO introduced new 6000 Count TRMS Digital Multimeter, Model: 171B+ TRMS. 171B+ TRMS is a 6000 Counts Auto & Manual Ranging Digital Multimeter with LCD Backlight & Holster having Voltage Range upto 1000V DC & 750V AC and Current Range upto 20A AC & DC. Basic accuracy for DC Voltage ± 1.0%rdg + 4dgt, for AC Voltage ±1.0% rdg + 5dgt, for DC Current ± 1.0%rdg + 2dgt, and for AC Current ±1.5%rdg + 5dgt. It has a special features like Auto Power Off, Resistance, Capacitance, Frequency, Duty Cycle, Temperature, Diode Test, Audible Continuity, Data Hold, Max/Min, REL∆ For details please visit our website: www.mecoinst.com
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
Solar Quarter • January 2018 33
Product Feature Secure a Faster ROI with GoodWe’s Second Generation of MT Series Leading solar inverter manufacturer GoodWe has received
inverter can still work normally because of the low start
large orders for its second generation of MT Series string
voltage.
inverters from Indian top solar developers and EPCs with a total capacity of 45MW. Half of them are on the way. Apart from offering a more competitive price, the new MT series inverters are able to provide a continuous maximum AC output power overload of 15% thanks to its boost function, which offers customers a faster return on investment. The new MT Series features a more compact design with less than 20% volume and lighter weight compared to other
“We are pleased to launch our new generation of MT Series inverters which can be successfully deployed on large scale commercial rooftops and ground-mounted solar PV systems,” said Huang Min, CEO of GoodWe. “The compact design of MT Series can help further reduce installation costs while its power boost function provides higher yield and a faster ROI.”
conventional models, which greatly simplifies installation
For price and delivery, contact sales@goodwe.com.
and commissioning, saving time and costs. It also supports
About GoodWe
95mm2 aluminum cables instead of 75mm2 copper cables, which saves investment for AC cables. With capacities of 50 kW and 60 kW, the new transformerless, three-phase GoodWe MT series grid-tied inverters are equipped with four MPP Trackers ensuring that the outputs of connected modules are able to generate the
GoodWe Power Supply Technology Co., Ltd is a leading, strategically-thinking enterprise which focuses on research and manufacturing of PV inverters and energy storage solutions. With an average monthly sales volume of 30,000 pieces in 2017 and over 30 GW installed in more than 100
highest yields even in different PV installation conditions,
countries, GoodWe solar inverters have been largely used
5% output up compared with the string inverters with one
in residential rooftops, commercial systems, and energy
MPP tracker on the market. Moreover, the start voltage
storage systems, ranging from 1.0 to 80 kW. They offer
is 200V, much lower than 600V of other products, which
reliable operation and excellent performance and are
makes our inverter start up earlier to generate more power
highly spoken of by its customers worldwide. Learn more
with longer working time. Even on the rainy days, the
at www.goodwe.com.
Legacy of Expertise. Solutions for the Future J D Ray’s vision to develop indigenous technology led to the conception of India’s first manufacturing facility of the Clip-on type Din Rail Mounted Terminal Blocks. Since then, Elmex has been continuously reinventing technology, bringing innovations to the industry, and developing breakthrough products and solutions. Elmex today exports its products to more than 40 countries and is a global supplier for multinationals such as ABB, Schneider, Siemens, GE and Alstom to name a few. Elmex’s manufacturing plants are ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2015 certified. With technological expertise spanning over five decades, Elmex’s solutions bespeak reliability, safety and impeccable quality.
of system components (BoS) in PV power generating
Featured Product: Details about the product technology
strings and to transfer DC Energy from PV module to final
you would like to feature
output.
