Types of Solar power system

Types of Solar power system:

There are mainly three types of solar systems available.

1. On-Grid solar system

In this system, generated output of the solar system will feed to the local grid (Power supply line). The house doesn’t utilize this generated power.

2. Off-Grid solar system

In this system, we store the energy generated by our solar plant with the use of a battery, and that energy is then utilized to power our household types of equipment.

3. Hybrid solar system

- This is the combination of both On-grid and Off-Grid systems. The energy generated by our plant is stored in a battery for backup support in case of grid power failure. After the battery is fully charged, we transfer excess electricity to the grid. India has achieved close to 100% electrification in almost all its rural and urban areas.

Many of the private sector companies like TATA, Reliance, Torrent, and others have also partnered with state governments to provide electricity and have done great work. One of the major problems that occur in rural areas is transmission and distribution losses. Due to these high losses, there are many power cuts and shortage of power occurs in rural areas. To solve this problem, the Government of India has set a target of installing 100 GW of solar power plants by 2022.

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What is On-Grid Solar system?

On-grid, as the name suggests, is connected with the local grid (Power supply line). In India, almost all the rural, as well as remote locations, have grid connections according to the data. Also, India is a country where sunlight source is in abundance. So, On-grid systems are the most common solar system used in India.

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How does it work?

In this system, solar panels convert the sunlight into direct current. This DC current through the cables and then Inverter convert into AC (alternating current). This AC current is directly fed into the local grid and the amounts of units are measured through a meter. Our home appliances will continuously work on the electricity supplied by the local grid company, so we won’t face any interruption in power supply.

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Advantages of On-grid Systems:

• Cost-effective: There is no need for costly batteries thereby lowering the initial expense.
• Benefits of Net Metering: It credits back extra energy and cuts down electricity costs.
• Low Maintenance: Less components (batteries) and lower maintenance.
• Reliability: The grid is backed up in case of power shortages or overnight.
• Sustainable: Eco-friendly (less dependence on fossil fuels, decreased carbon footprint)

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Disadvantages of On-grid Systems:

• ‍Susceptible to power outages: Because it is reliant on the grid, blackouts can interrupt supply.
• ‍Limited independence: Based on nighttime or less sunlight, users will continue to depend on the grid.
• ‍Grid availability needed: Not suitable for off-grid locations.
• ‍No storage of energy: Excess energy is not stored for use when needed, so energy generation always needs to be connected to the grid.

What is an Off-Grid Solar system?

As the name suggests, Off-Grid means the system which is not connected to the local grid (Power supply lines). In India, there are many remote locations and villages where Electricity is not sufficient due to the high transmission and distribution losses in electrical cables. At those remote locations, an Off-grid system is the best solution.

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How does it work?

In simple words, the electricity generated by the solar panels is stored in a battery bank (multiple batteries) in the form of a DC current. According to the use of household equipment, this DC current goes to the Inverter and is converted into an alternating current, which is essential for our home equipment. From the Inverter, it is then connected to the main power line of the house, and we can run our appliances.

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Let’s get some more deep insight into the system:

First, let us see how the electricity flows in the Off-grid system. Now, to understand this system, we divide it into two parts.

1. When it’s a sunny day and panels are producing electricity:

Sunlight having photon particles in it strikes the solar panels. Solar cell with the photovoltaic effect converts these photons into direct current and voltage. DC current flows through the cable to the charge controller. From that, it flows to the Inverter where it gets converted into an alternating current, on which all the appliances work.

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From the Inverter, Ac current flows to the main distribution box of the home and provides electricity. But the question is, what if we don’t want to run any application at that moment? Then where will this current flow? When there is an excess amount of power produced by the panels than needed, this power will flow to the battery bank for future use. The charge controller is an important device that controls the flow of charging and prevents batteries from overcharging. DC disconnect switch is also a safety measure device that lets the current flow in a single direction from the charge controller to the battery bank, not the opposite.

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2. In the night or rainy days when panels are either not working or partially producing output. We saw that in the daytime when panels are generating electricity, the battery bank is charged for the future. DC current from the battery bank goes to the inverter, which converts it into AC current. This current then goes to the appliance of home, and we can lighten up our home.

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DC disconnect switch ensures that currently doesn’t flow towards the charge controller in this process. People generally have to purchase one diesel generator as well because battery backup can work mostly for 3-4 days only. So for remote locations in the rainy season, a diesel generator is a cost-effective option rather than extra batteries to use.

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Advantages of Off-grid Systems:

• Energy Independence: Independence from the grid.
• Remedy for Off-grid Areas: Generates power available for areas without grid access.
• Green: Help reduce carbon imprint, and also utilizes renewable energies.
• Savings on Utility Bills: Zero electricity expenses.
• Customizable: For specific energy needs.

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Disadvantages of Off-grid Systems:

• Initial Investment: We need to spend money on batteries, inverters, etc.
• Batteries Maintenance: Batteries have a finite lifetime and must be replaced.
• Energy Storage Limitations: Excess energy can be wasted and storage may be inadequate on cloudy days.
• Difficult Installation: Design and Installation should be done by skilled professionals.
• Seasonal Variability in Energy Generation: Energy production might be lower in winter or in areas with sun.

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What is a Hybrid Solar system?

Hybrid, as the name suggests, is a mixture of both On-grid and Off-grid systems. In India, there are many remote locations and villages where the grid is connected but power cut-offs are very frequent. So at these locations, this Hybrid system is the best suitable.

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There are two major things about the system:

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1. We will use the electricity from the grid when there is a stable supply. In case of a cut-off, we will use the electricity stored in a battery bank to run our appliances.

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2. The electricity generated by our panels will first charge our battery banks via the charge controller, and excess electricity will go to the local grid. There will be a separate meter that will measure the number of units we have supplied to the local grid. So let’s understand this system more properly by this flow diagram:

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Modern technology advancement has taken one step ahead in this technology of purchasing power from local DISCOM when it’s off-peak time. But we won’t get into it.

Advantages of a Hybrid Solar system:

• Stand Alone From the Grid: Use the stored energy from the sun instead of relying on the grid.
• Backup Power: Relying on battery storage, providing power during outages.
• Store Energy: With a battery, it become possible power during outages.
• Savings on Costs: Lowers electricity expenses by maximizing the use of solar energy.
• Expandability: We can simply add more batteries or panels to expand.
• Grid Support: In some regions, it offers the ability to sell back excess energy to the grid.

Disadvantages of a Hybrid Solar system:

• Initial Cost: Batteries and inverter make it pricier than a standard solar system.
• Installation: Components & Expertise & set up
• Life span of battery: You may have to replace batteries after every 5-15 years.
• Maintenance: More maintenance is required than with off-grid or grid tied systems.
• This not only lead to efficiency loss but also will take an amount of time until the battery is fully charged.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, there are three main solar system types including on-grid, off-grid, and hybrid, each with advantages designed for different energy requirements. On-grid systems are cost-effective and best for regions with consistent power. Off-grid systems offer autonomy, making them ideal for remote locations. Hybrid systems offer the best of both worlds and energy reliability through storage capabilities. Knowing these types enables users to choose the right solution to meet sustainable energy goals.