RENERGY 2014 Solar Training

Date: 14 06 2014

Session 2 (SWELECT)
1. Introduces Swelect and its subsidiaries, their certifications and also their
achievements.
2. Basics of Solar PV
a. Sun is source of all energy directly or indirectly
b. Irradiation is measured in kWh/m2 / day
c. PV is light dependent and not heat dependent
d. Each Silicon based solar cell produces 0.5 V.
3. Solar Rooftop Solutions
a. Standalone systems does not have additional power sources other
than the solar panels. E.g. solar street lights.
b. Hybrid Systems has many sources of energy ( a few systems were
shown)
c. Grid-tied systems Supports load and pumps excess into the grid
d. Bi-directional grid tied systems they are grid-tied hybrid systems
4. Case Study (Solverminds RCC roof)
a. Must know orientation of building as solar system has to be south
facing (true south).
b. Structure should be in optimum tilt angle (approximately the
latitude angle).
c. For RCC roofs conventional fixed tilt structure or elevated structures.
d. Penetrating structures are not always required.
e. Structures are designed to withstand wind speed of about 150 km/h.
f. Even elevated structures are designed to withstand wind loads.
g. Modules can also be installed on metallic sheet roofs provided the
roof is strong enough to support the load.
h. Modules can also be technically installed on asbestos sheet roof, but
it is advised not to install the panels on them.
i. Mounting structures are used to orient the panels to true south
direction
j. Only shade free area of the roof affects the sizing of a solar PV
power plant.
k. Plant Capacity depends upon usable area of the roof.
l. Energy Generation = plant capacity * sunshine hours * performance
factor
i. Energy generation = 80kW *6 * 0.7 = 336 units
ii. Annual energy generation = energy generation* sunny days
= 336*365 =122640 units
m. Designing the PV system
i. Identify critical and non-critical loads.
ii. The load connected to the inverter depends upon the inverter
rating
iii. Rewiring may be required if critical and non-critical loads are
not segregated.
iv. Only surplus energy is supplied to non-critical loads.

v. System should be sized with regard to load (critical load).

vi. Inverter is sized based on load and is sized 20 to 30% above
actual requirement.
vii. Multi-inverter system can be used to segregate loads better
at the cost of reduced efficiency.
n. Issues in PV power plants
i. Weight of components (inverters and battery bank)
ii. Distance between panel and inverters, and inverters and
batteries.
iii. Sizing of cables
iv. Dust accumulation and general maintenance.
o. Question and answer session with the participants

Session 3 (Venugopal Sampathkumar)

1. Solar PV value chain
a. Polysilicon
i. 5 to 6 companies in this segment and none are from India
ii. These require highly sophisticated technology and capital and
scale
iii. These segments are not suitable for low capital investors
b. Cells
i. Investment is not very high, but requires investment in R&D
and also scale is high
ii. It is not suitable for small and medium business
c. Modules
i. Less capital intensive and less technological requirement.
ii. More competition
iii. China is a major competition due to flexible debt, but now
many of these companies have gone bankrupt.
iv. It is a place to enter the market start own company, but
may not be economical or become a reseller for an
established company which is more economical.
d. Inverters
i. These are the brains of the solar systems.
ii. Requires highly sophisticated technology.
iii. This is also not suitable for small and medium business.
e. Mounting Structures
i. Mounting structures depends upon geographical areas.
ii. Capital investment is not high
iii. Designing mounting is more valued
iv. There are many openings in this sector
f. Monitoring Systems
i. Has high scope, and requires less capital but has very high
competition.
g. Balance of Systems
i. Cables, junction boxes etc.
ii. High competition and have to compete with electrical giants
iii. Have to have good strategy to enter as scope is good
h. EPC: Utility scale / Rooftop or Off-grid
i. Scale is different for both utility scale and rooftop scale
ii. Investment varies based on scale

iii. Rooftop has big potential but requires marketing

iv. There is scope for both utility scale and rooftops.
i. Utility Scale Plant Development
i. Selling power to private or government sectors
ii. High capital is required.
iii. Depends upon financial planning
iv. Not advisable for small and medium scale businesses
j. Solar Products
i. Selling of products with usefulness for its entire life cycle
ii. Has good potential as it does not have big players.
2. Solar Value chain can be further divided into smaller parts where small
businesses can enter
a. O & M
b. Design
c. Project Management
d. Construction
3. Testimonial by Sridhar
4. Issues in Solar Industry
a. Subsidies based on government policies
b. Volatility

Session 4 (L&T) Diesel to Solar

1. Study was carried out on performance and economics of solar vs. diesel.
2. Diesel generators produce power at a rate of Rs.17 to Rs.22 per unit.
3. Solar investment has reduced from Rs.20 crores per MW to about Rs.8
crores per MW.
4. Solar may achieve grid parity in couple of years.
5. Hybrid systems and Micro-grid systems are discussed
6. Issues with Solar Diesel Hybrid Systems
a. Instability in system as solar power is intermittent.
b. DG should be run at 50 to 70% load, but should never fall below
30%.
7. Control System monitors and controls the issues mentioned above.
8. Benefits of Solar-diesel hybrids
a. Peak demand restriction savings
b. Load shedding is prevented
c. Lesser operating cost compared to use of diesel only
9. With battery storage, the quality of power and fluctuations is reduced.
10.Financial analysis must be done to determine IRR and see if it is profitable
and feasible.
11.When latitude is less than 10, it is better to have them aligned in east
west axis rather than having them face true south.