Elmex has extended its domain knowledge in Wire
As a solution provider Elmex also closely works with system
Termination Technology to develop a product range
service/ technology portfolio mix
integrators and end users providing on-site training and
suitable for Photovoltaic systems through indigenous
engineering support. As on date Elmex has installed more
Founded in 1963, Elmex is one of India’s leading
design and development. A typical photovoltaic system
than 2 million connectors and is successfully serving 200+
manufacturers of Terminal Blocks, and a pioneer in the
comprises of photovoltaic arrays / PV modules, inverters
solar sites across India!
Electrical Wire Termination Technology. Founder-Chairman
and other associated components such as Connectors,
Introduction: A brief about the company’s current product/
Junction Boxes, Terminal Blocks, Surge Protection Devices, Fuse Protection, Isolation Transformers, DC Isolators, Cables etc. These systems and equipment’s need interconnectivity solutions that meet the electrical, mechanical and environmental specifications conforming to International Standards – EN 50521/IEC 62852 and EN 50548/IEC 62790. Elmex range of PV products comply with International Standards and are approved by TÜV Rheinland. The Elmex range of PV products include PV Junction Boxes (2-Rail, 3-Rail & 4-Rail), PV Connectors suitable for 1000 VDC & 1500 VDC (Straight, Branch, Panel), PV Straight Inline fuse Connectors, PV Wire Harnesses with connectors, DC Fuse Holder suitable for 1000 VDC & 1500 VDC and PV accessories which are used as balance
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
Solar Quarter • January 2018 34
Tech Insights How to choose the best battery for a solar panel system There are certain specifications you should use when
efficiency means you will get more economic value out of
evaluating your solar battery options, such as how long the
your battery.
solar battery will last or how much power it can provide. Below, learn about all of the criteria that you should use to compare your home energy storage options, as well as the different types of solar batteries. The cost of solar is dropping across the nation.
Battery life & warranty- For most uses of home energy storage, your battery will “cycle” (charge and drain) daily. The battery’s ability to hold a charge will gradually decrease the more you use it. In this way, solar batteries are like the battery in your cell phone – you charge your phone each night to use it during the day, and as your phone gets older you’ll start to notice that the battery isn’t holding as much of a charge as it did when it was new. Your solar battery will have a warranty that guarantees a certain number of cycles and/or years of useful life. Because battery performance naturally degrades over time, most manufacturers will also guarantee that the battery keeps a certain amount of its capacity over the course of the warranty. Therefore, the simple answer to the question
How to compare your solar storage options As you consider your solar-plus-storage options, you’ll
it will lose over time. For example, a battery might be warrantied for 5,000 cycles or 10 years at 70 percent of its original capacity. This means
the battery’s capacity & power ratings, depth of discharge
that at the end of the warranty, the battery will have lost no
(DoD), round-trip efficiency, warranty, and manufacturer.
more than 30 percent of its original ability to store energy.
Capacity & power - Capacity is the total amount of electricity
Manufacturer- Many different types of organizations are
that a solar battery can store, measured in kilowatt-hours
developing and manufacturing solar battery products,
(kWh). Most home solar batteries are designed to be
from automotive companies to tech startups. While a major
“stackable,” which means that you can include multiple
automotive company entering the energy storage market
batteries with your solar-plus-storage system to get extra
likely has a longer history of product manufacturing, they
capacity.
may not offer the most revolutionary technology. By
While capacity tells you how big your battery is, it doesn’t
contrast, a tech startup might have a brand-new highperforming technology, but less of a track record to prove
moment. To get the full picture, you also need to consider
the battery’s long-term functionality.
the battery’s power rating. In the context of solar batteries,
Whether you choose a battery manufactured by a cutting-
a power rating is the amount of electricity that a battery can
edge startup or a manufacturer with a long history depends
deliver at one time. It is measured in kilowatts (kW).
on your priorities. Evaluating the warranties associated
A battery with a high capacity and a low power rating
with each product can give you additional guidance as you
would deliver a low amount of electricity (enough to run
make your decision.
