Many homes and commercial buildings in both rural and urban areas of India receive abundant sunlight throughout the day. These regions with high solar exposure can significantly benefit from installing solar panels to generate electricity using solar energy. Not only does this save money on electricity bills, but it also minimizes pollution. As global awareness grows about depleting energy resources and increasing environmental pollution, humanity is shifting toward cleaner energy sources like solar power. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Letâ€™s explore some essential aspects of rooftop solar systems that you should be aware of.

What is a Rooftop Solar System (Solar Roof System)?

As you know, energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form to another. When photons from sunlight strike the photovoltaic cells in solar panels, they create an electric current by exciting electrons. This direct current (DC) is then transmitted through wires to an inverter, which converts it into alternating current (AC). We use this AC electricity to meet our daily energy needs. A rooftop solar system involves installing solar panels on residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings. Two common types of rooftop solar systems are used for this purpose: (i) grid-connected systems with battery storage and (ii) standalone off-grid systems.

Types of Rooftop Solar Systems

On-Grid Solar System
In an on-grid solar system, the DC electricity generated is converted to AC electricity using an inverter and sent back to the grid. One major advantage of an on-grid system is that if more electricity is produced than needed, you can send the excess back to the utility grid and later consume those units at no cost during peak hours. This saves both energy and money.
Off-Grid Solar System
An off-grid solar system includes solar panels connected to an inverter and batteries. The batteries charge during the day using solar energy and provide power even at night. In areas where the main grid supply is limited, off-grid solar systems are highly beneficial because they offer battery storage solutions to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

Main Components of a Rooftop Solar System

A typical rooftop solar system consists of several key components including solar panels, an inverter, bidirectional meters, and balance-of-systems (BOS). For better understanding, let us discuss each component in detail.

Solar Panels/Photovoltaic Modules/Electric Panels

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. They are made up of silicon cells, glass, polymers, and aluminum. Solar panels come in various sizes, colors, types, and configurations depending on specific requirements. Panels with 12V or 24V ratings are typically used in off-grid systems, while those with 36, 60, or 72 cells are commonly used in grid-connected systems.

Solar Inverter

The solar inverter receives DC electricity from the battery and converts it into AC electricity so that we can use it for household appliances. Modern inverters also have features such as monitoring software to track performance and efficiency.

Balanced of System (BOS)

In addition to the above components, other essential parts like wiring, junction boxes, meters, fuses, circuit breakers, etc., fall under the category of BOS. These elements help connect all the subsystems properly to ensure smooth operation of the entire solar setup.

Net Metering Explained

With rising concerns over electricity shortages and escalating costs of traditional energy sources, net metering has been introduced across many countries. Under net metering policies, users who produce surplus electricity via their solar panels can feed it back into the national grid. For instance, if your solar panel generates 20 units of electricity but your consumption is only 10 units, you can export the remaining 10 units to the grid. By investing once, households can enjoy long-term savings on electricity bills through net metering programs.

Government Initiatives Promoting Solar Energy

To promote widespread adoption of solar energy, central and state governments have initiated numerous projects aimed at maximizing renewable energy production. Such initiatives not only strengthen the economy but also create new employment opportunities especially at grassroots levels. Farmers often face challenges related to power outages during critical irrigation periods; hence, the government launched the KUSUM scheme targeting replacement of diesel pumps and electric motors with solar-powered alternatives by 2022. Additionally, farmers can utilize idle lands for installing solar equipment thereby enhancing productivity. Furthermore, subsidies offered under the Solar Subsidy Scheme cover a significant portion of installation expenses making it easier for individuals to transition towards sustainable practices. Among these efforts lies the National Solar Mission, which aims to establish 20 GW capacity of grid-connected solar grids and operate 2 GW of non-grid solar systems efficiently by 2022. Through such endeavors, authorities aim to position India as a leader in global solar power development.