How to Install a Solar System: A beginner’s guide

Abraham Lincoln once said:

“I’m a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts” 

Increasing prices of fossil fuels, a steep incline in the cost of electricity, and tonnes of carbon emissions in the atmosphere: these are the real facts of the 21st century. 

The exhaustible and polluting nature of fossil fuels is no more just a matter of national crisis, it’s a global issue. 

So, what’s the solution, you ask us – would you believe us that switching to the use of renewable resources such as solar energy is the solution? 

A great mind always acts, but acts upon facts! So, we’re here to offer you the facts about solar energy and a solar system: is installing solar panels worth the change!

This 3-part guide is an honest initiative to bring to you all the knowledge a common man should have when planning to install a solar system at home. Here’s what we have to offer:

• Part 1: shedding light on the truth about solar energy – giving you a chance at making an informed decision
• Part 2: an extensively researched post about all the things you should know before installing solar panels at home
• Part 3: installing a solar system – can you do it on your own

Does this pique your interest? Would you like to be a part of this informative journey? Dive in and the scope of solar will never cease to amaze you henceforth. 

But first things first – we’re busting some myths. It will help you make an informed decision about switching to the use of solar energy.

Top 4 Myths that block the way of installing a solar system at home

Myth number 1: A solar system doesn’t work during monsoons

Those who say a solar system will entirely shut down during the rainy season do not understand the functioning of a solar system. Solar panels use light, not heat to generate electricity. 

Yes, there’ll be less light, but there won’t be absolute darkness. This will only reduce the efficiency of solar panels, but they will still generate electricity.  

Myth number 2: Solar panels reduce the sales value of the property

No, they don’t. It’s the opposite that’s true – solar panels increase the sales value of a property. A house with a solar system sells at a much higher price than properties without a solar system. 

Myth number 3: A solar system requires frequent, expensive maintenance

Although they indeed require maintenance just like any other product, they don’t require it frequently. Besides, cleaning the panels and repairing a faulty part are two different things. And, neither of the two will dig a hole in your pocket.

Any reputed solar installation company will offer its customers an annual maintenance contract (AMC). An AMC is a commitment to offering free preventive and mechanical maintenance of the solar system. 

Myth number 4: A solar system will stop working after 25 years

When we say that it has a life of 25 years, we do not mean that the solar system will die after celebrating its silver jubilee. 

What we mean is that the system will give its best performance for 25 years. A tier-1 module will still work at an efficiency of at least 70% after 25 years. 

That’s a pretty good number considering that the rate of electricity climbs by at least 3% to 5% every year. 

Part 1: Top 5 benefits of installing a solar system at home: Is it worth the investment?

Nothing comes for free, but solar power does: we’re not kidding, solar electricity generated by solar panels is free. Nobody charges a penny for the power drawn from the Sun. And yet, solar energy is somehow still not as popular and widespread as it should have been.

Reason? It’s misinformation and the absence of factual knowledge!

We’re bringing the genie out of the bottle – the benefits of switching to solar energy in order to power up your homes.

#1. You won’t dread electricity bills any longer

Sometimes, you might have heard people telling you that their electricity bills were reduced by thousands of rupees after they installed a solar system. You might have laughed it off – but, they weren’t making it up!

We have the stats:

The electricity tariff/unit in most Indian states is Rs. 8. For some states like Maharashtra, it shoots above Rs. 12/unit too. 

Let’s say, you consume 500 units of electricity/month, and the per unit electricity rate in your state is Rs. 8. 

FYI, every KW of a solar system produces 1400 units of electricity on average/year. 

Let’s assume that you’d install a 4 KW solar system. It will produce roughly 5600 units of electricity/year (1400 x 4).

Here’s what happens:

Your approximate monthly power consumption = 500 units

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Electricity rates/unit in your state = Rs. 8

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Average electricity bill/month without a solar system = Rs. 4000 (500 x 8)

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Yearly units of electricity by a 4 KW solar system = 5600 units (1400 x 4)

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With a 4 KW solar system, you get 466 units of free solar electricity per month (5600/12)

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You have to pay for just 34 units of electricity now (500-466)

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Your average monthly electricity bill with a 4 kW solar system = Rs. 272 (34 x 8)

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Average monthly savings = Rs. 3728 (Rs. 4000 – Rs. 272) 

Please note: Your average monthly electricity bill is plummeting from Rs. 4000 to Rs. 272 with a 4 KW solar system. This saves you approximately Rs. 3.7k/month.  

Isn’t saving Rs. 44k in a year appealing to you?

#2. What you invest in installing solar panels now will soon be recovered

Now comes the biggest question of all – How’s a saving of Rs. 3700/month even significant if I have to pay Rs. 3,00,000 upfront for the installation of a 4 KW solar system?

For those of you who aren’t aware, the cost of a 4 KW solar system is between ₹2,40,000 to ₹3,20,000.

Rs. 3700/month sounds petty in front of a few lakhs, does it?

Let’s walk you through some stats again:

Saving Rs. 3700/month means you’re saving approximately Rs. 44,400 a year

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The cost of the solar system will be recovered within 5 years

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The life of the solar system is 25 years

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After break-even period, you will get free solar electricity for decades

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You’ll save tens of lakhs of rupees in 21 years

Please note: If you don’t have the kind of money that’s needed upfront for the installation of a solar system, SolarSquare offers EMI solutions with zero percent (or very less) interest rate. 

#3. You’ll save enough to financially build the future of your kids

Your savings will be in lakhs – these are some very serious figures. No FD can give you the kind of returns an investment in a solar system can. You’ll have a lot of money to secure the future of your kids. 

Whether it’s for their schooling or college, the money you save from switching to solar will be a huge asset. 

#4. Dreadful lung disorders will get knocked out of the park

“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children” 

↝↝ Aditya Jha

Besides hefty bills, here’s what we have gotten from the extensive exploitation of fossil fuels so far: pollution and deadly diseases. 

That’s not what any parent would wish for their child. A world full of pollution brews nothing but diseases. Pollution and deadly carbon emissions are the primary reasons behind the alarmingly increasing rate of lung cancer and tumors. 

It’s about time you give a lot more than just money to your kids – give them the gift of clean air. Give them the gift of a long, healthy life. Give them the right to breathe!

The only way to knock carbon emissions and diseases out of the planet is by not letting them out in the first place. How do you do that? By switching to the use of solar energy rather than counting on fossil fuels.

#5. The country will benefit, and so will you

World economics is changing after the global adoption of solar energy – India isn’t far behind! The government offers subsidies and incentives for the installation of rooftop solar systems to individual homeowners and housing societies. 

When there’s an opportunity to earn and save, and simultaneously reduce the carbon footprint, a wise man will always seize the day!

Conclusion

Now you’re aware of all the facts and all the myths. You know the benefits of installing a solar system. You also know that the only way to protect your kids from harm is by putting a curb on carbon emissions. 

We’ve kept our promise – we’ve shed all the light in the world on the truth about solar energy. Now that you’re an aware consumer, it’s up to you to make a decision, and we hope that you’ll make the right one. 

If you’re convinced that switching to solar is a definite yes in your life now, stay tuned for the next part. 

We’ll see you soon and spill out more beans.