low capacity and a high power rating could run your entire home, but only for a few hours. Depth of discharge (DoD)- Most solar batteries need
funds to developing batteries, and they’re expanding into the energy storage business. Tesla is the first mainstream example (with their Powerwall battery), but MercedesBenz and BMW are also bringing standalone batteries to the market in 2017.
the brand of battery you buy and and how much capacity
The most important ones to use during your evaluation are
a few crucial appliances) for a long time. A battery with
are dedicating significant research and development
“how long will my solar battery last?” is that it depends on
come across a lot of complicated product specifications.
tell you how much electricity a battery can provide at a given
As electric vehicles become more popular, more companies
Automotive companies are jumping on the energy storage bandwagon
While capacity tells you how big your battery is, it doesn’t tell you how much electricity a battery can provide at a given moment. To get the full picture, you also need to consider the battery’s power rating. In the context of solar batteries, a power rating is the amount of electricity that a battery can deliver at one time.
to retain some charge at all times due to their chemical
Home energy storage technology and electric vehicles
composition. If you use 100 percent of a battery’s charge,
are a lot alike: they both use advanced batteries to create
It is measured in
its useful life will be significantly shortened.
more efficient, sustainable products that can reduce
kilowatts (kW).
The depth of discharge (DoD) of
greenhouse gas emissions.
a battery refers to the amount of a battery’s capacity that has been used. Most manufacturers will specify a maximum DoD for optimal performance. For example, if a 10 kWh battery has a DoD of 90 percent, you shouldn’t use more than 9 kWh of the battery before recharging it. Generally speaking, a higher DoD means you will be able to utilize more of your battery’s capacity. Round-trip efficiency- A battery’s round-trip efficiency represents the amount of energy that can be used as a percentage of the amount of energy that it took to store it. For example, if you feed five kWh of electricity into your battery and can only get four kWh of useful electricity back, the battery has 80 percent round-trip efficiency (4 kWh / 5 kWh = 80%). Generally speaking,
a
higher
round-trip
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 35
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 36
Tech Insights How to choose the best battery for a solar panel system How long do solar batteries last? There are two ways to answer this question and the first is to determine how long a solar battery can power your home. In many cases, a fully charged battery can run your home overnight when your solar panels are not producing energy. To make a more exact calculation, you’ll need to know a few variables, including how much energy your household consumes in a given day, what the capacity and power rating is for your solar battery and whether or not you are connected to the electric grid. For the sake of a simple example, we’ll determine the size of a battery needed to provide an adequate solar plus storage solution with national average data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The average U.S. household will use roughly 30 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per day and a typical solar battery can deliver some 10 kWh of capacity. Thus a very simple answer would be, if you purchased three solar batteries, you could run your home for an entire day with nothing but battery support.
Proper maintenance can also have a significant effect on
higher DoD and longer lifespan when compared to lead
your solar battery’s lifespan. Solar batteries are significantly
acid batteries. However, lithium ion batteries are more
impacted by temperature, so protecting your battery from
expensive than their lead acid counterparts.
freezing or sweltering temperatures can increase its useful life. When a PV battery drops below 30° F, it will require
In reality, the answer is more complicated than that. You
more voltage to reach maximum charge; when that same
will also be generating power with your solar panel system
battery rises above the 90° F threshold, it will become
during the day which will offer strong power for some 6-7
overheated and require a reduction in charge. To solve this
hours of the day during peak sunlight hours. On the other
problem, many leading battery manufacturers, like Tesla,
end, most batteries cannot run at maximum capacity and
provide temperature moderation as a feature. However, if
generally peak at a 90% DoD (as explained above). As a
the battery that you buy does not, you will need to consider
result, your 10 kWh battery likely has a useful capacity of
other solutions like earth-sheltered enclosures. Quality
9 kWh.
maintenance efforts can definitely impact how long your
Ultimately, if you are pairing your battery with a solar PV
solar battery will last.
array, one or two batteries can provide sufficient power However, without a renewable energy solution, you may need 3 batteries or more to power your entire home for
Batteries used in home
24 hours. Additionally, if you are installing home energy
energy
storage in order to disconnect from the electric grid,
are made with one of three
you should install a few days’ worth of backup power to
chemical
account for days where you might have cloudy weather.
lead acid, lithium ion, and
Solar battery lifespan
saltwater. In most cases,
The general range for a solar battery’s useful lifespan is
the best option for a solar
between 5 and 15 years. If you install a solar battery today, you will likely need to replace it at least once to match the 25 to 30 year lifespan of your PV system. However, just as the lifespan of solar panels has increased significantly in the
storage
A newcomer in the home energy storage industry is the saltwater battery. Unlike other home energy storage options, saltwater batteries don’t contain heavy metals, relying instead on saltwater electrolytes. While batteries that use heavy metals, including lead acid and lithium ion batteries, need to be disposed of with special processes, a saltwater battery can be easily recycled. However, as a new technology, saltwater batteries are relatively untested, and the one company that makes solar batteries for home use (Aquion) filed for bankruptcy in 2017.
What are the best batteries for solar?
during nighttime when your panels are not producing.
3. Saltwater
typically
compositions:
lithium ion batteries are
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panel system, though other battery types can be more affordable.
past decade, it is expected that solar batteries will follow
1. Lead acid
suit as the market for energy storage solutions grows.
Lead acid batteries are a tested technology that has been used in off-grid energy
Proper maintenance can also have a significant effect on your solar battery’s lifespan. Solar batteries are significantly impacted by temperature, so protecting your battery from freezing or sweltering temperatures can increase its useful life..
they have a relatively short life and lower DoD than other battery types, they are also one of the least expensive options currently on the market in the home energy storage sector. For homeowners who want to go off the grid and need to install lots of energy
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storage, lead acid can be a good option.
2. Lithium ion The
majority
home
of
energy
new
storage
technologies, such as the , use some form of lithium ion chemical composition. Lithium are
ion
lighter
batteries and
more
compact than lead acid batteries. They also have a
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systems for decades. While
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 37
A SS-2018
Join one of the Most Prominent Solar Events in India
All India Solar Summit
http://www.aiss.org.in
23rd to 25th Feb 2018, IIA Bhawan Grounds, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, U.P. (India)
I
Welcome to AISS (All India Solar Summit)
ndian Industries Association (IIA) & UPNEDA welcomes you to the world of endless opportunities in one of the world’s biggest solar market. Indian Market is so diverse, so wide and so multifarious that it will not only challenge your ultimate marketing skills, but also make you hone your company strategic tools. There is a market which is seething with an insatiable appetite for power, so what are you waiting for!!! Come and explore this wonderful opportunity, Welcome to AISS- All India Solar Summit 2018. Who should embellish a stall at AISS ? Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Solar System Integrators Ÿ Solar Cell Manufacturers Ÿ Solar Module Manufacturers Ÿ Module Manufacturing Line Suppliers Ÿ Solar Farm Developers Ÿ Solar water Heaters Manufacturers Ÿ Solar Street Lights & Home Systems Manufacturers Ÿ Battery Manufacturers Ÿ Inverter Manufacturers Ÿ Solar BOS(Balance of System) Manufacturers Ÿ EPC Companies Ÿ Solar PV/Thermal Installers and Contractors Ÿ Suppliers of Raw Materials Ÿ Solar Turn Key Solution Providers Ÿ
Solar Enthusiasts you will meet Builders & Solar Farm Developers Construction Professionals Projects Heads Investors Trade Buyers and Business Buyers Industrial Purchasing Managers Engineers and Installers Green Consultants and Experts Local Agents and Distributors Local & National Government Institutions Domestic and International Associations Energy Storage Systems Industry Executives Transmission & Distribution System Operators Policy Decision Makers Media and Publishers Architects Commercial & Domestic End-Users
3 Days Full of Business Opportunities !
Organizer
Indian Industries Association
Co-Organizer
UPNEDA
Special concessions for MSME’s and SC/ST Exhibitors available as per Government Schemes. For Stall Bookings/Visiters Registrations visit www.aiss.org.in or Contact IIA H.O. at 8601855543, 8601855546 or via Email at: contact@aiss.org.in; mkb@iiaonline.in
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 38
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 39
Tech Insights WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED COMPONENTS? The systems shown in figures below are the simplest representations of solar+storage installations. In reality, solar+storage systems may be composed of any number and variety of solar arrays, energy storage technologies, inverters, management systems, and additional backup generators.
Solar Panels Solar panels are obviously an integral part of any solar+storage system. Each solar panel, also known as a solar module, is actually composed of a number of small units called photovoltaic (PV) cells. The cells themselves are composed of a semiconductor material, which is most
a location receives throughout the year. For example, on average Phoenix, AZ receives about 6.6 hours of peak sun per day while Ithaca, NY receives about 3.9 hours of peak sun per day. A derate factor must also be applied to account for all the potential losses in a solar system, such as energy conversion from DC to AC, wiring losses,
But, regardless of complexity, each system will likely follow
commonly made of silicon. When a particle of light, or
temperature effects, shading, dust, and age of the system.
one of the two simplified designs already discussed and be
photon, hits a PV cell, an electron is knocked free. These
A derate factor of about 75 percent is typical of most
composed primarily of the same basic core components: a
free electrons generate a current. It is this current along
systems.
critical load subpanel, solar panels, batteries, and at least
with the cell’s voltage that defines the power that a PV cell
one inverter.
So, a facility in Phoenix, USA looking to offset 10,000
can produce.
kilowatt-hours of electricity per year would need a solar
Critical Load Subpanel
The combined power of all PV cells in a solar panel will be
array with a rated power of at least:
the rated power output of the solar panel. Peak rated power
The critical load subpanel is arguably the most important
varies among manufacturers and solar panel designs, but
(10,000 kilowatt-hours per year) /
component to consider when designing a solar+storage
tends to average around 200 watts per panel. Individual
system. Which loads to include, and which not to include,
panels can then be connected to form a solar array. If an
will determine the optimal sizing of the rest of the system.
array is composed of 10 solar panels, each with a rating
If the same facility was instead located in Ithaca, USA, it
It is usually not practical to design a solar+storage system
of 200 watts, the entire solar array will have the potential
would need a solar array with a rated power of at least:
with the intent to support all of a facility’s electrical loads
to produce 2000 watts (2 kilowatts) of power. Solar arrays
when the grid is down. At this time, installing a battery
can be located on rooftops, carports, and other structures
system large enough to serve all loads is not typically a
or they can be stand-alone, ground-mounted arrays
cost effective solution. This is why it is necessary to install
positioned in open areas.
kilowatts
a critical load subpanel that is separate from the main
There are many different types of solar panels available
This type of calculation can provide a rough initial estimate
distribution panel. The subpanel is very similar to a main
today. The most common are panels composed of either
for the size of solar array a particular facility might require.
circuit breaker panel, except that it only includes loads
monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon cells. The main
A number of good online tools are also available to
deemed critical to a facility during a central power outage.
difference is that monocrystalline cells are cut from a
help determine optimal solar array sizing. The National
In the event of grid failure, only the loads connected
single silicon crystal, so that the entire cell is aligned in
Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) has developed a particularly
through the critical load subpanel will be supported until
one direction; whereas, polycrystalline cells are made up
useful tool called PVWatts (available online at pvwatts.nrel.
power is restored.
of several bits of pure silicon, meaning that individual
gov).
Specific critical loads will vary depending on the needs of
crystals may not be perfectly aligned. Monocrystalline
each facility, but generally include loads such as heating
cells are very efficient in bright, direct sunlight. And though
The Failure of Diesel Generators
and cooling, emergency lighting, a few outlets, elevators,
polycrystalline cells tend to be less efficient in direct light, they can perform better in more diffuse and low light
Most of the critical infrastructure that communities depend
refrigeration, and water pressure pumps. Table 1 provides a sample of some common critical loads and their
conditions.
corresponding power needs.
There are numerous other solar technologies, such as thin
when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, diesel generators
The total expected critical load, the sum of all individual
film and hybrid panels, but when it comes down to it, a
aren’t always up to the task when called upon.
critical loads, can be used as a baseline to specify
10-kilowatt solar PV system will generate a very similar
inverter and battery capacity requirements. In the case
amount of energy regardless of the material it’s made of.
where a facility has one or more high-power critical load
The efficiency of the solar panels and system design will
requirements that may not be well-suited for energy
ultimately determine how much area is needed to produce
storage applications, an emergency backup generator
the desired power output.
can be employed to serve these individual loads while the solar+storage system supplies power to the remaining critical loads.
manufacturers and solar panel designs, but tends to average
shelters—rely almost exclusively on diesel generators
In fact, diesel generator failure is a commonly occurring theme when disaster strikes. High-profile failures at hospitals, resulting in life-threatening conditions for vulnerable patients, have been particularly widespread. Superstorm Sandy led to the evacuation of nearly 1,000 city’s busiest medical centers. Hospitals in New Orleans were crippled after Hurricane Katrina. Irene brought
the northern hemisphere should point due south in order
down hospitals in Connecticut. Tropical Storm Allison left
Shading of any part of a solar array should be avoided at
power varies among
on in an emergency—fire stations, hospitals, community
available for solar panel placement. Ideally, solar panels in
of all PV cells in
panel. Peak rated
(3.9 hours per day * 365 days per year * 0.75) = 9.4
patients in New York when generators failed at two of the
The combined power
output of the solar
(10,000 kilowatt-hours per year) /
factors. In many cases, array size is limited by the space
easterly orientations can work as well and can be better
be the rated power
kilowatts
Optimal sizing of a solar array depends on a number of
to maximize energy generation, though more westerly or
a solar panel will
(6.6 hours per day * 365 days per year * 0.75) = 5.5
situated to produce electricity at different times of the day. all times. If even one cell is shaded, the power output of the whole interconnected array can be significantly impaired. The inclination, or tilt, of a solar panel is another important consideration. The most efficient inclination occurs when panels are aligned at an angle as close as possible to the location’s latitude. Most solar panels are installed with a fixed position. The addition of single or double axis tracking capabilities allows solar panels to alter their orientation throughout the day in order to maximize production along with the changing position of the sun. While these systems have higher efficiencies than fixed-tilt arrays, they are more complex and expensive. Tracking systems are more
Houston hospitals in the dark when generators failed. And failure is not just limited to severe weather. In 2003, a software problem led to massive blackouts across the Northeast, and diesel generators malfunctioned at hospitals throughout the region during the outage. The list goes on and on. Generators
can
fail
for
any
number
of
reasons:
malfunctioning switches, overheating, lack of adequate fuel supplies, improper sizing for loads. A key issue with diesel generators is that they spend the majority of their time just sitting there, doing nothing. When a generator sits idle for too long, it tends to break. There are protocols in place for periodic testing of generators, but testing is generally infrequent and does not typically reflect real load conditions. This sporadic testing provides no guarantee
common in large, utility-scale installations.
that generators will perform properly in an emergency.
per panel. Individual
When space isn’t a determining factor, solar systems are
Despite their flaws, diesel generators still meet the
panels can then be
typically sized to meet a facility’s average monthly or an-
minimum requirements specified by current backup power
nual electricity needs. Electricity needs can be estimated by
supply standards. Because of this, they remain the default
simply examining a facility’s electricity bills over a period to
choice in emergency power for many facility owners.
calculate average kilowatt-hour usage.
However, with their inherent limitations and consistently
The other crucial factor in sizing a solar system to meet
high rates of failure, diesel generators fail to ensure the
around 200 watts
connected to form a solar array.
electricity needs is determining how much solar energy
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level of reliable, resilient power that other technologies can provide and that critical facilities demand.
Solar Quarter • January 2018 40
Tech Insights Batteries The other main component of a solar+storage system is the energy storage technology, usually a battery. A battery is a device consisting of one or more electrochemical cells that converts stored chemical energy into electrical energy through chemical reactions. Each cell in a battery has a positive terminal (cathode), a negative terminal (anode), and an electrolyte. The electrolyte allows ions to move between terminals, which generates a current that can flow out of the battery to perform work. While there are many different varieties of batteries with different chemical compositions, the two most common technologies for solar+storage applications are lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries. Lead-acid batteries have been around since the mid-1800s and remain the workhorse of PV storage applications, though this may change as other technologies continue to evolve. Most people are familiar with the lead-acid batteries found in automobile engines; however, these are not the same as those used in energy storage systems. Car batteries are designed to be almost always at or near full charge, whereas those required for solar storage must be able to withstand frequent deep discharge. These are known as
take into account inverter and other losses incurred when
If a building is installing a solar+storage system from scratch,
DC power from the battery is converted to AC power.
with no existing solar system, it may not need a grid-tied
Battery system charge/discharge round trip efficiency can
inverter, but most systems must have a battery based inverter.
typically be assumed to be about 85 percent. So, for a facility with a total critical load of 2 kilowatts that must be able to supply power for two days, the battery bank will need to have a power rating of at least 2 kilowatts
A battery-based inverter can be known by any number of names: grid-interactive, dual-function, hybrid, bi-directional, multi-function. No matter what you call it, it is responsible for converting energy flowing to and from the battery.
deep-cycle lead-acid batteries. Some of the disadvantages
and an energy storage capacity of at least:
of lead-acid batteries for energy storage applications, such
( 2 kilowatts x 48 hours ) / ( 0.80 depth of discharge x
DC power from the battery must be converted to AC before it
as lower energy density and shorter battery life, are now
0.85 inverter efficiency ) = 141 kilowatt-hours
can be used to power loads, and AC power flowing in to charge
being addressed with the next generation of advanced lead-acid battery technologies.
Again, this is just a rough estimate of the battery storage
the battery must first be converted to DC. Unlike the grid-tied
system size a facility with these needs might require. Some
inverter, the battery-based inverter includes an automated
Lithium-ion batteries are a much newer and still developing
critical loads may not need to be powered 24 hours a day,
transfer switch that enables the system to disconnect from
technology. First used for consumer products like laptops
allowing for the battery capacity to be reduced. Available
the central grid and continue to operate critical loads during a
and mobile phones, lithium-ion batteries have a far greater
battery capacity is also highly dependent on temperature
energy density than lead-acid batteries, which means that
and the rate of discharge.
power outage. When the central grid is up and running again,
a lithium-ion battery can weigh less and require less space while storing the same amount of energy as a lead-acid battery. The term “lithium-ion” actually refers to a wide array of different chemistries, all of which transfer lithium ions between electrodes during charging and discharging reactions. Primarily due to their use in electric vehicles, the cost of lithium-ion energy storage technologies has been decreasing at a rapid pace in recent years. Each
battery
technology
has
its
advantages
both result in less available battery capacity. Both variables should be considered when designing a system. Ultimately,
and
proven technology that is widely available and relatively inexpensive. On the downside, they are quite large and heavy and tend to have a shorter lifespan than lithiumion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are more compact and lightweight and are better suited for frequent cycling. Lithium-ion batteries also typically perform better at low temperatures than lead-acid batteries. For some applications, the increased lifespan and more robust cycling capabilities of lithium-ion batteries will make them a more cost effective choice. As the costs of lithium-ion batteries continue to drop, they are likely to become increasingly cost competitive. Hybrid battery systems are also being deployed that combine the use of lead-acid and lithiumion batteries to capture the benefits of each technology. Like solar panels, batteries can be wired together to achieve desired current, voltage, and power ratings. To determine the optimal size of an emergency battery storage system, a facility must know the maximum power needs of critical loads and how much time the battery may be required to supply critical power. If the system will be required to provide critical power for an exceptionally long period of time, the developer may want to consider adding a generator as a third source of power during extended outages. Two other important factors must be considered when sizing the system: depth of discharge and inverter losses. Batteries can be damaged or have their lifespan significantly shortened if they are discharged too deeply too often. A good rule of thumb for sizing a lead-acid or lithium-ion battery system is to set a maximum depth of discharge of 80 percent. Battery system sizing must also
operation. Larger systems with multiple battery banks may require more than one battery based inverter.
capacity requirements and the choice of technology may
In a DC-coupled system with no grid-tied inverter, the
also be limited by real world considerations, such as cost
battery will usually be charged directly by the solar array.
and space available for placement of the battery system.
Because the solar array produces a DC current, no energy
Inverters
disadvantages. Deep-cycle lead-acid batteries are a
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Lower temperatures and higher rates of discharge will
the inverter will automatically switch back to grid interactive
Solar panels generate DC power and batteries discharge DC power; just about everything else in a building runs on AC power. That’s where inverters come in. Inverters can perform a number of useful functions, but their primary
conversion is needed. A charge controller connected between the solar array and battery is responsible for regulating the DC transfer of solar energy to the battery in these systems. In some cases, the charge controller is integrated with the DC port of the battery-based inverter.
role is converting energy between DC and AC currents.
Battery-based inverters should also be able to handle
There are many inverter manufacturers offering various
the energy from a PV system. Additionally, they must be
technologies, but only two basic types are commonly
sized with the ability to supply power to all critical loads
needed in a solar+storage system: grid tied inverters and battery-based inverters. If a building only has a solar PV system, it only needs a grid-tied inverter. These inverters are sometimes known as grid-direct inverters. They convert the DC power produced by solar arrays into the AC power used by appliances and distributed across the grid. Grid-tied inverters are required to have anti-islanding
simultaneously. The battery-based inverter should be appropriately sized to accommodate the larger of the two values. If the array can produce 4,000 watts and critical loads may require up to 5,000 watts, the battery based inverter should be sized to meet the 5,000 watt need.
Everything Else
protection, which ensures that they will shut down in the
A whole lot more goes into making a solar+storage system
event of a power outage. This is why most solar systems
work than just these few major components.
don’t provide any power when the central grid goes down. Depending on the number of solar panels involved, a system may have one or many grid-tied inverters. Some
It takes fuses, circuit breakers, switchgear, cables and wires, mounting hardware, battery enclosures, and
solar panels even have their own built-in inverters, called
safety equipment like earth-grounding and lightning
micro-inverters. Micro-inverters typically increase the cost
protection to properly get a system up and running.
of a system, but can also improve the overall performance
Added functionality like peak load reduction may require
of a solar array. A system based on micro-inverters can
additional management software and hardware. For
optimize performance for each individual panel, so
systems with large loads or extended outage requirements,
that one poorly performing panel won’t drag down the performance of the whole array. This can be particularly
it may be necessary to incorporate a backup generator.
beneficial when shading or debris can be an issue. Grid-
There are myriad possible equipment combinations and
tied inverters should be sized to effectively pass energy
sometimes getting all these pieces to work together can
from the PV system to building loads or the grid. If a solar
be a challenge. To help avoid compatibility issues, it can
array is rated to produce a maximum 4,000 watts of power,
be beneficial to use hardware from a single manufacturer
the inverter should be sized accordingly.
whenever possible.
Solar Quarter • January 2018 41
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 42
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Solar Quarter • January 2018 43
w w w . s o l a r q u a r t e r . c o m
Solar Quarter • January 2018 44